What is Ayurveda and you can benefit from it
By Sangeeta Sirinthipaporn
Last Updated: 25/06/2022
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient healing system that focuses on balancing and harmonizing with all that is around us. It is based on a simple principle, namely, “All that is around us is present within us.” This is the key that unlocks our true nature and helps us tap our storehouse of unlimited healing potential.
All of us are unconsciously in some way practicing Ayurveda, the science of life. For example, when it is cold, we automatically put on something warm and opt for warm drinks or food. We are simply balancing Cold with Hot (Warmth). It is only when we stop listening and responding to our body that imbalances occur. Like walking out into the rain without an umbrella or raincoat every day – surely we will end up in a flu, cough or cold!
Ayurveda in Action - an Example
Ayurveda takes into account the Nature or Quality (Hot, Cold, Wet, Dry and so on) of imbalances in all treatment measures. Here is a good example to understand this…
Three people walk into an Ayurvedic clinic. All three have migraines.
The first one has dry skin, dry lips, thin structure and complains of severe pain. The Ayurveda practitioner recommends warm oil therapy and warming herbal teas to counter the dryness and calm the nerves.
The second person too has a migraine but with burning eyes, sharp pain and fever (Hot). Cooling herbal paste application and cooling drinks are the treatments applied to ease the heat.
The third experiences a dull, heavy pain with a feeling of congestion. Light, stimulating herbs are the key elements here to balance the heaviness and dullness.
As we can see clearly all three had the same ailment – “migraine”, but all did not get the same painkiller or tranquilizer. Each one received a different treatment specific to individual needs.
Balancing through Learning
Besides balancing the basic elements in our system, Ayurveda very carefully considers our Diet, Lifestyle, Age and Environment in order to be able to eliminate the root cause of the problems, not just the symptoms. It is not only limited to providing treatments and therapies, but also gives us an understanding of keeping in balance and harmony on all levels of our being – Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual. Ayurveda is a system of giving knowledge to the patients so they can effectively maintain harmony on all levels.
A true Ayurveda Practitioner not only provides treatment but also gives you an insight to the way elements work within you. This understanding goes a long way in helping you maintain your health effectively. It helps you adjust your Diet and Lifestyle according to your Climate, Age, Jobs and other factors that are playing an important role in your life.
Here is a simple exercise to check your active Element(s) right now. Count your Pulse rate per minute. Check your result with this table, which gives ways to balance as well…
| Pulse rate per minute | Active Elements | Balance with... |
|---|---|---|
|
60 - 70 |
Water and Earth |
Warm meals, Hot drinks, Brisk walking |
|
70 - 80 |
Fire |
Cooling food and drinks, Avoid direct sunlight |
|
80+ |
Ether and Air |
Warm & grounding food and drinks, Deep-slow breathing exercises |
So, what is Ayurveda? Ayurveda is a complete science that can be applied easily in our daily lives. In fact, it is already working within us. We just need to awaken our consciousness and perceive our entire being in light of the life-force that flows constantly through us.
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