My inspiration for writing this post, is that so many people tell me, "I love the concept of Ayurveda, but what do I do with it, and how do I apply it to my life?" This may be a long read, but it will hopefully clear up some of the mysteries of this ancient healing art. Please keep in mind that this is just a birds eye view of a very extensive topic.
Ayurveda is the science of life. It is a deep science, and yet profoundly practical on many levels. It's the science that deals with favorable vs. unfavorable and happy or unhappy measures in a span of life. The main aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of the healthy person and to cure the disease of a sick person. It defines life as a combined balanced state of body, mind, senses and soul.
The ayurvedic blueprint for fulfillment of life, is called the Purusharthas. These 4 pillars are, Artha (appropiate relationship with the material world & financial stability), Kama (appropriate pleasure of life) Dharma (our life's purpose) and Moksha (finding liberation). These are our building blocks for living a fulfilling life. We need to recognize, realize, develop and utilize these, just as if we were building any muscle in our body. We all have these qualities in us, but we need to understand how they work with our own unique human blueprint, and work on them.
Ayurveda has 5 pillars for maintaining health. They are Dinacharaya & Ratrichyara (daily routines), Ritucharya (seasonal routine), Ahara (diet), Vihara (lifestyle) and Nidra (proper sleep). When these pillars are properly maintained, the result is optimal health. Morning and evening self-care routines are necessary for keeping the doshas in balance. Our daily routines need to be adjusted to each season. For example, wake up time during the winter months, may be a little later than in the summer months. Diet and lifestyle also need to be adjusted seasonally. We eat warmer, heartier foods in the winter vs. summer. Sleep is our daily reset. Without proper sleep, it becomes challenging to maintain proper health. Yoga plays a big part in supporting an Ayurvedic lifestyle. It can be part of our daily and seasonal routines.
Ayurveda is boundless in itself. In order to make it adaptable, it is broken down into 8 categories for simplification and understanding. Many Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners in the West, specialize in one or 2 categories of this medical system, mostly because of restrictions. In India, it's very different. The schooling for Vedic doctors is extremely rigorous and they are able to practice without restrictions.
These 8 categories are:
Kaaya Chikitsa - Internal Medicine
Baala Chikitsa - Pediatric Medicine, including health of the mother, health of the child & Gynecology.
Graha Chikitsa - Psychology
Urdhvaanga Chikitsa - Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat and Head Medicine
Shalya Chikitsa - Surgery
Damstra Chikitsa - Toxicology
Jara Chikitsa - Rejuvenation Therapy, Geriatrics
Vrishya Chikitsa - Aphrodisiac Therapy
It's also helpful to have a little background on how Ayurveda came into existence. Ayurveda is an Upaveda of the 4 main Vedas. The Vedas are a collection of ancient text, and the word Upaveda means, "sub-veda." Ayurveda comes from the Atharva Veda branch of the 4 Vedas. No one is exactly sure when the Vedas were written, but it is thought sometime around 1200BC. The Vedas remain a timeless source of wisdom. In fact, the word Veda literally means, "Wisdom." They offer profound insights into the nature of our existence, and how to live a life of fulfillment. Ayurveda is often referred to as, " Wisdom Medicine, or The Mother of Medicine." It is considered the oldest comprehensive medical system in the world. It is believed that Ayurveda got woven into Buddhism at some point, where it then mixed with Chinese Medicine, and eventually influencing the Hippocratic medicine of Greece. Ayurveda is considered the art of living and the art of healing. It is a medical system, designed around the innate intelligence of nature and the 5 elements. Ayurveda imbeds itself within universal intelligence which has proven that any living thing in a state of equilibrium has the capacity to naturally and spontaneously heal itself. It fundamentally seeks to dissolve the root cause of disease and come into balance with the natural state of well-being. Ayurveda also states that the root cause of any ailment, starts with the mind. The mind is the catalyst that sets the body in motion, in one direction or another.
Ayurveda explains that we are little mini pieces of the universe, within the entire universe. This is exactly how the 5 elements play their role. The elements within us are directly connected to the elements outside of us. The elements are air, space (ether), fire, water, and earth. The doshas are comprised of the 5 elements. These elements are called the Pancha Mahabhutas
Vata dosha is the harmonious union of air and space. The quality of Vata is light and mobile, like air.
Pitta dosha is the harmonious union of fire and water. The qualities of Pitta are hot, sharp, and light, like fire. Pitta is also oily and spreading like water.
