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Ayurveda - A Powerful System of Self-Healing

 

We all know that, to a large degree,  the overall health of our body depends on what we put into it.

We also know that each of us have individual needs - what foods some of us can consume with impunity, can be detrimental to others - these same foods can lead to allegies, low energy and ill health.

What most of us don't know is what foods are truly good for our individual constitution - foods that, when eaten in moderation, contribute to our individual needs and lead to greater health, energy and vitality.

Ayurveda provides the key to understanding our own individual constitution. Through better understanding of our body, we can make wiser choices that lead to increased health, vitality and longevity.

Ayurveda Food and Diet

There is a misconception that Ayurvedic cooking means Indian food, however real Ayurvedic cooking means that we know how to eat according to our own individual needs; according to our constitution; our body type. Ayurvedic food is  consciously prepared food that is deeply nourishing for us and for others.

We can use any style, type or nationality of cooking and make it ‘Ayurvedic’ if we understand certain basic and simple principles; it can be French Ayurvedic, Mexican Ayurvedic, or even Australian Ayurvedic cooking.

If you are healthy it is more than likely that you are eating well and appropriately for your body type. Some people intuit what feels right for them. If we are unwell, we may be out of touch with our needs and may need to examine what we are eating. 

The practice of yoga, tantra and meditation enables the purification and strengthening of intuition.

Ayurveda teaches us about the universal laws of the body, why people have different needs, and how to cook to meet those needs in different seasons of the year.

Ayurveda Diet to Balance our Doshas

The three things we need to ask to find appropriate Ayurvedic foods and diet are:

1. What is our body type? Which elements (doshas) are predominant in us; are we mainly hot or cold, dry or wet, heavy or light.
2. Which foods are best suited to our body type? For example. if our body is heavy, then we need to limit our intake of heavy root vegetables and dairy; if we are hot, then we need to know how to use spices so as not to overheat.
3. How to prepare food. Cooking food changes its nature, for example frying food makes it heavy, roasting food adds other qualities.

The Different Diets for Different Doshas book is an excellent resource for determining your body type and to select the foods most appropriate for your constitution.

Ayurveda - Therapy and Medicine

Modern Ayurveda therapy is comprised of both self-healing practices and a complete system of Ayurveda medicine.

Ayurveda Therapy in Self-Healing

Self-healing involves learning how to maintain health and to heal ourselves. We do this by  studying the theory of Ayurveda and systematically applying this knowledge to our lives.

We learn simple and effective ways that empower us to feel and know how to manage our own individual body-mind.

Ayurvedic self-healing is a simple and easy way to consciously improve our health and take part in managing any disease conditions we might have.

The Origins of Ayurveda

Ayurveda has its roots in Vedic tradition and is a sister science to yoga, tantra and the other wisdom traditions of India. They all share a common language and a common universal vision of the world and how it is organized.

Ayurveda forms a large part of the theory that yoga therapy is based upon.

Ayurveda is a complete medical science that includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostic systems and treatment strategies. The World Health Organization recognizes Ayurvedic medicine as an effective, traditional health-science.

Ayurvedic physicians undergo five and a half years of training to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery.

Ayurveda treats illness and promotes health and longevity. Today in the west it is most commonly used as a powerful system of self-healing. In this context Ayurveda provides us with simple theories that explain how the body works and how illness can arise from a variety of causes.

Ayurveda also uses herbs, massage and other remedies to help us gain or maintain optimum health of our body-mind.

The Ayurvedic Physician

The Ayurvedic physician employs three major tools of examination to diagnose disease:

• Questioning provides insight into more subjective aspects of illness.
• Palpation and visual examination - including examination of pulse, tongue, urine, feces, speech, eyes and physique - provide further, more objective information. These three tools provide a complete picture of the patient’s symptoms and signs of illness. This is the basis upon which diagnosis of disease is determined.

Ayurvedic Treatments

Ayurvedic treatments for physical maladies include herbs, massage and body work, cleansing practices called the 'five actions' (pancha karma), dietary and lifestyle counseling, yoga, meditation, and other methods.

Treatment for emotional and psychological imbalances may include any of these treatments, and emphasize yoga and meditation practices. Treatment for spiritual disorders may also include any of these treatments, although this generally requires personal guidance from a spiritual adept as well.

Ayurveda - Tools to Help You Learn About Yourself

Big Shakti is committed to providing only authentic knowledge and proven and effective healing practices via our CDs, DVDs, books and courses.

We have a range of professionally produced products to assist you in learning more about your body type, the right diet for your individual constitution and improving your overall health and well-being.

• Different Diets for Different Doshas book is an excellent resource for determining your body type and to select the foods most appropriate for your constitution.
• Beginning Ayurveda is a brand new online course designed to give you the knowledge and the tools to influence your health, vitality and longevity.
• The Conscious Cook by Kamala Devi, is a wonderful cook book, filled with nutritious and healthy vegetarian recipies.
  

Visit the Shakti Shop to learn more.

Ayurveda Articles - Towards a Deeper Understanding

Big Shakti provides a range of articles from authentic teachers and authors to give you a deeper understanding of the science of Ayurveda.

See our range of Ayurveda articles.