What is AyurvedaWhat is Ayurveda

Sanskrit word from 2 rootsSanskrit word from 2 roots

Ayus = lifeAyus = life

Vid = scienceVid = science

AyurvedaAyurveda

Originated as part of the Originated as part of the Vedic Vedic ScienceScience, an integral combination of , an integral combination of science & philosophyscience & philosophy

Vedic Science includes yoga, Vedic Science includes yoga, meditation, astrology, and Ayurveda meditation, astrology, and Ayurveda (its special branch for healing mind (its special branch for healing mind and body)and body)

Provides a comprehensive Provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire universe understanding of the entire universe of matter, mind and consciousnessof matter, mind and consciousness

HistoryHistory

According to the ancient Vedic texts, According to the ancient Vedic texts, Ayurveda was in practice before 4,000 BCAyurveda was in practice before 4,000 BC

Ayurveda reflects the healing wisdom of the Ayurveda reflects the healing wisdom of the ancient Sarasvati culture that was one of the ancient Sarasvati culture that was one of the great cradles of world civilizationgreat cradles of world civilization

It spread east along with Indian culture into It spread east along with Indian culture into Indonesia and Indochina, and to the Greeks, Indonesia and Indochina, and to the Greeks, who developed a similar form of natural who developed a similar form of natural medicinemedicine

Ayurveda became the basis of the healing Ayurveda became the basis of the healing traditions of Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Burma and traditions of Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Burma and also influenced Chinese medicinealso influenced Chinese medicine

Ayurveda TodayAyurveda Today

Ayurveda is reaching out to the Ayurveda is reaching out to the western world due to its broad and western world due to its broad and profound background in herbal profound background in herbal medicine, dietetics, bodywork, medicine, dietetics, bodywork, surgery, psychology and spiritualitysurgery, psychology and spirituality

Is part of a new movement towards Is part of a new movement towards a global medicine. It has much in a global medicine. It has much in common with Chinese and common with Chinese and European traditions, and can serve European traditions, and can serve as a point of integration between as a point of integration between themthem

Theory of Theory of PanchamahabhutasPanchamahabhutas

Five Element TheoryFive Element Theory – 5 Basic Elements/Eternal Substances 5 Basic Elements/Eternal Substances – Exist in all things & are intermixedExist in all things & are intermixed– Form all matter in the universeForm all matter in the universe– Serve as foundation of all diagnosis & Serve as foundation of all diagnosis &

treatment modalitiestreatment modalities

GUNAS

Each one of these energies is present to Each one of these energies is present to some degree in every object of creation, some degree in every object of creation, some objects arise primarily from some objects arise primarily from sattvasattva and some primarily from and some primarily from tamastamas. . RajasRajas is is the energy which is the momentum of the energy which is the momentum of creation. Through creation. Through rajasrajas Consciousness Consciousness becomes matter.becomes matter.

  

SattvaSattva SattvaSattva – “Creation” The pure essence of light, – “Creation” The pure essence of light,

right action, and spiritual purpose. It is right action, and spiritual purpose. It is potential energy, the observer. A person with potential energy, the observer. A person with this quality is calm, alert, kind, and thoughtful. this quality is calm, alert, kind, and thoughtful. This is considered the first stage of This is considered the first stage of SamadhiSamadhi or or spiritual realization. spiritual realization.

Vata dosha - A sattvic influence creates Vata dosha - A sattvic influence creates comprehension, the need for unity and healing, comprehension, the need for unity and healing, and creates a positive mental outlook.and creates a positive mental outlook.

Pitta dosha - A sattvic influence creates clarity, Pitta dosha - A sattvic influence creates clarity, intelligence, leadership, warmth, and intelligence, leadership, warmth, and independence.independence.

Kapha dosha – A sattvic influence creates Kapha dosha – A sattvic influence creates calmness, peace, love, compassion, faith, calmness, peace, love, compassion, faith, nurturing, and forgiveness.nurturing, and forgiveness.

RajasRajas RajasRajas - “Maintenance” The principle of - “Maintenance” The principle of

movement, change, and excitability. It is movement, change, and excitability. It is kinetic energy, the observation. A person kinetic energy, the observation. A person whose mind is predominantly rajasic, too active, whose mind is predominantly rajasic, too active, is always seeking diversions. Most rajasic is always seeking diversions. Most rajasic individuals, enthusiastically study spiritual and individuals, enthusiastically study spiritual and holistic measures to improve themselves. holistic measures to improve themselves.

Vata dosha - A rajasic influence creates Vata dosha - A rajasic influence creates indecisiveness, unrealibility, hyperactivity, and indecisiveness, unrealibility, hyperactivity, and anxiety.anxiety.

