What Ayurveda is

Ayurveda is a traditional holistic system of medicine and healing from India, formed over 5000 years ago. Ayurveda translates to ‘life’ and ‘knowledge’, or the science of life. The main objective of Ayurveda is to provide guidance regarding diet and lifestyle, in order to protect the health of the healthy persons and to alleviate the disorders of the diseased. Ayurveda is a truly holistic approach to health with knowledge of complete balance of the body, mind and spirit, including our psychology and emotions on all levels. Ayurveda considers longevity, rejuvenation and self-realisation therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, mantras and meditation.

How Ayurveda Works

According to Ayurveda, the Universe is composed of five basic elements (the panch mahabhutas), namely earth (prithivi), water (apya), fire (teja), air (vayu) and space (akash). As the human body is similarly constituted, there is a fundamental harmony between the ourselves and the Universe. When any of these elements are present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. The foods we eat and the weather are just two examples of the presence of these elements. Ayurveda works by firstly diagnosing the presence of dominant elements in each individual, called doshas. Then it is possible to assess which doshas are aggravated, leading to physical or psychological problems. Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a unique makeup of the earth’s elements and to thereby design a treatment plan that specifically addresses a person’s health challenges. Treatments include diet regimes, herbal medicines, massage, yoga postures and meditations.

The Benefits of Ayurvedic Treatments

• Regulates the body’s doshas via individual treatments plans
• Relieves tension and stress
• Strengthens immunity
• Strengthens digestion
• Regulates eating habits and sleeping patterns
• Encourages and teaches a healthy diet and lifestyle
• Brings the body, mind and spirit into healthy balance
• Allows the client to take more control over their own health
• Encourages detoxification of the body