Ayurveda has been practiced for over 5000 years and is said
to be traditional medical system of “INDIA”. Ayurveda means the “science of
life” and it embodies and conveys the deep knowledge given to us by the ancient
rishis (sages) of India. The aim of Ayurveda is to protect the health of a
healthy person. To achieve this it takes care of the health in the following
manner : -
- To protect health during the day (Dincharya)
- To protect health during the night (Ratricharya)
- To ensure right living (Sadvritya) - To live according to one's characteristic (Trividhya Upstumbh )
Ayurveda is based on the
principle that the body is made up of 5 elements – space, air, water, fire and
earth. When all these elements work in congruence they make a healthy person.
While all of us have all the five elements, they are in different proportions
in our body – making a person one of three Doshas - Vata, Pitta and
Kapha. An imbalance in any of these elements makes
a person ill and a realignment of these humours can cure a disease. Doshas are the fundamental and characteristic principle of
Ayurveda. Doshas works as physiological factors of the body and they are to be
seen as all pervasive and subtle entities. Doshas are also known as
"tridosha" , three Humors or three biological elements and are categorized
as Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Akasha (space) + Vayu (air) = Vata
Agni (Fire) + Jala (water) = Pitta
Jala (water) + Prithvi (Earth) = Kapha
Doshas exist only in life state, after death they are left as panchamahabhuta (the origin source of doshas). Vata regulates movement, vibration, and impulse and is represented by the neural activity. Pitta is the principle of biotransformation and is the cause of all metabolic processes in the body. Kapha is the principle of cohesion and functions through the body fluids. When the range of proportion of three doshas remains within the limit or normalcy or equilibrium, it is called optimal health. When these doshas lose their equilibrium and become imbalanced, they lead to disease.
It is truly a holistic healing system working on body, mind and spirit. It works differently from western medicine, which tends to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ayurveda, although compatible with western medicine, focuses on prevention, healing and maintaining health by achieving balance. Instead of simply treating the symptoms, the system of Ayurveda can both prevent and treat disease by eradicating it at its roots before it has a chance to manifest. Each one of us has a unique balance called our prakruti. Your prakruti was established at the moment of your conception and will never change. Your vikruti is your constitution at the present time and it will show where you have strayed from your natural balance. When you are in balance with your own true nature, disease cannot penetrate.
- To protect health during the day (Dincharya)
- To protect health during the night (Ratricharya)
- To ensure right living (Sadvritya) - To live according to one's characteristic (Trividhya Upstumbh )
Akasha (space) + Vayu (air) = Vata
Agni (Fire) + Jala (water) = Pitta
Jala (water) + Prithvi (Earth) = Kapha
Doshas exist only in life state, after death they are left as panchamahabhuta (the origin source of doshas). Vata regulates movement, vibration, and impulse and is represented by the neural activity. Pitta is the principle of biotransformation and is the cause of all metabolic processes in the body. Kapha is the principle of cohesion and functions through the body fluids. When the range of proportion of three doshas remains within the limit or normalcy or equilibrium, it is called optimal health. When these doshas lose their equilibrium and become imbalanced, they lead to disease.
It is truly a holistic healing system working on body, mind and spirit. It works differently from western medicine, which tends to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ayurveda, although compatible with western medicine, focuses on prevention, healing and maintaining health by achieving balance. Instead of simply treating the symptoms, the system of Ayurveda can both prevent and treat disease by eradicating it at its roots before it has a chance to manifest. Each one of us has a unique balance called our prakruti. Your prakruti was established at the moment of your conception and will never change. Your vikruti is your constitution at the present time and it will show where you have strayed from your natural balance. When you are in balance with your own true nature, disease cannot penetrate.
