Applying Ayurveda in daily life
Ayurveda is fundamentally the art of balance and recognises that true healing happens when we treat the whole body – mind, body and spirit.
Ayurveda combines the Sanskrit words Ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge) thus Ayurveda is translated as the Science of Life.
Based on nature, Ayurveda is a fountain of knowledge that has developed over the past 5,000 years to become one of the leading philosophies in the worlds’ holistic health industry today.
It is comprised of many aspects including astrology, herbal medicines and treatments, and yoga.
Ayurveda theory believes that health results from harmony within one’s self. To be healthy, harmony must exist between your purpose of being, your thoughts, your feelings, and your physical actions. Your purpose is peaceful, yet if your thoughts are fearful and emotions negative, your physical body will manifest some dis-ease.
In Ayurveda, the manifestation of disease is actually considered to be a good sign, because it reveals a previously hidden aspect of oneself, an aspect to be healed. Healing comes from seeing adversity as a challenge, by taking back our negative thoughts about people and events. We can transform disease into a ‘perfect opportunity’.
My discovery of Ayurveda
I first came across Ayurveda in my Yoga Chi Gung Teacher Training in 1996 with my teacher Grant Woolven. Ayurveda was a foreign concept for me and immediately upon learning all about it I was hooked. I then met the esteemed Ayurvedic Dr. Ajit from Planet Ayurveda and began to adjust my way of life, my eating habits and really saw how Ayurveda and Yoga are a sister science.
For me bringing aspects of Ayurvedic philosophy into my life has brought balance, equanimity and a better digestive system and outlook on life.
The doshas and prakriti
At the soul of Ayurveda is the tri-dosha system known as pitta (fire and air), kapha (earth and water) and vata (air and ether).
It is believed that the universe is made up from these five elements and every person has a unique proportion of all three doshas. This is known as prakriti or mind-body constitution.
Prakriti is the genetic map that is responsible for one’s physiological and personality characteristics.
While your mind-body constitution is analysed, an Ayurvedic doctor might just focus on one or sometimes two doshas which are predominant. The intention of the Ayurvedic doctor is to bring you back to your original proportion from the present imbalances, which are impacting your body and mind at that particular time in your life.
The history of Ayurveda
Ayurveda was discovered and developed by ancient Indian holy men known as ‘rishis’. Due to their connectedness to both the spiritual and physical worlds, they were able to discern the basic nature of the universe and man’s place on it.
They developed an oral tradition of knowledge that was fluid and allowed for growth. As new therapies and herbs were discovered and trade brought new information from other cultures, Ayurveda was built.
Ayurveda had a profound effect on the medicine of Tibet, China, Persia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Indonesia. Ayurveda was suppressed in India during British colonial rule. In 1833, the East India Company closed and banned all Ayurvedic colleges.
For almost 100 years, Ayurveda was known as ‘the poor man’s medicine’, practised only in rural areas where western medicine was too expensive or unavailable. With India’s independence, Ayurveda has re-emerged to gain equal footing with western medicine.
Finding out your dosha or doshas
The experience of having your doshas balanced can be life transforming, it certainly was for me and I encourage you to find out what your dosha type is.
There are numerous online quizzes that you can do but ultimately the best way is to have an Ayurvedic doctor do a pulse diagnosis.
Once you find out your dosha, or doshas, and whether you are imbalanced, then you can adjust your eating habits and lifestyle accordingly.
Learning more
If you would like to do your own research about applying Ayurveda in your daily life, below is a resource list of my favourite books on Ayurveda.
I’ve also mentioned a clinic in Brisbane – Back2Health – if you would like to see an Ayurvedic doctor for a pulse reading.
I don’t receive any benefits from referrals, I just like to share my experiences and research to help my friends and students.
Beautiful book with great self-care recipes to take care of your face and body naturally. Some great home-made recipes in here.
More in-depth with loads of information, especially for female health.
I love this book, great recipes for seasonal eating, plus yoga poses and easy to follow information.
https://www.back2health.net.au/
Jo Formosa started this clinic more than 15 years ago now. I helped her set up and get started. She and her team have a wealth of information, direct and to the point.