What is Ayurveda

Sanskrit word from 2 roots

Ayus = life
Vid = science
 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
 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
 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
Theory of Panchamahabhutas
Five 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
 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.
 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.
Vata dosha - A sattvic influence creates
comprehension, the need for unity and healing, and
creates a positive mental outlook.
Pitta dosha - A sattvic influence creates clarity,
intelligence, leadership, warmth, and independence.
Kapha dosha A sattvic influence creates calmness,
peace, love, compassion, faith, nurturing, and
forgiveness.
 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.
Vata dosha - A rajasic influence creates indecisiveness,
unrealibility, hyperactivity, and anxiety.
Pitta dosha A rajasic influence creates willfulness,
ambition, anger, manipulation, vanity, impulsiveness,
and aggressiveness.
Kapha dosha A rajasic influence creates greed for
money, material luxuries, and comfort. They are too
sentimental, controlling, attached, and lustful.
 Tamas
Tamas Destruction The inertia, darkness,
and confusion. It is the object to be observed.
A tamasic predominant mind is a dull, lethargic
mind.
Vata dosha - A tamasic influence creates fear,
dishonesty, depression, self-destructiveness,
addictive behavior, sexual perversions, animal
instincts, or suicidal thoughts.
Pitta dosha A tamasic influence creates
vindictiveness, violence, hate, criminality, and
psychopathic behavior.
Kapha dosha A tamasic influences create
dullness, sloth, lethargy, depression, lack of care
and a tendency to steal
 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
 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.
 VATA
Governs the movement processes of our body
blood flow
elimination of waste
breathing
movement of thoughts
activates nervous system
expresses our creativity
 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
 KAPHA
Provides the material substance for our physical form
lubricates joints
comprises our bodys 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
 VATA characteristics
Hair is dark, coarse
Thinner, slimmer skeletal farm
Drier skin, darker skin tone
Quick joint movements
Light sleepers
Mentally restless
 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
 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
 IMBALANCES OF VATA
difficulty breathing
excess movement
paralysis
weak nervous system
fear, anxiety
hyperactivity
 IMBALANCES OF PITTA
excess body temperature or inflammation
fast digestion
ulcer or acidity
eye inflammations
skin diseases
aggressive mind
anger, emotional sensitivity
 IMBALANCES OF KAPHA
heaviness like obesity
swelling and edema
fat deposits, cholesterol or cellulite
mucous problems
heavy mind-depression, sadness, silent
slow mind
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
 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. Pingala nadi 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)
 Seven Major Chakras
1. muladhara root support root Earth LAM
2. swadishthana own abode lower abdominal Water VAM
3. manipura city of jewels solar plexus Fire RAM
4. anahata unstuck melody heart Air YAM
5. vishddha complete purity throat Space HAM
6. ajna gurus command third eye OM
7. sahasrara thousand petalled lotus crown
 Prevention vs Cure

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on curing

disease and restoring dosha equilibrium as
well

Promotes & preserves health, strength &

longevity
 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

Daily Routine Consists of:

Early Rising
Cleanliness
Exercise
Satisfying Natural Urges
Mental Discipline
 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
 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
 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
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
 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.
 Time of Day
VATA 2-6 am/pm

PITTA 10-2 am/pm

KAPHA 6-10 am/pm

 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
 Classification of Nutrients
Taste Dosha Elements
Sweet Kapha Earth & Water
Sour Pitta Earth & Fire
Salty Kapha/Pitta Water & Fire
Bitter Vata Space & Air
Pungent Pitta Fire & Air
Astringent Vata Earth & Air
 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
 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.