Introduction to Ayurveda

Lord Dhanvantari

“Physician of the Gods”

Ayurveda“The Knowledge of Life”

Ayus-Life Veda-Knowledge

Ayurveda is the holistic medical system of India and the mother of all medical sciences including allopathic & surgery. Ayurveda differs

from traditional medicine by looking to the root cause of diseaseand treating the whole person “Body, Mind & Spirit ” using the

5 sense therapies, the eight limbs of yoga & lifestyle changes

Hearing-Ether Touch-Air Sight-Fire Taste-Water Smell- Earth

Ayurveda & Yoga

Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences documented in the Vedas 5000 years ago, both treat the Body, Mind and Spirit. Yoga

treats the Spiritual and Ayurveda the physical.

“Ayurveda treats the disease of the body by its connection to the mind & Yoga address

the stability of the mind and its identity with the soul” Gita Iyengar

Yogah Chitta Vrtti Nirodhah I.IIYoga is the cessation of movements in consciousness

Patanjali

Mythology

5000 years ago on the slopes of the Himalayas the great rishis contemplated the occurrence of diseases in their community. They decided this question was

for the gods and pondered on which god to approach. Brahma (the great creator) was the

originator of Ayuvreda but the rishis decided to approach Indra (the beloved god of rain). The Rishis

Bhardvaja was sent and received the teachings of Ayuvreda which he shared with six

students, one was Agnivesa who wrote the Agnivesa Tantra, the first documentation on Ayurveda.

 

Ayurveda In Indian History

5000 BC: The Indus Valley Civilization, first discovery of a soap stone statue depicting a spiritual belief system.

3000 BC: Ayurveda and Yoga are first mentioned in the Vedas, the oldest documents of Sanskrit literature and scriptures of Hinduism.

1000 BC: The Time of the Upanishads which interpreted the philosophical aspects of the Vedas.

Ayurveda In Indian History

200 - 700 BC: Birth of Buddhism and the medicine Buddha, considered the great healer of the time.Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras, documented Sanskrit grammar and contributed to Ayurveda with the sutras. The first medical book on Ayurveda was published, the “Astanga Hridayam”.700-1000: Ayurveda declined with the Muslim invasion which translated Ayurveda to Unani medicines.1200-1300: The “Caraka Samhita” was published, the most complete text on Ayurveda including pulse diagnosis, herbology and surgery.1858-1947: British occupation, Ayurvedic schools were closed, western medicine prevailed, Britain left India in 1947.Present: Ayurvedic schools in India currently teach both Ayurveda and western medicine.

Indian Belief Systems

Four Main ReligionsHinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism

Six PhilosophiesSankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Vaisheshika, Nyaya and Mimasa

Seven Yoga SystemsBhakti – Yoga of DevotionKarma – Yoga of ActionJnana – Yoga of IntelligenceRaja – Yoga of the Mind “Patanjali-Royal Yoga”Hatha – Yoga of WillKundalini – Meditative Spiritual ScienceTantra – Yoga of Shakti & Shiva

Sankhya Philosophy“”That which explains the whole”

Purusha-Pure Consciousness

Prakruti- Matter, Sun & Moon

Mahat- Universal Intelligence

Buddhi- The IntellectAhamkara- Ego

Mental Gunas:Sattva- PurityRajas- Energy

Tamas- Darkness

Five Senses:Hearing- Either

Touch- AirSight- Fire

Taste- WaterSmell- Earth

Health & Disease

What is Health?Defined as Svastha: established in the Self. Perfect health is balance of the higher self (Spirit-God) and the lower self (Physical-Ego).

What is Disease?

Disease is defined as forgetting “Our True Nature Is Spirit” 

The Three Causes of Disease:1. Misuse of the senses, unhealthy connection with objects of desire.

2. Failure of the intellect to listen to our “True Nature as Spirit”.3. Time & Motion bring transformation and decay.  

How is Ayurveda Understood

Ether Space & Connectiveness (No Movement)

Air Movement

Fire Transformation & Metabolism

Water Fluidity

Earth Stability (No Movement)

The Five Elements

The Physical GunasThe 10 Opposite Qualities Found In Our Environment

Hot / Cold Dense / Flowing

Wet / Dry Soft / Hard

Heavy / Light Dull / Sharp

Mobile / Stable Smooth / Rough

Gross / Subtle Cloudy / Clear

Elements & Guna Breakdown

Ether Cold, Dry, Light & Stable

Air Cool, Dry, Light & Mobile

FireHot, Wet (Slightly), Light &

Mobile

Water Cold, Wet, Heavy & Mobile

Earth Cold, Dry, Heavy & Stable

The Doshas Defined as: Faults, Energies, Disease or Movements 

Vata Pitta KaphaQualities Movement Transformation

MetabolismStructure

Lubrication

Elements Air & Either Fire & Water Earth & Water

Gunas Cold, Dry, Light & Mobile

Hot, Wet (Slightly), Light,

& Mobile

Cold, Wet, Heavy, Stable

ConstitutionPrakruti - Vikruti

Prakruti is the inherent balance of the 3 Doshas, which are determined at conception and understood by long term physical, mental, emotional & spiritual characteristics.

