Wellness Begins with Your Health
What Is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is more than just a popular form of alternative medicine. It is a system of holistic healing unlike any other. Thought to be over five thousand years old, Ayurvedic medicine teaches us to see the world as it relates to the elements—or doshas—of Vata, pitta, and Kapha.
According to Ayurveda, everyone is born with a mixture of these three doshas. Determining your primary dosha is the first step toward finding your optimal state of balanced, natural health.
The name “Ayurveda,” is derived from two words in Sanskrit, “ayuh” meaning “life” or “longevity” and “Veda” meaning “science” or “sacred knowledge.” Ayurveda’s definition therefore roughly translates as “the science of longevity” or “the sacred knowledge of life.”
Before continuing, take a moment to reflect on what you have learned so far and make a few notes on them as you will circle back to them for your integrative assignment.
Click here to take the free dosha assessment
"Ayurveda is a science of personalized medicine (translated from Sanskrit as ‘The Total Knowledge of Life’ that takes into consideration a person’s individual nature, or Prakriti, and their current imbalances, or Vikriti, to not only establish optimal mental and physiological health for the individual but neurophysiological refinement (enlightenment) as well."
- Christian Parker Boles, STC MIU 2021
Śloka 26
Rid your body of its impurities, let your speech be true and sweet, feel friendship for the world, and with humility seek wealth and knowledge.
At its root, Ayurveda is a holistic tradition and way of living that can help each of us to rid our bodies of impurities and Pragya Aparadh. Ayurveda:
Aligns our inner consciousness
Prevent the cause of disease
Restore Balance and Harmony in one's biological processes
Liberate Pragya Aparadh
Ayurveda encourages you to be an active participant in your own journey toward healing. This involves learning about your relationship with the elements and the unique combinations they create called doshas, Vata, pitta, and Kapha, which we will explore throughout the duration of the course.
First, let’s quickly take a look at Ayurveda’s background.
Ayurveda: A Brief History
The practice of Ayurveda as medicine is believed to date back over five thousand years, during the Vedic period of ancient India. The earliest known references to Ayurveda and its sister science, Yoga, appeared in scholarly texts called “the Vedas," recorded by Vaidya's or Sages, spiritual seers, and teachers of traditional knowledge.
Ayurvedic Principles
Before you learn how Ayurveda can help you, you must first learn how to see yourself from an Ayurvedic perspective. The first step is to understand some key Ayurvedic principles, and lenses through which Ayurveda views the universe.
These Ayurveda basics are foundational tools for:
Interpreting the laws of nature
Identifying various states of health or imbalance
Charting a course toward improved well-being
Examining these core principles will also help illustrate what makes Ayurveda such a timeless art and science.
Want to learn more about how Ayurveda can prevent the onset of chronic illness, reverse aging, and improve your mental and overall well-being?
Email me here to learn more about my next 200-hour Yoga and Ayurveda Teacher Training.
As we Self-identify, we enable an effortless flow in life, which results in a body and mind free from blockage and stagnation. Maharishi Ayurveda utilizes scientifically validated techniques such as TM, yoga asanas, pulse diagnosis, and the individualized incorporation of herbs, spices, sleep, exercise, and dietary recommendations to promote clarity of consciousness (the absence of Pragya Aparadh) as the priority for the individual, followed by a secondary focus on the gut and digestion. - Christian Parker Boles, STC MIU
6 Health Benefits of Ayurveda
Before you learn how Ayurveda can help you, you must first learn how to see yourself from an Ayurvedic perspective. The first step is to understand some key Ayurvedic principles, and lenses through which Ayurveda views the universe.
Click Here to Read My BLOG: Diet According to Your Dosha Watch the IGLiVE Replay Here
Create your Daily Routines using this Worksheet:
Step 1. Print it out or get a journal and answer the questions in the Circadian Rhythm Worksheet at the link below.
Step 2. Take the Dosha Quiz and Assessment and write out what your constitution is. (Remember you have all of them, just in different amounts).
Step 3. What are your goals to create your new routine? Write these in your journal.
Step 4. Hold yourself accountable by making small changes weekly until you reach your goals.
Step 5. DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Change takes time. Be patient with yourself.
