What is Ayurveda

1. What is Ayurveda Sanskrit word from 2 roots Ayus = life Vid = science

2. Ayurveda • Originated as part of the Vedic Science, an integral combination of science & philosophy • Vedic Science includes yoga, meditation, astrology, and Ayurveda (its special branch for healing mind and body) • Provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire universe of matter, mind and consciousness

3. History • According to the ancient Vedic texts, Ayurveda was in practice before 4,000 BC • Ayurveda reflects the healing wisdom of the ancient Sarasvati culture that was one of the great cradles of world civilization • It spread east along with Indian culture into Indonesia and Indochina, and to the Greeks, who developed a similar form of natural medicine • Ayurveda became the basis of the healing traditions of Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Burma and also influenced Chinese medicine

4. Ayurveda Today • Ayurveda is reaching out to the western world due to its broad and profound background in herbal medicine, dietetics, bodywork, surgery, psychology and spirituality • Is part of a new movement towards a global medicine. It has much in common with Chinese and European traditions, and can serve as a point of integration between them

5. Theory of PanchamahabhutasFive Element Theory • 5 Basic Elements/Eternal Substances • Exist in all things & are intermixed • Form all matter in the universe • Serve as foundation of all diagnosis & treatment modalities

6. GUNAS Each one of these energies is present to some degree in every object of creation, some objects arise primarily from sattva and some primarily from tamas. Rajas is the energy which is the momentum of creation. Through rajas Consciousness becomes matter.

7. Sattva Sattva – “Creation” The pure essence of light, right action, and spiritual purpose. It is potential energy, the observer. A person with this quality is calm, alert, kind, and thoughtful. This is considered the first stage of Samadhi or spiritual realization. Vatadosha - A sattvic influence creates comprehension, the need for unity and healing, and creates a positive mental outlook. Pittadosha - A sattvic influence creates clarity, intelligence, leadership, warmth, and independence. Kaphadosha – A sattvic influence creates calmness, peace, love, compassion, faith, nurturing, and forgiveness.

8. Rajas Rajas - “Maintenance” The principle of movement, change, and excitability. It is kinetic energy, the observation. A person whose mind is predominantly rajasic, too active, is always seeking diversions. Most rajasic individuals, enthusiastically study spiritual and holistic measures to improve themselves. Vatadosha - A rajasic influence creates indecisiveness, unrealibility, hyperactivity, and anxiety. Pittadosha – A rajasic influence creates willfulness, ambition, anger, manipulation, vanity, impulsiveness, and aggressiveness. Kaphadosha – A rajasic influence creates greed for money, material luxuries, and comfort. They are too sentimental, controlling, attached, and lustful.

9. Tamas Tamas– “Destruction” The inertia, darkness, and confusion. It is the object to be observed. A tamasic predominant mind is a dull, lethargic mind. Vatadosha - A tamasic influence creates fear, dishonesty, depression, self-destructiveness, addictive behavior, sexual perversions, animal instincts, or suicidal thoughts. Pittadosha – A tamasic influence creates vindictiveness, violence, hate, criminality, and psychopathic behavior. Kaphadosha – A tamasic influences create dullness, sloth, lethargy, depression, lack of care and a tendency to steal

10. Five Elements • Akasha = Space/Ether • Spaces in body (mouth, nostrils, thorax, abdomen, cells) • Vayu = Air • Element of movement including muscular movement (contraction of lungs, intestines, movement in cells) • Agni = Fire • Enzyme functioning • Controls digestive system & regulates metabolism • Jala = Water • Found in plasma, blood saliva (digestive juices, mucous membranes, cytoplasm) • Prthvi = Earth • Solid structures such as bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails, tendons, cartilage, teeth

11. Tridoshas Tri = three Doshas = components that carry over the functions of the body Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the fundamental biological energies which regulate all the life processes of an individual. We all have unique proportions of each dosha, which makes us individuals.

12. VATA Governs the movement processes of our body • blood flow • elimination of waste • breathing • movement of thoughts • activates nervous system • expresses our creativity

13. PITTA Governs transformations within the body • production of heat • metabolism • diffusional transformations (O to CO2) • digestion of food • sensory perception • expresses our warmth Pitta is said to keep the heart alive with passion and our will to live strong

14. KAPHA Provides the material substance for our physical form • lubricates joints • comprises our body’s tissues • helps heal wounds • maintains immune system • maintains blood volume • expresses our emotions Kapha is said to provide substance to our bodies and intelligence to our cells

15. VATA characteristics • Hair is dark, coarse • Thinner, slimmer skeletal farm • Drier skin, darker skin tone • Quick joint movements • Light sleepers • Mentally restless

16. PITTA characteristics • Hair is thin, silky, greys prematurely • Warmer, moist skin • Yellowish, copper tone to skin • Average skeletal frame • Moods change quickly • Judgmental and ambitious