Kapha dosha is the harmonious union of water and earth. The qualities of Kapha are cold and soft, like water. It is also heavy and stable like earth.
Many of us are familiar with doshas, but how the doshas play a role in each person's life, varies drastically. The concept of doshas is not black and white. We are a combination of all the doshas, and they are constantly fluctuating. However, we all have dominant doshas that make up our constitution. This is called your Prakriti, which is your natural state at the time of conception. Prakriti does not change, but it becomes vitiated (imbalanced) due to lifestyle, age, diet, or environmental causes. This is where we have to look at the big picture to get to the root cause of the imbalance.
The doshas emerged from the 3 vital essences of Ayurveda, which are Prana, Tejas and Ojas. They are directly connected to the doshas. When these 3 essences are strong we experience balance, intelligence, integrity and vitality. Prana is directly connected to Vata dosha. When Prana is strong, creativity is flowing, curiosity of life is vibrant, there's a lightness of heart and quickness of mind. Tejas is directly connected to Pitta dosha. It ls light and has the ability to transform because it can burn all impurities away. Ojas is directly connected to Kapha dosha. It is immune building, grounding and our sustainability. It is often referred to as our, "nectar in the heart."
In Ayurveda, the qualities of everything are taken into consideration. We touched upon the qualities of the doshas. Now let's look at the qualities of the Seasons. Spring is Kapha season which is wet, cold, and heavy. Summer is Pitta season, which is hot, and sharp. Fall is Vata season, which is dry, airy, cold and dark. By Mid-winter the qualities of fall mix with the accumulation of dampness and we have a Vata/Kapha mix building, which brings us back into Kapha season, or Spring.
The qualities of time also affect the doshas. For example, in very early morning, just before dawn, our minds are usually subtle, light, and clear, which is related to Vata. Then we move into Kapha time until about 10am. Pitta time is between 10am-2pm. This is where your digestive system is the strongest. Ayurveda recommends eating your largest meal during these hours because your digestive power is at it's peak. After 2pm the digestive system slows down. We are often eating our largest meal late at night, when our digestive system is transitioning for evening time and preparing for sleep. This is a causative factor in many dosha imbalances. Time also refers to age. When we are young we are soft, full of mucus, and prone to colds. These are Kapha years. From our teenage years all throughout our working years, we are in Pitta time. We are focused on work and responsibilities so we need fire and sharpness to carry this out. In our retirement years, we are in the Vata stage of life, as the body starts to become dry. During these years, we focus on hobbies and special interests to retain Ojas.
The qualities of food is a huge topic in Ayurveda. There are 20 qualities or attributes that refer to food, but these can actually be applied to everything. These attributes are called gunas. They are 10 pairs of opposite qualities. They are Cold/Hot, Sharp/Dull, Light/Heavy, Oily/Dry, Soft/Hard, Clear/Cloudy, Dense/Liquid, Subtle/Gross, Mobile/Stable, and Smooth/Rough. When we start to look at food this way, it increases our awareness of what we are eating, what combinations of food we are putting together, when we should eat, and our attitude towards food. For example, meat and dairy should not be eaten together because they have similar qualities and create heaviness in the body, which can lead to indigestion and a build up of Ama. Ama means toxicity.
Agni is a key ingredient to maintain stability and health. Agni means digestive fire. It is the entity that is responsible for all digestive and metabolic processes in human beings. This is not to be confused with Pitta dosha. Agni is responsible for digestion of everything, meaning food, emotion, and information. Undigested anything turns into Ama, which is mental, physical, emotional and spiritual toxicity. Agni plays a direct role in how the doshas function in the body. If Agni is too high, it will burn through everything and nothing will get absorbed. If Agni is too low, everything will turn to heaviness and it will also affect absorption. This can be applied to everything. For example, if we have too much heat, we get acidity. Acidity is agitation in the body, which can cause agitation in the mind. If the body is depleted, the mind can become depleted.
Absorption of everything is also another important factor for health and longevity. So, Agni needs to function properly in order for healthy absorption into the dhatus. Dhatu means body tissues. They are responsible for the structure of the body and functioning of organs and body systems. Each Dhatu is created from the nourishment supplied from the digestive system. We have 7 layers of Dhatus (tissue). The first layer is Rasa (Plasma), then Rakta (Blood), then Mamsa (Muscle), then Meda (Fat), then Asthi (Bone), then Majja (Bone Marrow), then Shukra (Reproductive fluid). The Dhatus all flow into each other. From a disease perspective, Ama accumulates in the digestive system and overflows into the Dhatus, starting with Rasa Dhatu. The overflow will continue moving into the next Dhatu and keep going, until we take action to stop or slow down the progression. The deeper the toxicity gets into the Dhatus, the harder it is to remove. This is why Ayurveda focuses so much on prevention and rejuvenation therapies.
