Ayurveda
An ancient holistic medical healing system. The practice of Ayurvedic system of treatment can be traced back to over five thousand years, from the Vedic era (1500-500BCE) of ancient Indian history.
The term “Ayurveda”, derived from two words “Ayuh” meaning ‘life or longevity’ and “Veda” meaning ‘science or sacred knowledge’, essentially deals with ‘The science of longevity’ or ‘The sacred knowledge of life’. It guides and teaches to lead a happy and healthy life by balancing human nature.
The wisdom of Ayurveda is a hard work compilation of great seers, sages and yogis who used their insights, keen observations, researches and trials to perceive the impact of Nature upon human mind and body. Their revelations, transferred through disciples generation after generation, has become an integral part of Indian Culture and recently gained worldwide popularity and acceptance as an effective system of treatment.
The main component of Ayurvedic theory is the Doshas (the vital energies) that govern the physical and mental functions of human body. Harmony of Doshas results in good health, while imbalanced Doshas cause ill health.
Aim of Ayurveda
“Prayojanam chasya swasthasya swaasthya rakshanam athurasya vukara prasamanah” - Cha Sa
Protect health of the healthy and alleviate disabilities in the Diseased.
Ayurvedic system focuses on two objectives: Preventative aspect and Curative aspect.
Preventative aspect focuses on maintaining health by raising awareness of regimens and protocols for maintaining health and immunity. And curative aspect deals with providing relief to the diseased using herbal remedies, therapies and recommends subtle alterations to dietary habits and lifestyles.
The important aim of life is to achieve the Purushaarthas (the four principles of life – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha), which necessitates a healthy body and mind and that can be attained through Ayurvedic guidance.
Why Ayurveda?
There are several aspects of this medical practice that distinguish it from other approaches to health care:
- Ayurveda describes what is appropriate and inappropriate, happiness and unhappiness, essential and irrelevant for a healthy long life and everything about life.
- Helps man to live a balanced life in accordance with the laws of nature by fostering harmony between individual and nature
- Focus on establishing and maintaining the balance of inner life energies, rather than focusing on individual symptoms.
- Ayurveda recognizes the unique constitutional differences of all individuals and therefore recommends different regimens for different people.
- Prevention is the main focus. Awareness of protocols to stay healthy can prevent many diseases.
- Focus on complete assessment of an individual to determine the appropriate guidelines and treatment protocols – physical, mental, and spiritual.
- Encourages individual to take charge of his/her health, for a better tomorrow; rather than waiting to fall
- This science seeks to heal distortion and disturbances of the mind-body complex, restore integrity and harmony.