Translated from the ancient Sanskrit language, Ayurveda means ‘the Science of Life’ (Ayur-Life and Veda-Science) and is regarded by scholars as the oldest form of medicine in the world. It remains as the main healing tradition of the people of India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.According to Ayurvedic belief, everything was ‘one’ in the beginning when the first sound, aum, was heard. Its radiating energy resulted in the creation of the five elements – air, space, fire, water and earth – from which everything in the universe is made.
At the heart of Ayurvedic philosophy is the understanding that our bodies are microcosm of the universe with three universal governing energies at work: vatta (air and space), pitta (fire and water) and kapha (earth and water). These energies are known as doshas, each consisting of unique physical, mental and emotional characteristics.
Achieving balance and harmony of the three doshas is the aim of Ayurvedic therapies and this forms the foundation of health and well-being. The proper constitution of vatta promotes creativity and flexibility, pitta generates understanding and analytical ability, and kapha engenders stability, affection and generosity.
Imbalance in the doshas are thought to distrupt the flow of prana, the ‘life force’ that enters the body through food and breath, and impede agni, the digestive fire that facilitates metabolic processes, supports immunity and produces processes of thought and feeling.
Therapies are mainly divided into curative and preventive, all following the essentials of dosha balancing. A typical regime could include abhyanga (herbal oil massage), shirodhara (oiling of the forehead) and samana (herbal medicine). Intensive treatment such as panchkarma (total purification) therapy will be administered for serious medical ailments.
For those who are in good health, preventive measures through self-care techniques are advised to revitalize and protect the body. The key to Ayurveda is treating the mind, body and spirit as a unified entity to maintain health, balance and harmony.
