Whenever I mention the word Ayurveda, many people respond with, ‘Ayur-what?’ …and with good reason. Not only have many Westerners still not heard this word, it is also a highly complex system filled with many unfamiliar terms and concepts.

In the most simple terms and giving a frame of reference, Ayurveda could be called the science of life and longevity, and it is a sister science to yoga. It is a comprehensive system and mind-body approach for health and wellness that addresses physical imbalances and disease, as well as preventative measures through various lifestyle guidelines and recommendations. It recognizes that every individual is unique and so achieving and maintaining a balanced system will vary from person to person.

It is the preventative aspect of maintaining health that first drew me to Ayurveda. I am a huge proponent of holistic healing and healthy living and Ayurvedic principals provide an effective foundation in this regard. As an example, Ayurvedic thought recognizes that stress is a mind-body reaction. If we look only at the physical aspect or only at the mental aspect, we will not fully address the imbalance that is taking place and thus the imbalance will continue and disease may ensue. In other words, if you are stressed out and overwhelmed by life, just popping that Xanax isn’t going to solve the problem for you. You have to address what is going on physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old system of natural medicine. It is a comprehensive approach to health that encompasses all facets of our life and living. Body, mind, spirit, work. relationships, diet, daily routines, the environment, exercise, spiritual practice and other factors ‘Ayuh’ means life and ‘veda’ means knowledge, thus it is the power and wisdom of nature which cures disease (dis-ease) and promotes health and well-being.  In fact, many of the healing systems we see in the West, such as herbal medicine and polarity therapy, have roots in Ayurveda.

Ayurveda, is both a science and an art. It is the science of health and healing and it is also the art of living in harmony with the laws of nature. It incorporates ancient wisdom in science, philosophy, and religion, with modern developments. Treatment may involve surgery or simply dietary and lifestyle changes targeted to the specific needs of the individual.
An underlying principle is that we all have the power to heal ourself or maintain our health and vitality. One of the ways this is accomplished is through balancing the doshas or fundamental energies.

The Doshas

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the universe is an interplay of the five elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ether. Dosha, which means organization, is then, the organization of these elements into  Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has two predominant elements (yet still contains all of the elements) and a type of energy associated with it.

>Vata (Air and Ether) – the energy of movement.
>Pitta (Fire and Water) – the energy of transformation.
>Kapha (Earth and Water) – the energy of lubrication and structure.

Each dosha also has associated attributes known as gunas, as listed below.
>Vata: Dry, Light, Cold, Rough, Subtle, Mobile, Clear
>Pitta: Hot, Sharp, Light, Liquid, Mobile, Oily
>Kapha: Heavy, Dull, Slow, Cold, Oily, Liquid, Smooth, Dense, Soft, Static, Sticky, Gross, Hard

All three doshas are present within us and the way they are arranged within each of us is our energetic fingerprint. When your individual proportions are in balance, there is health. When they are out of balance, it provokes disorder and disease.

We each also have a Prakruti and Vikruti doshic make up. Your Dosha Prakruti represents the ratio of the doshas at your time of birth, when you take your first breath. It is affected by the season, time, place, date and planetary alignments. Your Dosha Vikruti represents your present doshic state based on life’s current conditions – diet, lifestyle, age, etc.

Daily Routine Recommendations

While this is a very surface level look at Ayurveda, here are some daily routine recommendations you can incorporate.
>Regular bedtime and waking time with enough sleep – 6 to 8 hours and quality, not just quantity of sleep.
>Say a prayer before getting out of bed – such as a prayer of gratitude
>Drink a glass of room temperature (or warm) water in the morning with lemon juice. It is also better to drink beverages without ice, especially with meals.
>Clean the teeth and scrape the tongue.
>Exercise (moderate, just until you perspire) – dance, yoga, cardio, etc.
>Pranayama (breathing exercises) – daily nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) is an excellent calming and balancing breath, but even being more conscious of your breath and taking deeper breaths throughout the day is beneficial.
>Meditation – remember there are countless forms of meditation, including guided meditations to listen to or dance as meditation. Even 5 minutes daily can be beneficial. Start small and build your way up.

Additional Ayurvedic Practices

>Oil pulling – swishing 1 tablespoon of coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil in the mouth for 15-20 minutes for the purpose of removing bacteria – best done in the morning. Once a month or more often if having any issues with teeth, gums, or bad breath.
>Abhyanga, which is a nourishing self massage with oil (I use sunflower or coconut). Some of the benefits include increased circulation, stimulating the body to remove toxins, and smoother, lubricated skin.

Integrating Ayurveda in Your Life

Please note that this is a very general introduction to Ayurveda and I am not an Ayurvedic practitioner. If you have current health concerns, it is recommended that you consult a medical doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner.  To discover Ayurveda’s benefits, one must put the principals into action. It involves incorporating daily habits and lifestyle adjustments to maintain balance and well-being. The changes will not happen overnight, they are an on-going practice, with the potential for a life of balance, harmony, and health.

I have personally been on the journey of incorporating more Ayurvedic principals into my own life. I take it one small step at a time – or one habit at a time. I began with the easier ones such as tongue scraping, breathing exercises, and short, guided mediations. I now have a regular meditation and movement practice as well. In a little over a year, I have noticed better physical, mental, and emotional health and vitality.