Pitta dosha – A rajasic influence creates Pitta dosha – A rajasic influence creates willfulness, ambition, anger, manipulation, willfulness, ambition, anger, manipulation, vanity, impulsiveness, and aggressiveness.vanity, impulsiveness, and aggressiveness.

Kapha dosha – A rajasic influence creates greed Kapha dosha – A rajasic influence creates greed for money, material luxuries, and comfort. They for money, material luxuries, and comfort. They are too sentimental, controlling, attached, and are too sentimental, controlling, attached, and lustful.lustful.

TamasTamas TamasTamas – “Destruction” The inertia, – “Destruction” The inertia,

darkness, and confusion. It is the object darkness, and confusion. It is the object to be observed. A tamasic predominant to be observed. A tamasic predominant mind is a dull, lethargic mind. mind is a dull, lethargic mind.

Vata dosha - A tamasic influence creates Vata dosha - A tamasic influence creates fear, dishonesty, depression, self-fear, dishonesty, depression, self-destructiveness, addictive behavior, destructiveness, addictive behavior, sexual perversions, animal instincts, or sexual perversions, animal instincts, or suicidal thoughts.suicidal thoughts.

Pitta dosha – A tamasic influence creates Pitta dosha – A tamasic influence creates vindictiveness, violence, hate, criminality, vindictiveness, violence, hate, criminality, and psychopathic behavior.and psychopathic behavior.

Kapha dosha – A tamasic influences Kapha dosha – A tamasic influences create dullness, sloth, lethargy, create dullness, sloth, lethargy, depression, lack of care and a tendency depression, lack of care and a tendency to stealto steal

Five ElementsFive Elements– Akasha = Space/EtherAkasha = Space/Ether

Spaces in body (mouth, nostrils, thorax, abdomen, cells)Spaces in body (mouth, nostrils, thorax, abdomen, cells)

– Vayu = AirVayu = Air Element of movement including muscular movement Element of movement including muscular movement

(contraction of lungs, intestines, movement in cells)(contraction of lungs, intestines, movement in cells)

– Agni = FireAgni = Fire Enzyme functioningEnzyme functioning Controls digestive system & regulates metabolismControls digestive system & regulates metabolism

– Jala = WaterJala = Water Found in plasma, blood saliva (digestive juices, mucous Found in plasma, blood saliva (digestive juices, mucous

membranes, cytoplasm)membranes, cytoplasm)

– Prthvi = EarthPrthvi = Earth Solid structures such as bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails, Solid structures such as bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails,

tendons, cartilage, teethtendons, cartilage, teeth

TridoshasTridoshas

Tri = threeTri = threeDoshas = components that carry over the Doshas = components that carry over the

functions of the bodyfunctions of the body VataVata, Pitta, and Kapha are the , Pitta, and Kapha are the

fundamental biological energies which fundamental biological energies which regulate all the life processes of an regulate all the life processes of an individual. We all have unique individual. We all have unique proportions of each dosha, which proportions of each dosha, which makes us individuals.makes us individuals.

VATAVATA

Governs the movement processes of Governs the movement processes of our bodyour body

blood flowblood flow elimination of wasteelimination of waste breathingbreathing movement of thoughtsmovement of thoughts activates nervous systemactivates nervous system expresses our creativityexpresses our creativity

PITTAPITTA

Governs transformations within the bodyGoverns transformations within the body production of heatproduction of heat metabolismmetabolism diffusional transformations (O to CO2)diffusional transformations (O to CO2) digestion of fooddigestion of food sensory perceptionsensory perception expresses our warmthexpresses our warmth

Pitta is said to keep the heart alive with passion and our will to live Pitta is said to keep the heart alive with passion and our will to live strongstrong

KAPHAKAPHA

Provides the material substance for our Provides the material substance for our physical formphysical form

lubricates jointslubricates joints comprises our body’s tissuescomprises our body’s tissues helps heal woundshelps heal wounds maintains immune systemmaintains immune system maintains blood volumemaintains blood volume expresses our emotionsexpresses our emotions

Kapha is said to provide substance to our bodies and intelligence to our cellsKapha is said to provide substance to our bodies and intelligence to our cells

VATA characteristicsVATA characteristics

Hair is dark, coarseHair is dark, coarse Thinner, slimmer skeletal farmThinner, slimmer skeletal farm Drier skin, darker skin toneDrier skin, darker skin tone Quick joint movementsQuick joint movements Light sleepersLight sleepers Mentally restlessMentally restless

PITTA characteristicsPITTA characteristics

Hair is thin, silky, greys prematurelyHair is thin, silky, greys prematurely Warmer, moist skinWarmer, moist skin Yellowish, copper tone to skinYellowish, copper tone to skin Average skeletal frameAverage skeletal frame Moods change quicklyMoods change quickly Judgmental and ambitiousJudgmental and ambitious

