Charaka the Author of the Charaka Samhita (one of the ancient Ayurvedic Texts) says, “ There is no use in having a long life if one is not healthy enough to enjoy it!”
Ayurveda is considered to be the oldest healing medicine method with historical roots in India. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means `The Science of Life.’ Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and it stems from the ancient Vedic culture. For thousands of years it existed as an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples. Some of this knowledge was set to print a few thousand years ago, but much of it is inaccessible.
Ayurveda takes a holistic approach on health and can be managed by balance in one’s life. This includes right thinking, diet, lifestyle and the use of herbs. Knowledge of Ayurveda enables one to understand how to create this balance of body, mind and consciousness according to one’s own individual constitution. One has to make lifestyle changes to bring about and maintain this balance.
In today’s world we meet many suffering from stress, anxiety, disease which is a direct consequence of a life and body out of balance.
As per Sushruti Samhita,
sama dosa sama agnischa sama dhatu mala kriyaaha prasanna atma indriya manaha svastha iti abhidheeyate
One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas (primary life forces) balanced agni (fire of digestion) properly formed dhatus (tissues) proper elimination of malas (waste products) well functioning bodily processes and whose mind, soul and senses are at peace is a healthy person.
Concept of Gunas
All that we experience has certain qualities. Be it a physical substance, a thought or an emotion. The ancient texts of Ayurveda classify these qualities as `gunas’ (positive quality) in Sanskrit into 10 pairs of opposites (e.g light vs heavy, sweet vs sour). As per Ayurveda, everything in the universe can be described in terms of these gunas including the doshas.
The foundation of Ayurvedic treatment relies upon recognizing when gunas have become excessive or deficient, as this is known to cause doshic imbalance and lead to disease. Ayurveda applies the opposite qualities to return to balance
Vata, Pitta and Kapha
The five elements of nature air, fire, water, ether and earth are around and within us. We connect with these via our five sense realms. Ayurveda groups these five elements into three basic types of energy and functional principles that are present in everybody and everything. These principles are classified in the Sanskrit words Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
These three are a combination and permutations of the five elements of nature that manifest as patterns present in all creation. In the physical body, vata is the subtle energy of movement, pitta the energy of digestion and metabolism, and kapha the energy that forms the body’s structure.
In Ayurveda, body, mind and consciousness are believed to be working together in maintaining. To learn how to balance the body, mind and consciousness requires an understanding of how vata, pitta and kapha work together.
Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement — composed of Space and Air. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes. In balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety.
Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system — made up of Fire and Water. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy.
Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure — bones, muscles, tendons and provides the glue that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy.
Leveraging these basic principles, Ayurveda customizes preventative wellness to the unique constitution of every individual.