What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga, a way of living that promotes balance and wellbeing based on looking at the whole individual and using an approach that works to balance and optimise the mind, body and soul. Stemming from tantric influences, the philosophy is one of the oldest health systems that is believed to originate from the Vedic texts and was practiced for many years before being captured in Chinese writings c400AD where the methods were then adopted more widely.
Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ayur’ meaning life or health and ‘veda’ meaning knowledge or wisdom, together known as the “knowledge of life or wisdom of health”. Ayurveda is based on the idea that all beings are made up of earth, fire, water, air and ether (the five great elements) and are interconnected with the world around them. Working from the position that a person’s natural state is one of harmony, Ayurveda promotes natural health and wellbeing to maintain balance and prevent illness.
There are many facets to Ayurveda which is comprised of eight branches that encompass multiple underlying qualities that thread or bind our experiences together, also known as ‘gunas’. Ayurveda sees a healthy person as having a healthy flow, vital energy and life force ‘prana’ which is essential for wellbeing.
Imbalances of prana or gunas can be identified by understanding an individual’s natural state or dosha which is their unique mind/ body constitution that they were born with, also known as ‘prakriti’. There are three dosha types Vata, Pitta, and Kapha that all individuals are a combination of. Once an individual’s prakriti is identified the next step is to understand their current state, also known as ‘vikriti’. A vikriti test enables a person to identify any imbalances in their dosha and therefore what changes they may benefit from.
To maintain a naturally balanced dosha Ayurveda teaches that living in oneness with nature and the seasonal rhythms plays a big part. Each time of day and season are governed by a different dosha and gunas so understanding the impact that this has on your vikriti and how this aligns to your parkriti is helpful. Each life stage also holds a different doshic energy that can impact a person’s current state and rhythm.
Maintaining doshic balance can be done in multiple ways but the main principle is that like increases like and the opposite will bring balance. Looking at an individual’s lifestyle and routine to understand their diet, mental and physical hygiene alongside their dosha helps to identify ways to prevent an imbalance. Making changes to daily rhythms in line with a person’s vikriti state as well as introducing certain food types, herbs and spices and self-care routines such as self-massage ‘abhyanga’, yoga and meditation can all support improved wellbeing.
Ritualising your day-to-day lifestyle and factoring in dosha balancing principles supports and helps maintain a healthy connection and wellbeing as well aiding longevity.
