Ayurveda... eye-you-vader-(think Darth Vader). Firstly, it's getting your tongue around the pronunciation of the word and then there's figuring out what it means.
Basically every time somebody asks me what I do, and I reply "I'm an Ayurvedic Practitioner" I've instantly had this reaction; the glazed over, "did she just swear at me confused look" shining back at me.
"Ayurrr....whaa?" Makes me chuckle every time, because to be honest, I didn't even know what Ayurveda was or how to pronounce it properly when I started studying it either.
So here it is, Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic medical science, spanning back to around 6000 years. Jesus Christ, no before him! In Sanskrit, Ayur means life and veda means knowledge / science - therefore it represents the science of life.
The remarkable thing about the age old practice is it's so scientific based, modern research can prove how this stuff really works on a micro-cellular level, pretty cool huh?
Ayurveda takes us back to the bare essentials of who we really are, using the five elements of the cosmos, which are earth, fire, water, air and space, similar to the Power Rangers, just kidding.
From there, infused are 3 types called doshas which make up those elements, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
We have all 3 doshas in us, but there are predominant ones that shine through and it's examining what ones are our dominant and sub-type doshas. So for example, I'm Pitta, sub-type Vata (most of the time) for those who know me personally, you'll agree I'm both fiery and sharp, but mostly awesome.
Read below for my doshic explanations. Using these doshic principles helps in determining where and what your out of balance in when it comes to your body.
And we are all pretty much out of balance in some way, shape or form, but it's when we are reaaaaally slumped on one side of the see-saw that our doshas show up exhausted or over-worked which presents itself as that unwelcomed guest, disease.
"So what are the doshas again?" well ...Vata represents the air and space elements, it's cold, dry, light and in a person these traits come out as usually skinny, erratic mind, anxious, picks up 100 projects at a time, dry skin, a lover of warmer climates (ps. I'm literally skimming the descriptive surface of an ocean here, as there are supremely more complex, but for the point of this exercise, let me expain in crayon).
Pitta represents the fire and water elements, think heat, spicy, sharp, similar features to that of a fiery red head! They run hot, sweat a lot and are enthusiastic, loving and super organised people.
And lucky last, Kaphas, are the docile types, the memory keepers, the BFG's, the heavy, moist, wet elements that make up the loyal, laid back but don't mess with them because they'll remember it forever type people.
What I adore about Ayurveda is the spiritual realm that encompasses all aspects of the holistic practice. It recognises that we are all one with the cosmos. Every individual life is a microcosm of the cosmos and when we flow our bodies with the seasons, energies and elements we bring our body, mind and soul back into perfect balance and divinity.
Ayurveda is an art of daily living, becoming aware of our environment, cycles, mindset and internal organ system - focussing particularly on the importance of our digestive system.
The philosophy of Ayurveda is an enriching one, and really brings your mind back into focus of the bigger picture of life and that's what I love. However, I have found whilst studying the texts of Ayurveda there are certain cultural and religious roots, which I personally don't always tend to agree with, but that's to be expected from such an ancient medical, spiritual practice that has such deep roots embedded in India.
But the bottom line is there is so much goodness to take from it and to instil into our own lives here in the West, and all over the world.
For more questions or comments on this, hit me up in the contacts box..