Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that has its
origins in the Vedic culture of India. Although suppressed during years
of foreign occupation, Ayurveda has been enjoying a major resurgence in
both its native land and throughout the world. Tibetan medicine and
Traditional Chinese Medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early
Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the
classical ayurvedic medical texts dating back thousands of years.
More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life,Veda =
science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help
people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing
guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the
proper use of our senses, Ayurveda reminds us that health is the
balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind,
and spirit.
Recognizing that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes
three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments:
movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata
(Wind), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth), these primary forces are
responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. Each of us has
a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature. If
Vata is dominant in our system, we tend to be thin, light, enthusiastic,
energetic, and changeable. If Pitta predominates in our nature, we tend
to be intense, intelligent, and goal-oriented and we have a strong
appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, we tend to be easy-going,
methodical, and nurturing. Although each of us has all three forces,
most people have one or two elements that predominate.
For each element, there is a balanced and imbalance expression. When
Vata is balanced, a person is lively and creative, but when there is too
much movement in the system, a person tends to experience anxiety,
insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and difficulty focusing. When Pitta is
functioning in a balanced manner, a person is warm, friendly,
disciplined, a good leader, and a good speaker. When Pitta is out of
balance, a person tends to be compulsive and irritable and may suffer
from indigestion or an inflammatory condition. When Kapha is balanced, a
person is sweet, supportive, and stable but when Kapha is out of
balance, a person may experience sluggishness, weight gain, and sinus
congestion.
An important goal of Ayurveda is to identify a person’s
ideal state of balance, determine where they are out of balance, and
offer interventions using diet, herbs, aromatherapy, massage treatments,
music, and meditation to reestablish balance.
A simple questionnaire can help you determine which ayurvedic element is most lively in your nature. Take the dosha quiz here. Answer the following questions as honestly as possible and see which element(s) receives the highest score.
The Chopra Center's approach to health and wellbeing fuses the
ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with the most advanced developments in modern
allopathic medicine. We offer ayurvedic lifestyle consultations. We also teach the practical tools and techniques of Ayurveda at all of our programs, seminars, workshops, and retreats. Bring Ayurveda into Your Life
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