Ayurveda - Knowledge of Life and Longevity
What is Ayurveda and Where does it come from?
Stemming from the Vedas and texts like the Geranda Samhita Ayurveda is the Holistic medical system of India. It was taught for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples. It is considered a sister science of Yoga and based on the an elemental foundation of five basic elements elements or Panch Mahubuta.
The Five elements then make up the three constitutions of which we possesses a unique combination of these doshas which define our temperament and characteristics.
Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, each person has a particular pattern of energy—an individual combination of physical, mental and emotional characteristics—which comprises their own constitution. This constitution is determined at conception by a number of factors and remains the same throughout one’s life.
Vata is the energy of movement, pitta is the energy of digestion or metabolism and kapha, the energy of lubrication and structure. All people have the qualities of vata, pitta and kapha, but one is usually primary, one secondary and the third is usually least prominent. The cause of disease in Ayurveda is viewed as a lack of proper cellular function due to an excess or deficiency of vata, pitta or kapha. Disease can also be caused by the presence of toxins.
In Ayurveda, body, mind and consciousness work together in maintaining balance. They are simply viewed as different facets of one’s being. To learn how to balance the body, mind and consciousness requires an understanding of how vata, pitta and kapha work together. According to Ayurvedic philosophy the entire cosmos is an interplay of the energies of the five great elements—Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Vata, pitta and kapha are combinations and permutations of these five elements that manifest as patterns present in all creation. In the physical body, vata is the subtle energy of movement, pitta the energy of digestion and metabolism, and kapha the energy that forms the body’s structure.
Vata
Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement — composed of Space and Air. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes. In balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety.
Kapha
Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure — bones, muscles, tendons — and provides the “glue” that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy.
Pitta
Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system — made up of Fire and Water. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India and is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the mind, body, and spirit. It is a holistic approach to health that takes into account an individual's unique physical, mental, and emotional characteristics, as well as their environment and lifestyle.
According to Ayurveda, the universe is made up of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. These elements combine in different ways to create three different types of energy, or doshas, which are believed to govern the functioning of the body and mind:
Vata: Vata represents the elements of air and ether. It governs movement and circulation in the body, and is associated with qualities such as dryness, cold, and lightness. People with a predominantly vata constitution tend to be thin, active, and prone to anxiety and dry skin.
Pitta: Pitta represents the elements of fire and water. It governs metabolism and digestion in the body, and is associated with qualities such as heat, intensity, and sharpness. People with a predominantly pitta constitution tend to be medium-build, strong, and prone to anger and skin irritation.
Kapha: Kapha represents the elements of earth and water. It governs structure and stability in the body, and is associated with qualities such as dampness, heaviness, and calmness. People with a predominantly kapha constitution tend to be sturdy, slow-moving, and prone to lethargy and congestion.
According to Ayurveda, health is achieved when there is a balance between the doshas. When one or more of the doshas becomes dominant, it can lead to imbalances and health problems. Ayurveda aims to restore balance through a variety of techniques, including diet, herbs, massage, and lifestyle changes.
In summary, Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that takes a holistic approach to health and wellness, focusing on the balance between the mind, body, and spirit. It is based on the belief that the functioning of the body and mind are governed by three different