What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient medical system considered to be the “sister science” to Yoga. Due to its origins as a mantric tradition, the exact date of its emergence is difficult to pinpoint; however, Ayurveda is first mentioned in the Atharva Veda around 1200 BCE. The Atharva Veda is one of four ancient texts known as the Vedas, which focuses on spells, rituals, and practices for everyday life, as well as being the first to discuss medicine and disease. In fact, references to plant-based medicine are found in its hymns and verses.
The purpose of Ayurveda is to create and maintain perfect health through a holistic approach. Rather than treating symptoms, Ayurveda works to discover and remove the cause(s) of suffering and disease.
According to Ayurveda, health is not merely the absence of disease; for perfect health, a person must have balance in each of the following six areas:
- Doshas (vata, pitta, kapha)
- Dhatus (vital tissues)
- Agni (digestion)
- Mala (excretions)
- Mana (mind)
- Indriya (senses)
This balance is achieved through three levels of treatment. The first method is reduction of Doshas, which is the main focus of the practice and includes dietary protocols, body work, herbs, and cleansing practices. The second level of treatment is increase of Sattvas (balance, purity) through Yoga practices and mantra. The third level of treatment utilizes spiritual methods, including mantra, yantra, gemstones, and astrology.
So what are Doshas?
To put it simply, Doshas are the way in which the elements show up in the human form. Every individual possesses all qualities of each dosha, but in different quantities. By learning our unique constitution, we gain the ability to recognize when we are out of balance and take the necessary measures to return to equilibrium (sattvic state).
Vata Dosha is comprised of Air and Ether and is associated with movement, breathing, blinking, heartbeat, creativity, and flexibility.
Pitta Dosha is comprised of Fire and Water and is associated with transformation, digestion, absorption, intelligence, and understanding.
Kapha Dosha is comprised of Water and Earth and is associated with structure, lubrication, immunity, love, and forgiveness.
Through Ayurveda, we learn how to arrange our days and weeks to align with the inherent rhythms of the Doshas within our bodies and the entire natural world, as well as practical ways to care for our physical form, like oil pulling, dry brushing, and consuming and producing with our constitution in mind.
