Life Knowledge – Ayurveda आयुर्वेद

What is Ayurveda?

The word Ayuveda breaks down and translates from Sanskrit to English as Ayur meaning “life” and veda meaning knowledge. Put simply, it’s the ancient sister science of yoga on how to skillfully exist.

Since all of creation can be described by 10 pairs of opposites called gunas, ayurveda seeks to harmonize these opposites within ourselves and our environments.

Just as yin and yang are strongest when containing the other, balance between polls of extremes embrace collaboration through duality to harness and optimize energetic flow or vibrational frequency.

By finding harmony on the path of least resistance, suffering caused from blockages or overflows of energy that can leave us feeling depleted are eliminated.

Ayurveda relies on the premise that the entire observable universe including time and space is made up of 3 different energies, known as doshas. These doshas are vata (air/ether), pitta (fire/water) and kapha (earth water). Each dosha has unique recommendations for lifestyle practices to reach equilibrium. Curious what your energetic make up is? Click here for an online Dosha quiz!

“Ayurveda is the science of life and it has a very basic, simple kind of approach, which is that we are part of the universe and the universe is intelligent and the human body is part of the cosmic body.”

Deepak Chopra

Why is Ayurveda Important?

Ayurveda is a holistic practice of wellness for all layers of your being- mind, body, emotions, and spirit.

By recognizing multiple facets of yourself, you gain more insight or understanding of yourself and the patterns you have. In shining a light on existing patterns, you can re-write ones that don’t serve you.

Ayurveda addresses the root of an issue rather than just the symptoms.

Prevention rather than curing ailment and disease is emphasized. Ayurveda can be thought of and incorporated as a lifestyle rather than a quick fix.

“When diet is wrong medicine is of no use. When diet is wrong medicine is of no need”

Ayurvedic Proverb

How Effective are Ayurvedic Remedies?

Modern medicine utilizes many plant-derived compounds in pharmaceutical drugs.

There are plenty of benefits to mainstream pharmaceuticals such as the capacity to replicate botanical chemical structures and efficiently or the clear standards for dosage and purity.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of the world uses herbal remedies.

The healing power of plants is available through a variety of mediums including teas, tinctures, elixirs, topical application salves/balms/lotions/etc, or aromatherapy.

If interested in herbal remedies, it is recommended to consult with a trained herbalist and your PCP.