What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda 101
You may have heard of Ayurveda or maybe you haven’t…but I’m sure you have experienced it.
Ever try dry brushing? Used a tongue scrapper or drank lemon water in the morning? Drank a golden milk or ate a form of Kitchari? If you’ve answered yes to any of these, you have experienced Ayurveda. To put it simply, Ayurveda is a ancient healing system dating back to over 5000 years derived from the Vedas. Ayu comes from the root “ayuh” which means longevity and veda comes from “vid” which is to know or understand. Beyond a healing system, it’s purpose is to reveal us to our own true nature.
Ayurveda is the root of all other systems of medicine we see today. The knowledge of Ayurveda is known as “the science of life”. What’s amazing is still 5000 years later, this system is prevalent (maybe more than ever) and modern science is just catching up.
Ayurveda is the sister of Yoga, as they both emerge from the same time and place. Both have their own “limbs” and systems to honor the body and mind as a whole for optimal healing. Both help us with the knowledge of one’s self through lifestyle practices. Yoga eases us in feeling into the body and mind on a deeper level…sort of like a path to what needs to be revealed. Ayurveda will give us the recipe to take that knowledge into healing hands through herbs, tonics, food choices, sleep and our use of the senses. Both work on the physical and energy body which of course results in connection to the mental body.
In Ayurveda - there is a focus on our inner and outer cosmic connection to nature. We are not so different, as we too - like the stars, tress and butterflies all emerged from the same atoms. The focus on the 5 Great elements within (Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth) lead us to the dominant energetic constitutions (Doshas). Our prana (life force energy) is disrupted within, we see a disruption or imbalance in the Doshas. We then can use the elements to balance and pacify to heal discomfort and prevent disease. Both Yoga and Ayurveda focus on prana but Ayu-Yoga classes will focus particular on the Dosha’s requirements to balance, as the energetics vary on sequence, tempo, breath, etc.
The main pillars offered in Ayurveda for optimal health:
Ahara (Diet/Nutrition) Are you eating for your dosha?
Nidra (Sleep/Rest) Are you oversleeping or not getting enough rest?
Brahmacharya (The senses) Are you overstimulating sight? Do you give your speech rest?
Additionally, the subtle energies connected to the Doshas are also at play for health and are connected within each other.
Agni (Digestion) Our we process not only food, but emotions, thoughts, memories, experiences
Ojas (Vitality) Our immunity, vitality and LOVE!
Tejas (Inner Light/Radiance/Fire) Our will or fire of the mind
Prana (Life force/Breath of Life) Our flow from within and out
In our approach to Ayurveda, we aim classes to balance and regulate the physical and emotional body. Because Ayurveda is not just about healing, it’s also about prevention. So modern modification may be met to create that balance for yourself but we encourage you to start choosing classes on the energetics you need…and see the shift in your practice!