Ayurveda sees Rasa as a tremendously powerful therapeutic tool that determines, not only how we experience our food, but ultimately the overall flavor of our existence. The word Rasa means taste. It is, in a very real way, the essence of life and quite literally affects every aspect of our being - from structure, physiology, straight through to our overall state of mind and consciousness. The 6 tastes in Ayurveda are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent. Ayurvedic cooking implements these tastes to satisfy and pacify the doshas.
Everything mentioned, revolves around being in sync with our Circadian Rhythm. What is Circadian Rhythm? It is our internal clock that regulates our mental and physical actions according to the rhythms of our environment. Our mental, physical and emotional behaviors are shaped by the earth's rotation around the axis. This is most deeply related to our sleep-wake cycle, but all of our habits will have an affect. The amount of physical activity, food consumption, caffeine, intake, stress, social environment, temperature, and general mood, all plays a part in balancing our Circadian Rhythm.
Daylight vs. darkness has the largest impact. This is why many of us struggle with the time change. It throws our Circadian rhythm out of balance and we have to implement Ayurveda and Yoga practices to help restore the rhythm.
In a nutshell, Ayurveda is seen as "The Mother" and Yoga supports Ayurveda. They are like siblings. Tantra is the energetic thread weaving it all together and supports Ayurveda on the subtle levels. Tantra is another deeply misunderstood topic in the West. The typical understanding is that is has to so with enhancing sexual practices. This is hugely inaccurate. It is considered the highest and most rapid path for transformation, self-healing and uncovering the true self.
I said a mouth full! If your head is spinning...don't worry! This is just a general overview of how the body functions and weaves into the bigger flow of nature and the universe from an Ayurvedic perspective. It is a lot of information to take in, and it probably seems overwhelming. The good news is that we now have a foundation to build on. We can expand on everything. Over time, we can begin to make little changes in our lives that will have a huge impact. As always, my motto is, "Keep it simple." It's more beneficial to make one lasting change, than trying to change 20 things and burnout in the process.
SIMPLE WAYS TO PRACTICE AYURVEDA EVERYDAY:
To your best to get your body into Circadian Rhythm. Bedtime is around 10pm and wakeup time is around 6am.
Avoid Ice in your drinks all the time. I know this sounds crazy, but ice interferes with proper digestion. Room temperature, warm, and hot water aid in digestion and help to eliminate toxicity.
Create a morning routine and an evening routine that are simple enough to do daily. Start your day with drinking a glass of warm water before you ingest anything else, especially coffee.
Have your biggest meal between the hours of 10am-2pm.
Set time aside for yourself! We all need quiet time. It doesn't have to be long, but it is vital.
Become aware of your 5 senses. Observe when they are in overload and implement practices to give them a rest. Maybe have a device free day, once a week.
Move your body somehow. Movement helps the body and mind to recalibrate into it's natural rhythm. Try to move a few times per week.
Find a hobby! Working with your hands, is very soothing to the doshas. Engaging in a creative outlet helps reduce stress and toxicity, and increases serotonin levels.
Try to cook something from scratch once a week. Simple meals are the best for digestion and balancing doshas. Maybe give yourself one clean-eating day per week.
Do something that brings you joy! Reduce what brings you distress! Sounds simple but it's vital!
11. Engage in ONLY uplifting relationships.
12. Clean your space.
Read my other Blog posts for more information about some of these topics, like sleep, exercise, diet and detox. There are several posts about the phycology of living, which are written from an Ayurveda, Yoga, and Tantra perspective. One of my favorite topics to write about is comparing the Western world to the Eastern world! Happy Reading!
As always, if you need more information, or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. ❤️
~ Leelah Lakshmi, AP ~
Ayurvedic Partitioner
This is a photograph of what was on the wall in the Ayurvedic hospital where I did my clinical studies. We saw roughly 300 patients during the time I was there. This was in the city of Kannur, in the state of Kerala, India.
KEEP READING! THERES MORE BELOW!
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AYURVEDIC PSHCHOLOGY.
I WOTE THIS AND POSTED IT ON FB, BUT APPROPIATE TO SHARE HERE AS WELL.
