Ayurveda and the West
People are becoming more proactive with their healthcare and wellbeing. Demand for knowledge about self-care to prevent disease and enhance our quality of life has instigated an increase in modern scientific research about ancient practices like Ayurveda, which translates as the “science of life.” Ayurveda is a science-based healthcare system with practical therapies and techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, massage, mantra, diet, nutrition, Yoga, a sister science to Ayurveda, and the use of natural herbs. Based in Vedic philosophy's timeless wisdom that reconnects people with their environment and true nature. Ayurveda focuses on how we live in a system of interdependent life cycles. Its relevance today is our desire to maintain health and balance in our fast-paced, high-stress world full of emotional upsets, job changes, ever-growing environmental fluctuations and sedentary, technological lifestyles.
To identify, facilitate and guide a personalized protocol an Ayurvedic Practitioner or Vidya (doctor) studies a client’s inherent nature, or constitution. There are three major constitutional types, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which are based on the five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. We are all composed of all five elements. Vata, Pitta and Kapha move in the whole system producing good or ill effects upon the entire system the same way that they affect natural ecosystems in nature. Constitution identification, normal or aggravated states of the elements and the natural makeup of the mind determine how individuals react to their environment, lifestyle, food, diet, herbs and how they display susceptibility to different diseases. Ayurveda is complementary to, not competitive with, Western healthcare and disease management approaches. An Ayurvedic Practitioner is trained to recognize and teach the client about these elemental imbalances in the body/mind before they become pathological, proving to be an asset for self-care, mindfulness and enhanced communication to our health care providers.
The aim of Ayurveda is to focus on correcting the root cause of disharmony and disease by emphasizing the importance of perception during the diagnostic processes, both constitutional and disease-specific, rather than just alleviating symptoms or complaints. While many of our personal attributes are genetic, others are acquired from our diet, climate, living conditions and perceptions. People eat, live and act according to their mental states, their emotions and with unawareness of their environments. These undesirable habits and lifestyles can create conditions which are out of balance with our original constitutions and, as a result, manifest in physical, physiological and emotional disharmonies and disorders. Recognizing to what extent we have deviated from our own personal essential nature and seeing the root cause of unbalance is a key point in how we can increase our self-awareness. We take responsibility for our health and create positive actions for our healing. If we, as individuals, are not aware of our connection to the interdependent cycles and rhythms we see in Nature, we are not able to identify our own nature, or be responsible for ourselves, communicate with our providers, or choose lifestyles that promote our longevity. Therefore, mind/body medicine like Ayurveda and Ayurvedic lifestyle therapies are important, and a foundation for all other healing modalities.
Ayurvedic practices, such as being mindful to our sensory perceptions and experiences, are gifts from Nature to mankind. Sensory information passes from our minds through our intellects and finally to our souls. When all five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch/skin) are healthy, balanced, and cared for properly, our perception is enhanced. According to Ayurveda, health is the state of complete harmony and balance of functional principles, digestive, metabolic, tissues and elimination of wastes with pleasant and vibrant soul, mind and senses. To stay balanced, healthy and happy, the goals of Ayurveda, it is important to recognize our innate intelligence and to recalibrate our bodies, minds and lifestyle in every season and life change.
See a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner or Vidya (doctor) to learn more about yourself and how you can increase your quality of life, heal the nature, and have more mindful conversations when remotely communicating with your health care providers. Voice your true wants about your personal health needs and help promote more research in this Science of life called Ayurveda, allowing for more recognition of its benefits and acceptance in the modern world.