The Doshas are constantly changing & adjusting dependingon seasons, weather, what we ingest, and our emotional, mental and spiritual conditions.

Our current state of health is known as Vikruti and is determined by evaluating short-term symptoms, tendencies & characteristics.

VATA “THAT WHICH MOVES THINGS”

ELEMENTS; Air & EitherQUALITIES; Cold, Dry, Light, Mobile

CharacteristicsWhen Out of

Balance

Thin, Delicate, Small Features, Long Bones, Curly & Fine Hair, Dry Skin, Variable Appetite

Gas, Constipation, Dryness, Coldness,Insomnia, Nervous,

Indecisive, Inconsistent

When in BalanceDrives Out of

Balance

Vibrant, Enthusiastic, Creative, Inspiring,Spiritual, Artistic

Stimulants, Dry, Light, Mobile & Cold

Qualities, Fatigue, Irregularity

PITTA “THAT WHICH DIGESTS OR TRANSFORMS”

ELEMENTS; Fire & WaterQUALITIES; Hot, Light, Wet (Oily), Mobile

Characteristics When Out of Balance

Medium Build, Rosy Skin, Feels Warm,

Intense, Goal Orientated, Strong Appetite and Digestion

Heartburn, Acid Reflux, Rashes, Diarrhea,

Anger, Critical, Controlling,

Opinionated, Blaming, Vindictive, Jealous

When in Balance Drives Out of Balance

Focused, Passionate, Friendly,

Clear Vision, Organized, Completes Projects

Hot, Spicy, Fried Foods, Alcohol, Stimulants,

Insomnia, Perfectionism, Overscheduling

KAPHA “THAT WHICH LUBRICATES AND PROTECTS”