Ayurveda is a vast science, covering every aspect of a human, on all levels. Ayurvedic psychology is one branch of the system. It’s called Graha Chikitsa.
From the ayurvedic perspective, there’s a psychological component to every disease and ailment. It’s only natural because this is a holistic healthcare system, that doesn’t separate the mind from the body. Nothing is compartmentalized, and everything is taken into consideration.
The focus of Yoga and Ayurvedic psychology is to improve sattva guna, and reduce excess rajas and tamas. This is called Sattvavjaya. We also focus on bringing the doshas back into harmony through the Pancha Mahabhutas, which are the five elements.
Treatments may include, Yoga, diet and lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, sleep recommendations, breathing, meditation practices, reading exercises, and self study.
~ Let’s take a look at Adult traumas ~
When we dive into traumas, we look at the big picture, which includes childhood and family life, to get a deeper understanding.
~ Here’s a few general examples ~
The adult with chronic mind-body symptoms, is often the child who was deeply hurt and never gave themselves the opportunity to heal the unresolved wounds.
The adult with chronic migraines, is often the child who grew up in a chaotic home and had to be the peacemaker all the time.
The adult who suffers from burnout, chronic stress and possibly depression, is often the child who didn’t have a childhood. They had to grow up way to fast to take care of others.
The adult with autoimmune disorders, is often the child that was a chronic people pleaser. They learned at a young age that this was the only way they would receive love and feel safe. They are in conflict with themselves.
The type A adult who pushes beyond healthy limits until they break, is often the child who was made to feel not good enough, or not worthy enough, all the time.
The adult who suffers from chronic brain fog, has unhealthy habits, and relationships, and lives in a constant state of being stuck or in turmoil, is often the child whose family, particularly parents, numbed themselves to cope with stress and overwhelm.
The adult with chronic anxiety, is often the child who figured out that hiding their feelings was safer than expressing them. They realized at a young age that avoiding conflict was better than feeling the discomfort of it.
The adult with chronic neck and back tension and possible control issues, is often the child who was ignored, and struggled getting their needs met.
The adult with chronic back pain, is often the child whose emotions were never validated.
The adult with addiction issues, is often the child who was love starved. There’s a lack of nourishment.
The adult struggling with confusion, or lack of direction, is often the child who was never supported or encouraged to express themselves, or tap into their creativity. Perhaps they were shamed for any form of self-expression.
~ Let’s look at Diseases and Conditions ~
This is a very in-depth subject and it’s impossible make blanket statements regarding diseases. The individual constitution and life circumstances of a person will give the specific information needed to work with the ailment.
Here’s a few very general concepts, just to give an idea:
Allergies can be related to a biological sense to protect or stay away from something. It is a bodily fight against an element that is considered invasive.
Anemia can be related to do with feelings of lack, lack of joy in life and feelings of worthlessness. Blood represents joy in the body. Has to do with the function of mom and dad as we are growing up.
Arthritis can be related to not feeling loved. These individuals are often very self critical.
Headaches can be related to a disconnection within the person. The person has treated themselves unfairly.
Hypertension can be related to long term concerns, or unresolved issues.
Osteoporosis can be related to lack of support from family.
Pain, in general, can be related to feelings of guilt and resistance. The guilt wants punishment. The resistance creates more pain.
~ Let’s look at Healing Masculine and Feminine energy ~
We all have both feminine and masculine energy and traits within us. The question is, have they been able to fully develop and unfold into a healthy manifestation of yourself? This is another big topic.
Here’s a general idea:
The female adult who lives with excessive masculine energy, is often the child that had to protect herself and be tough. She wasn’t exposed to healthy feminine or masculine energy. She wasn’t exposed to the strong, yet soft energy of a nurturing female. This often puts females in a mode of reacting through life with masculine energy, which is force and power. A strong female is soft and expansive, but this is not often accepted. Her strength is in her softness. Soft can is perceived as weak, but this is not the case at all. This leads to many health issues for women.
The male adult who lives with excessive masculine energy, is often dominating, aggressive, and insensitive. He can be hyper-analytical, and suppress his emotions. This can be very detrimental to male health. Feminine energy within a male is vital for their health and happiness. Balancing these energies can bring creativity and inspiration into males, which will expand into feelings of empathy and self-love.
#ayurveda #ayurvedicpsychology #ayurvedalifestyle #holistichealthpractitioner #yoga #yogatherapy #holistichealth #bewellbefitbefree
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