How does Ayurveda work?
The term ayurveda has started to pop up more and more: diets, massages, skin care and retreats. It may be the new buzz word on the wellness scene but ayurveda has been around for thousands of years.
But what is ayurveda?
Often translated as the ‘science of life’ it is the traditional Indian health care system and a sister science to yoga. But it is so much more than herbal capsules, diet books and luxurious massages. Here is a little insight into how it is to live ayurvedically.
Ayus = life, longevity
Veda = knowledge, science
Ayurveda – the science of life, knowledge of longevity
One simple principle of ayurveda you can connect with easily is the 5 Element Theory. Everything in the Universe is created in a completely unique combination of the five elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Our food, the clothes we wear, the plants, your dining table, computers and of course you. You are a unique combination of these five elements.
In ayurveda we honour our unique constitution. And our aim is to re-create balance if it becomes deranged or imbalanced. We were conceived with our unique combination of the 5 elements. Some with more Water and Earth compared to Air or Fire. Some of us were more Air and Fire etc… but we are all completely unique. There is no constitution exactly like us.
Recreating a balanced state of being
When we live ayurvedically we try to come back to our true balance. Say, you are constitutionally mostly Fire and Air. And live in a city which also has the energy of Fire and Air (think London, Tokyo, New York where it is busy, fast and sharp with lots of movement), and perhaps you enjoy hot spicy food as well as light snacks and irregular meals. To go to work you commute (the movement of the Air element) and you are on the computer for long hours (again Air) and generally have a stressful busy lifestyle (Fire and Air). Well, then you will increase Fire and Air. It will become deranged and you may suffer with aggravated symptoms. This may simply be habitual stress and anxiety but it can develop into insomnia, indigestion, heartburn, exhaustion, skin issues, ulcers, the list goes on…
In ayurveda we will try to eliminate these external stressors, or remedy with a routine to re-create your balanced state of wellbeing. You learn techniques to find balance within your external environment. Perhaps you start your day with a grounding slow cooling yoga routine or or go for a swim, maybe you meditate. You enjoy simple warm (not hot) meals and in the summer cooling foods and drinks (but not cold). Eliminating coffee and stimulants. Avoiding hot competitive activities. You take time away from the computer, find a park and stand barefoot on the Earth to stay grounded (or simply visualise).
Once we understand the basic principles they can be applied to all aspects of our life. We then appreciate why we may get ill, anxious or stressed and we have the tools to find balance again through the ayurvedic principles of the 5 elements as well the other qualities (in ayurveda we also have the 10 pairs of opposites – more on the later).
Over to you
In the comments below please share what imbalance you are experiencing at the moment?
And if you want to immerse yourself living ayurvedically then join us for a 4 week ayurvedic detox and rejuvenation experience. More details here.
July 6, 2016