KAPHA characteristicsKAPHA characteristics

Hair is thick, wavyHair is thick, wavy Skin is thicker, pale, moist and coolSkin is thicker, pale, moist and cool Thicker, stout skeletal frameThicker, stout skeletal frame Operates at a slower mental, Operates at a slower mental,

physical pacephysical pace Deliberates choices carefullyDeliberates choices carefully Enjoys introspectionEnjoys introspection

IMBALANCES OF VATAIMBALANCES OF VATA

difficulty breathingdifficulty breathing excess movementexcess movement paralysisparalysis weak nervous systemweak nervous system fear, anxietyfear, anxiety hyperactivityhyperactivity

IMBALANCES OF PITTAIMBALANCES OF PITTA

excess body temperature or excess body temperature or inflammationinflammation

fast digestionfast digestion ulcer or acidityulcer or acidity eye inflammationseye inflammations skin diseasesskin diseases aggressive mindaggressive mind anger, emotional sensitivityanger, emotional sensitivity

IMBALANCES OF KAPHAIMBALANCES OF KAPHA

heaviness like obesityheaviness like obesity swelling and edemaswelling and edema fat deposits, cholesterol or cellulitefat deposits, cholesterol or cellulite mucous problemsmucous problems heavy mind-depression, sadness, heavy mind-depression, sadness,

silentsilent slow mindslow mind

Ayurveda & Modern Ayurveda & Modern MedicineMedicine

Most illnesses can be prevented if Most illnesses can be prevented if following an Ayurvedic way of livingfollowing an Ayurvedic way of living

Can help in post-operative recoveryCan help in post-operative recovery

Ayurvedic oils speed recovery of injuries Ayurvedic oils speed recovery of injuries & post-operative cases& post-operative cases

ENERGY CHANNELSENERGY CHANNELSYogaYoga – union of mind and body, and the various subtle – union of mind and body, and the various subtle

energies with the Divine Self. energies with the Divine Self. Nadis – Nadis – nerve channel. Some say there are 350,000 channels nerve channel. Some say there are 350,000 channels

in the body. There are 15 main channels but three very in the body. There are 15 main channels but three very important:important:

1. 1. SushumnaSushumna – the most important channel found in the – the most important channel found in the body and is considered to be a spiritual tube within the body and is considered to be a spiritual tube within the spine. Life force energy rises through this tube and deep spine. Life force energy rises through this tube and deep inside lie the chakras. inside lie the chakras. (sattva)(sattva)

2. 2. Ida nadiIda nadi – sometimes called the moon channel. It is – sometimes called the moon channel. It is found on the left side of the spine and encircles the chakras found on the left side of the spine and encircles the chakras and ends to the extremity of the left nostril. and ends to the extremity of the left nostril. (rajas)(rajas)

3. 3. Pingala nadiPingala nadi – sometimes called the sun channel. It – sometimes called the sun channel. It begins on the right side of the spine and encircles the begins on the right side of the spine and encircles the chakras and ends to the extremity of the right nostril. chakras and ends to the extremity of the right nostril. (tamas)(tamas)

Seven Major ChakrasSeven Major Chakras

1.1. muladhara “muladhara “root support” rootroot support” root Earth LAMEarth LAM

2.2. swadishthana “swadishthana “own abode” lower abdominal Water own abode” lower abdominal Water VAMVAM

3.3. manipura “manipura “city of jewels” solar plexus Fire city of jewels” solar plexus Fire RAMRAM

4.4. anahata anahata “unstuck melody” heart“unstuck melody” heart Air Air YAMYAM

5.5. vishddha vishddha “complete purity” throat“complete purity” throat Space Space HAMHAM

6.6. ajna ajna “guru’s command” third eye“guru’s command” third eye OM OM

7.7. sahasrarasahasrara “thousand petalled lotus” crown “thousand petalled lotus” crown

Prevention vs CurePrevention vs Cure

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on Ayurvedic treatment focuses on curing disease and restoring dosha curing disease and restoring dosha equilibrium as wellequilibrium as well

Promotes & preserves health, Promotes & preserves health, strength & longevitystrength & longevity

Daily RoutineDaily Routine

Following detailed daily routine leads to Following detailed daily routine leads to life filled with health & happinesslife filled with health & happiness

If followed exactly as directed average If followed exactly as directed average life span = 100 yearslife span = 100 years

Food contributes to strength, Food contributes to strength, complexion & vitalitycomplexion & vitality

