A Few Words About Ayurveda
Up until sometime in the early '90s, not many people in the west had heard of Ayurvedic medicine. Since then, public figures and physicians like Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. Robert Svoboda have brought this science to light in the west.
This is not a young science though. Depending upon the source of information, this medicine is between two and five thousand years old and has a practical and lively history and current practice in India, its country of origin.
Many westerners have heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its herbal medicines and acupuncture. Ayurveda is to India as TCM is to China. Both countries, even today, use their traditional medicines hand in hand with western (allopathic) medicine in hospitals, clinics, private practices, cities and villages.
As a medical science in India, Ayurveda includes a comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostic systems and treatment strategies. An Ayurvedic physician in India must undergo a 5 ½ year post-graduate degree program (Bachelor's of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) to become qualified. Ayurveda is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective, traditional health science.
One of the elegant features of Ayurveda is that, with a minimum input of effort and study, we can learn some simple, valuable practices that enable us to manage our health and change our lives for the better. We can learn from Ayurveda how to understand our individual constitution and our current condition. This can help us understand what an appropriate diet and lifestyle is, and which herbs or remedies may help us gain or maintain optimum health in our bodies and minds.
The concept and importance of constitutional variety is fundamental in Ayurveda. This is the notion that we are all different and so what may be medicine for one person may even harm another. There are as many unique constitutions as there are human beings. For the sake of practicality, Ayurveda has categorized three main constitutional types. These types (or doshas) are called “Vata,” “Pitta,” and “Kapha,” very roughly translated as “Air,” “Fire,” and “Water/Earth” respectively.
The word dosha literally means “fault.” Vata, Pitta and Kapha are positive forces in the body but they are also faults, in a way, because they can change. They can increase or, less often, decrease beyond what is appropriate for our constitution. This vitiated dosha causes an imbalance in the body or mind, creating an environment for disease to flourish. There are ways to bring an increased dosha back into balance through diet, lifestyle and herbal supplements.
Ayurvedic herbal supplements are used to reduce or pacify one or more doshas that have increased in our bodies. So, for instance, if you have too much Pitta or “fire” in your body, this may manifest as a hot, red, burning rash. Then you would choose an herb, or a combination of herbs that are cooling, and thereby “reduce” or “pacify” Pitta.
To understand more about your basic, underlying constitution, your current condition, the natures of Vata, Pitta, Kapha, how to balance them with herbs, lifestyle, massage and diet; contact Sharon Kapp for your personalized doshic analysis at Houston Yoga & Ayurvedic Wellness Center - Tel.: 832-349-0370 or at mailto:Sharon@Houston-Yoga-Ayurveda.com
Ayurvedic Daily Routine for Optimum Health
The easiest way to make lasting positive changes in your life is to have a daily routine. This provides a structure for your health improvement plan. Daily routines have been recommended by ayurvedic texts for over 2,000 years! I have taken some of these recommendations, and modified them to our modern needs and resources. Commit to doing your routine for 40 days, and it will become a habit.
Committing to a simple, achievable daily routine is one of the most far-reaching decisions you can make.
1. Wake up early - before the sunrise - or at around 6.00am. This will help you feel lighter through the day. Vata people can awake a little later, and Kapha people can awake a little earlier.
2. Drink a glass of water with some fresh lemon juice, and, if desired, some ginger juice and raw honey.
3. Go to the toilet and evacuate bowels if possible.
4. Scrape tongue, brush teeth, gargle with warm water and 1 tsp sesame oil.
5. Self massage with warmed sesame oil, with vigorous strokes from head to feet. Pitta people can use coconut oil, and Kapha people can use sesame oil or raw silk gloves. This stimulates circulation and nourishes the skin.
6. Have a warm shower and dress.
7. Exercise. Some stimulating exercise in the morning increases the metabolism for the whole day, improving digestion. A brisk walk, some Yoga; for 20 minutes or more. Sun Salutations are an excellent idea, 6-12 rounds according to ability.
8. Breathing. Doing a breathing technique helps increase your body’s energy reserves, and calms the nervous system. Alternate Nostril Breath is a classic yoga exercise, breathing gently for 3-5 minutes.
9. Meditation or lying down relaxation, to clear the mind; creating a calm mental state ready for the day.
10. Breakfast — light and simple. Stewed apples are great, or porridge in winter. Take ten almonds that have been soaked overnight, remove skins before eating. Try to keep regular mealtimes.
11. Sip warm water through the day. This helps digestion and detoxification.
12. Lunch — main meal of the day, with some carbs ( i.e., kumara, rice, pasta, etc.).
13. Dinner — lighter warm meal. Small dessert only.
14. Use ayurvedic super-nutrient foods in meals or as snacks: almonds, raisins, dates, saffron, ghee, honey, warm milk (organic, un homogenized, full cream if possible). These nourish the subtle tissues, and increase Ojas, the ayurvedic principle or substance that maintains youth and immunity.
15. 1 hour before sleep — calming-down time. Withdraw from tv, computer, vigorous social interaction. Do some light stretches, especially forward bends. You can have a small cup of heated milk with a selection from the following: saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger powder; with some raw honey. You can also massage the feet with sesame oil for good sleep.
16. Sleep before 10 pm. Consciously relax as you lie down, focusing on your body or your breath.