17. KAPHA characteristics • Hair is thick, wavy • Skin is thicker, pale, moist and cool • Thicker, stout skeletal frame • Operates at a slower mental, physical pace • Deliberates choices carefully • Enjoys introspection

18. IMBALANCES OF VATA • difficulty breathing • excess movement • paralysis • weak nervous system • fear, anxiety • hyperactivity

19. IMBALANCES OF PITTA • excess body temperature or inflammation • fast digestion • ulcer or acidity • eye inflammations • skin diseases • aggressive mind • anger, emotional sensitivity

20. IMBALANCES OF KAPHA • heaviness like obesity • swelling and edema • fat deposits, cholesterol or cellulite • mucous problems • heavy mind-depression, sadness, silent • slow mind

21. Ayurveda & Modern Medicine • Most illnesses can be prevented if following an Ayurvedic way of living • Can help in post-operative recovery • Ayurvedic oils speed recovery of injuries & post-operative cases

22. ENERGY CHANNELS Yoga – union of mind and body, and the various subtle energies with the Divine Self. Nadis – nerve channel. Some say there are 350,000 channels in the body. There are 15 main channels but three very important: • 1. Sushumna– the most important channel found in the body and is considered to be a spiritual tube within the spine. Life force energy rises through this tube and deep inside lie the chakras. (sattva) • 2. Ida nadi – sometimes called the moon channel. It is found on the left side of the spine and encircles the chakras and ends to the extremity of the left nostril. (rajas) • 3. Pingalanadi– sometimes called the sun channel. It begins on the right side of the spine and encircles the chakras and ends to the extremity of the right nostril. (tamas)

23. Seven Major Chakras muladhara “root support” root Earth LAM swadishthana “own abode” lower abdominal Water VAM manipura “city of jewels” solar plexus Fire RAM anahata“unstuck melody” heart Air YAM vishddha“complete purity” throat Space HAM ajna“guru’s command” third eye OM sahasrara “thousand petalled lotus” crown

24. Prevention vs Cure • Ayurvedic treatment focuses on curing disease and restoring dosha equilibrium as well • Promotes & preserves health, strength & longevity

25. Daily Routine • Following detailed daily routine leads to life filled with health & happiness • If followed exactly as directed average life span = 100 years • Food contributes to strength, complexion & vitality Incorrect nutrition leads to diseases

26. Daily Routine Consists of: • Early Rising • Cleanliness • Exercise • Satisfying Natural Urges • Mental Discipline

27. Cleanliness • Taking care of body leads to good health • Habits that are important include: • Brushing teeth • Scraping tongue • Gargling & cleaning mouth • Regular massage • Application of oil on head • Bathing • Use of oils & scents

28. Exercise • Keeps body & mind healthy & happy • Avoid harm by following type of exercise depending on age & health • Kapha = performs heavy exercises • Pitta = moderation, avoiding midday & hot seasons • Vata = regulated exercises, preferably yoga, no aerobic exercise • Contradicted for those with bleeding tendencies, heart diseases, asthma or vertigo

29. Natural Urges • Do not suppress natural physical urges • Urination, defecation, hunger, thirst, sleep, yawning, vomiting, flatus, ejaculation, panting • Satisfy natural urges instantly for good health • Suppress harmful urges • Greed, fear, anger, vanity, jealousy, excessive attachment to anything

30. Mental & Moral Discipline • Exert mental health & moral discipline via: • Respect all beings • Be of help to others • Make firm decisions, be fearless, intelligent • Avoid people of greedy nature • Avoid undesirable places

31. MANTRA • Sound has enormous power, in fact it has power to create an entire universe. It is written that God originally manifested as sound. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. John 1:1-2 According to Ayurveda, in the beginning there was sound (Om) and from that sound, everything came into existence.

32. Time of Day VATA 2-6 am/pm PITTA 10-2 am/pm KAPHA 6-10 am/pm

33. Seasons Summer (June, July, Aug) Kapha – pacifies *good time to detox Pitta – aggravates Fall (Sept, Oct, Nov) Pitta – pacifies Vata – accumulates Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) Vata – aggravates Kapha – accumulates Spring (March, April, May) Vata – pacifies Kapha – aggravates Pitta – accumulates

34. Classification of Nutrients TasteDoshaElements Sweet Kapha Earth & Water Sour Pitta Earth & Fire Salty Kapha/Pitta Water & Fire Bitter Vata Space & Air Pungent Pitta Fire & Air AstringentVata Earth & Air

35. The Six Food Qualities • Heavy (V-P-K+): cheese, yogurt, meat, wheat products • Light (V+P+K-): popcorn, rice cakes, barley, corn, spinach, apples • Oily (V-P-K+): dairy products, fats, oils • Dry (V+P+K-): barley, corn, potatoes, beans, rice cakes, popcorn • Hot (V-P+K-): hot spices, chilies, jalapenos, hot drinks • Cold (V+P-K+): cold drinks, cranberry juice with spring water and lime

36. NAMASTE I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, WE ARE ONE.