Incorrect nutrition leads to diseasesIncorrect nutrition leads to diseases

Daily Routine Consists of:Daily Routine Consists of:

Early RisingEarly Rising CleanlinessCleanliness ExerciseExercise Satisfying Natural UrgesSatisfying Natural Urges Mental DisciplineMental Discipline

CleanlinessCleanliness

Taking care of body leads to good healthTaking care of body leads to good health Habits that are important include:Habits that are important include:

– Brushing teethBrushing teeth– Scraping tongueScraping tongue– Gargling & cleaning mouthGargling & cleaning mouth– Regular massageRegular massage– Application of oil on headApplication of oil on head– BathingBathing– Use of oils & scentsUse of oils & scents

ExerciseExercise

Keeps body & mind healthy & happyKeeps body & mind healthy & happy Avoid harm by following type of exercise Avoid harm by following type of exercise

depending on age & healthdepending on age & health– Kapha = performs heavy exercisesKapha = performs heavy exercises– Pitta = moderation, avoiding midday & Pitta = moderation, avoiding midday &

hot seasonshot seasons– Vata = regulated exercises, preferably Vata = regulated exercises, preferably

yoga, no aerobic exerciseyoga, no aerobic exercise Contradicted for those with bleeding Contradicted for those with bleeding

tendencies, heart diseases, asthma or tendencies, heart diseases, asthma or vertigo vertigo

Natural UrgesNatural Urges

Do not suppress natural physical urgesDo not suppress natural physical urges– Urination, defecation, hunger, thirst, Urination, defecation, hunger, thirst,

sleep, yawning, vomiting, flatus, sleep, yawning, vomiting, flatus, ejaculation, pantingejaculation, panting

– Satisfy natural urges instantly for Satisfy natural urges instantly for good healthgood health

Suppress harmful urgesSuppress harmful urges– Greed, fear, anger, vanity, jealousy, Greed, fear, anger, vanity, jealousy,

excessive attachment to anythingexcessive attachment to anything

Mental & Moral DisciplineMental & Moral Discipline

Exert mental health & moral discipline Exert mental health & moral discipline via:via:– Respect all beingsRespect all beings– Be of help to othersBe of help to others– Make firm decisions, be fearless, Make firm decisions, be fearless,

intelligentintelligent– Avoid people of greedy natureAvoid people of greedy nature– Avoid undesirable places Avoid undesirable places

MANTRAMANTRA

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 VATA 2-6 am/pm

PITTA 10-2 am/pm PITTA 10-2 am/pm

KAPHA 6-10 am/pmKAPHA 6-10 am/pm

Seasons

Summer Summer (June, July, Aug)(June, July, Aug) Kapha – pacifiesKapha – pacifies*good time to detox*good time to detox Pitta – aggravatesPitta – aggravates  FallFall (Sept, Oct, Nov) (Sept, Oct, Nov) Pitta – pacifiesPitta – pacifies Vata – accumulatesVata – accumulates  WinterWinter (Dec, Jan, Feb) (Dec, Jan, Feb) Vata – aggravatesVata – aggravates Kapha – accumulatesKapha – accumulates  SpringSpring (March, April, May) (March, April, May) Vata – pacifiesVata – pacifies Kapha – aggravatesKapha – aggravates Pitta – accumulatesPitta – accumulates

Classification of NutrientsClassification of Nutrients

TasteTaste DoshaDosha ElementsElements

SweetSweetKaphaKapha Earth & Water Earth & Water

SourSour PittaPitta Earth & Fire Earth & Fire

SaltySalty Kapha/Pitta Water & FireKapha/Pitta Water & Fire

BitterBitter VataVata Space & Air Space & Air

PungentPungent PittaPitta Fire & Fire & AirAir

AstringentAstringent VataVata Earth & Air Earth & Air

The Six Food QualitiesThe Six Food Qualities Heavy (V-P-K+): cheese, yogurt, meat, Heavy (V-P-K+): cheese, yogurt, meat,

wheat productswheat products Light (V+P+K-): popcorn, rice cakes, Light (V+P+K-): popcorn, rice cakes,

barley, corn, spinach, applesbarley, corn, spinach, apples Oily (V-P-K+): dairy products, fats, oilsOily (V-P-K+): dairy products, fats, oils Dry (V+P+K-): barley, corn, potatoes, Dry (V+P+K-): barley, corn, potatoes,

beans, rice cakes, popcornbeans, rice cakes, popcorn Hot (V-P+K-): hot spices, chilies, jalapenos, Hot (V-P+K-): hot spices, chilies, jalapenos,

hot drinkshot drinks Cold (V+P-K+): cold drinks, cranberry juice Cold (V+P-K+): cold drinks, cranberry juice

with spring water and limewith 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.