Ayurveda literally translates to the science of life.
Ayu=life Veda=science or knowledge
The purpose is to live in alignment with nature, to harmonize with the rhythms of nature. How to grow old with the rhythms of nature.
Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Literally Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness, Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.
Ayurveda treatment starts with an internal purification process, followed by a special diet, herbal remedies, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation.
The concepts of universal interconnectedness, the body’s constitution (prakriti), and life forces (doshas) are the primary basis of ayurvedic medicine. Goals of treatment aid the person by eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing worry, and increasing harmony in life. Herbs and other plants, including oils and common spices, are used extensively in Ayurvedic treatment.
Both yoga and Ayurveda have their roots in India, where they are commonly practiced as ways to improve the health of both the body and mind and prepare oneself for liberation. Though each of these sciences has been used for thousands of years, they have become more popular in Western cultures over the past few decades.
The Goal of Yoga
During your yoga, practice you work to achieve better mindfulness and awareness of yourself, your body, your mind and the breath. As you work through each pose, you are encouraged to observe how your body feels and bring consciousness to each breath. These practices lead to greater awareness of thoughts, emotions and physical sensations.
Yoga improves not only the body, but mind and spirit as well. You can increase strength, flexibility and balance on the physical and emotional level. Independent research shows that it relieves stress, boost the mood and aids healing. Regular yoga practice can help prevent disease and keep the body and mind healthy.
The Goal of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a full and complete approach to better health — incorporating many different techniques — to bring balance to body, mind and consciousness, and to optimize quality of life and lifespan. Through practices like healthy eating, meditation, massage, therapeutic oils and herbal medicines, Ayurvedic practitioners help bring the doshas (life energies) back into balance, relieving symptoms of disease and dysfunction. With balanced energies (constitution), the body can heal and renew itself.
Ayurvedic theory and its various treatments can have a wide variety of benefits for health, from relieving stress to preventing weight gain, improving mood, reducing hypertension and even reversing diabetes and cancer. By following the tenets of Ayurveda, and living in harmony with nature and the seasons, practitioners can enjoy better physical and mental health so as to improve their yoga and meditation practice and age gracefully.
Combining Yoga & Ayurveda for Holistic Health
Both Yoga and Ayurveda work to relieve suffering in both the body and the mind, as well as on subtle levels, whether it is heart disease or anxiety. Some people describe the relationship between the two disciplines as the focus on external supports like food, herbs and cleansing therapies vs. the focus on internal means such as pranayama, concentration, meditation and samadhi.
They also help improve each other. If you practice yoga, your energy will be more in balance according to the science of Ayurveda. If you practice other areas of Ayurveda — like well balanced nutrition and regular meditation — it will improve your yoga practice.
The Three Doshas:
Pitta energy is linked to fire, and is thought to control the digestive and endocrine systems. People with pitta energy are considered fiery in temperament, intelligent and fast-paced. When pitta energy is out of balance, ulcers, inflammation, digestive problems, anger, heartburn and arthritis can result.
Vata energy is associated with air and space, and is linked to bodily movement, including breathing and blood circulation. Vata energy is said to predominate in people who are lively, creative, original thinkers. When out-of-balance, vata types can endure joint pain, constipation, dry skin, anxiety and other ailments.
Kapha energy, linked to earth and water, is believed to control growth and strength, and is associated with the chest, torso and back. Kapha types are considered strong and solid in constitution, and generally calm in nature. But obesity, diabetes, sinus problems, insecurity and gallbladder issues can result when kapha energy is out of balance, according to Ayurvedic practitioners.
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