Ayurveda originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Ayurvedic medicine (“Ayurveda” for short) is one of the world’s oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems that is a continuously practiced healthcare system in the world. Ayurveda means “The Science of Life”. Ayurveda is a science for practical living. It teaches us through a basic understanding of cause and effect and of the harmonious balance of body and mind. Ayurveda teaches people how attain optimal health through a deeper understanding of their individual qualities in relationship to the qualities of the world around them.

Ayurveda places great emphasis on prevention and encourages the maintenance of health through close attention to balance in one’s life, right thinking, diet, lifestyle and the use of herbs. Knowledge of Ayurveda enables one to understand how to create this balance of body, mind and consciousness according to one’s own individual constitution and how to make lifestyle changes to bring about and maintain this balance.

It’s based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health, not fight disease. But treatments there are treatments geared toward specific health problems.

There are different protocols and recommendations for Ayurvedic herbs, lifestyle, diet, exercise, skin, digestion, lymph and more that can all be organized into the 3 different body types.

Ayurveda teaches us that the universe is comprised of the five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. The various combinations of elements form doshas, which are organizing energies known as vata, pitta, and kapha. Vata is a combination of ether and air. It is dry, light, cold, mobile, and subtle. Pitta is a combination of fire and water. It is oily, sharp/penetrating, hot, and spreading. Kapha is a combination of earth and water. It is heavy, dull, stable, cool, and sticky.

The unique combination of these three doshas in every individual is expressed through current physical, mental, and emotional states of being.

In Ayurvedic medicine, optimal health and even one’s spiritual growth starts with prevention. Prevention is based on a balanced lifestyle that is in harmony with the cycles of nature.

Ayurveda is a Vedic science. Another Vedic science, often called Ayurveda’s sister science, is Yoga. All Vedic sciences are primarily teachings for the development of full human physical, mental, and spiritual potential.

Ayurveda’s base of knowledge was recorded in a large body of Sanskrit literature that originated in India, called the Vedas. The Vedas are considered to be the oldest written recordings that describe, often in metaphors, ancient principles, practices and spirituality.

Ayurveda is an important part of the journey to connecting to self.