ELEMENTS; Water & EarthQUALITIES; Wet, Heavy, Cold, Stable

CharacteristicsWhen Out of

Balance

Stocky, Muscular, Short Neck, Large Bones, Big Round

Features, Thick, Pale, Gentle & Slow Pace

Mucousy, Excessive Weight, Diabetes, High Cholesterol,

Inflexible, Stubborn, Depression

When in BalanceDrives Out of

Balance

Calm, Patient, Kind, Unconditionally Loving,

Compassionate, Devoted Dependable &

Reliable

Heavy, Cold, Sweet, Oily & Bland Foods,

Over Eating & Sleeping, Inactivity &

Laziness

How Do We Get Out of Balance

Forgetting our true nature as Spirit

What we ingest: Food, Beverages & Medicines

What we come into contact with: Seasons & Weather

Emotion, Mental & Spiritual disharmony

Three Seasons of Ayurveda

Season Months Gunas In Balance Out of Balance

Winter NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary

ColdWet

Pitta Kapha

Spring MarchAprilMayJune

WarmDry

Kapha Vata

Summer

JulyAugust

September

October

HotDry

Vata Pitta

The Mental GunasExplain our Spiritual, Emotional & Mental Condition

Vata Pitta Kapha

SattvicClarity, Purity & Positiveness

Enthusiastic, Spiritual, Artistic, Creative

Clear, Perceptive, Focused,

Organized

Loving, Faithful, Stable,

Nurturing & Compassionate

RajasicDistraction, Turbulence& Movement

Fearful, Worried, Anxious, Nervous

& Indecisive

Angry, Resentful, Critical,

Dominating, Judgmental &

Critical

Materialistic, Overly Attached

& Stubborn

TamasicDarkness, Heaviness& Dullness

Self-Destructive, Addictive,

Paranoid & Unstable

Violent, Vindictive & Hateful

Lazy, Depressed, Manipulative & Thievish

How Do We Achieve BalanceAyurvedic Pyramid of Health

Evaluation, Pancha Karma & Bliss Therapies

Food-Spices & Herbology

Daily Routines, Self Abhyanga, Sleep & Sattvic Practices

Yoga & Meditation

Pranayama

ColorGems

MantrasAroma

The Six Tastes

Taste Gunas Foods Dosha/Best

Sweet Cool, Moist,Heavy

Rice, Grains, Meats, Dairy, Root Vegetables, Fruits &

Berries

VataPitta

Sour Hot, Moist, Heavy

Fermented Foods, Vinegar, Alcohol, Citrus, Tomato &

YogurtVata

Salty Warm, Moist, Heavy

Hard Cheese, Seafood, Olives, Seaweeds, Miso & Soy Sauce Vata

Bitter Cool, Dry, Light

Coffee, Unsweetened Chocolate, Leafy Greens &

DandelionPitta

Astringent Cool, Dry, Light/Heavy

Tea, Dry Cereal, Crackers, Pasta, Beans, Cabbage &

Cranberry

PittaKapha

Pungent Hot, Dry, Light

Spicy Foods, Chili Peppers, Ginger, Garlic, Wasabi &

MustardKapha

Five Sense Therapies

Sight “Fire”Color

Smell “Earth”Aromatherapy

Hearing “Either”Sound/Mantra/Meditation

Taste “Water”Food/Herbology/Spices

Touch “Air”Massage/Bliss Therapies/Gemology/Yoga/ Marma

Ayurvedic Cleansing“Pancha Karma”

Purification, Tonification and Rejuvenation Therapies

Stage I - Preparation“Purva Karma”

DietOleation Internal – Ghee & Oils External – AbhyangaFomentation – Heat

Stage II - Main Actions“Pradham Karma”

Vamana – Respiratory CleansingVirechana – PurgationBasti – Herbal EnemaNasya – Medicated NasalRakta Mokshana – Blood Cleansing

Stage III - Rejuvenation“Praschat Karma”

Re-introduction of regular diet & introduction of Sattvic practices

Five “Main” Religions

Hinduism: The predominant religion referred to as "The Eternal Law” which includes Yogic traditions and daily moralities based on the notion of Karma.

Jainism: Dharmic religion that follows a path of non-violence for all living thins, philosophy and practice relies on self-effort in progressing the soul towards God consciousness.

Buddhism: Based on the teachings of "The Buddha" the Awakened One” and is comprised of the 4 noble truths, karma and the cycle of rebirth.

Sikhism: Founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev in 15th century, and follows a path of devotion, truthful living, equality of mankind while denouncing superstitions and blind rituals.

Ayyavazhi: Dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century, based in Hinduism but believing in one god.

Seven Yogic Systems

Bhakti: Yoga of Devotion, practitioner shares his love & adornment and emphasises devotion above ritual.

Karma: Adherence to duty, detached from reward. Karma is the universal principle of cause and effect.

Jnana: Yoga of intelligence and is focused on wisdom or discernment. Jnana yoga is considered the path of wisdom.

Raja: Raja means royal and is considered the yoga of the mind as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Hatha: Yoga of will and is the preparatory stage of physical purification and has the same principles as the Raja Yoga.

Kundalini: Kundalini or Kriya is a pure spiritual science that leads to enlightenment and God-realization.

Tantra: Regarded as the divine play of Shakti and Shiva and aims at liberation from ignorance and rebirth.

Six Indian Philosophies 

Sankhya: Means, "That Which Explains The Whole”, addresses Cosmology, the journey of consciousness to matter.

Vedanta: Singular belief system that practices a contemplative method of self-inquiry leading to the realization.

Vaisheshika: Emphasizes physical science as it relates to nine substances of earth: earth, water, fire, air, either, time, space, soul and the mind.

Nyaya: Emphasis logic and the processes of reasoning, doubt is considered a prerequisite for philosophical inquiry.

Mimasa: Philosophy related to action, ritual, worship and ethical conduct, which develops Karma.

Yoga: Described in the Yoga Sutras, involves witnessing inner states & consciousness, often-called Sankhya-Yoga.

Ingredient Rasa Virya

Vipaka Dosha Actions

Licorice Sweet / Bitter Cool Sweet VP-K+ Demulcent, expectorant, tonic, laxative

Black Pepper Pungent Hot Pungent KV-P+ Stimulant, expectorant, carminative

Cardamom Pungent / Sweet Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, carminative, expectorant

Cinnamon Pungent / Sweet /

Astringent

Hot Pungent KV-P+ Stimulant, diaphoretic, alterative

Clove Pungent Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, carminative,Aphrodisiac, expectorant

Star Anise Pungent Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, carminative

Ginger Pungent / Sweet Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant, carminative

Nutmeg Pungent Hot Pungent VK-P+ Sedative, nervine, astringent, carminative

Almond-CowMilk

Sweet Cool Sweet VP-K+

Agave / Maple

Sweet Cool Sweet VP-K+

Honey Sweet / Pungent / Astringent

Hot Sweet VK-P+

Jeff’s Chai Tea Energetics

AyurvedaThe Knowledge of LifeAyus-Life Veda-Knowledge

Ayurveda is the holistic medical system of India originating 5000 years ago and is the mother of all medical sciences

including allopathic & surgery. Ayurveda differs from traditional medicine by looking to the root cause of disease and treating

the whole person “Body, Mind & Spirit” and not just the symptoms. Ayurveda achieves balance and health by using the

5 sense therapies.