Ayurveda is an ancient science of medicine that has its origins in the subcontinent of India. The language of Ayurveda is Sanskrit, the oldest written language on the planet. The word “Ayurveda” comes from the two root words, ayus and veda. The word ayus can be translated to mean life. In this sense, life refers to having energy in the physical body, the mind, and even the soul. The word veda can be translated as knowledge. In this context, knowledge is not just an external comprehension of facts but a deep internal intuition of the truth. In its simplest form, Ayurveda literally means life knowledge.
Perfect Health
Through Ayurvedic practices, we attempt to establish a health self, first through returning to a healthy body and mind. The second level of self to establish is our connection to a higher power. When an individual is able to be established in both levels of the self, they understand how to create and maintain balance between themselves and their environment. That person can utilize their senses with wisdom, choosing how to respond to their surroundings in a way that supports their own unique individuality and well being.
Ayurveda and the Food We Eat
So how is Ayurveda related to how we prepare, cook and eat food? Diet, according to Ayurveda, is one of the most important tools for bringing our bodies and minds back into balance. Normally in Ayurvedic teachings, diet is individualized according to the unique needs of each and every person. Ayurvedic meal planning is a highly scientific method of considering all of our aspects as people (environment, gender, age, dosha, life stresses, etc.) in order to create the best diet to bring us back into balance. This is not only related to what we put in our mouths, but is also related to when, how and why we consume food.
We are Unique
Ayurveda also sees the individual as a unique entity. This means that the same food which may help one person come into balance, may be harmful for another person given the many factors surrounding their body and mental state. Ayurveda believes that a wholesome diet is the foremost factor in warding off disease and maintaining health. All diseases, according to this philosophy, originate in the digestive system. This occurs when one of the three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) become aggravated. This often happens when we upset the balance of our digestive process through improper food intake. The good news is that, through this “science of life,” we can dramatically alter our state of health, promoting longevity, balance and overall mental well-being.
Katie Silcox - Vibrant yogini, Katie was taught yoga in south India, in the home of the quietly famous yogis A.G. and Indra Mohan, authors of Yoga for ...
