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Ayurveda is a 5000 year-old holistic Indian science,
which means science of life or longevity (Ayur means
life, Veda means knowledge). Ayurveda is a natural
science that is predicated on the belief that mind,
body and spirit are mutually interconnected, and the
equilibrium within is a direct reflection of one's
physical and mental health. Buddhism, Taoism, Tibetan,
and other cultural medicines have many similar parallels
to Ayurveda. The principles of many natural healing
systems now familiar in the West, such as Homeopathy
and Polarity Therapy, also have their roots in Ayurveda.
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| Philosophy
of Ayurveda |
The Great Elements
Ayurvedic philosophy believes that everything in the
universe is made up of a combination of 5 'great elements':-
Akaasa, Vaayu, Tejas, Ap and Prithvi
- Akaasa (Ether/Space/Sky)
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Vaayu ( air )
- Tejas ( Fire )
- Ap ( water )
- Prithvi( earth )
Ayurveda defines a human as the assemblage of the
five great elements plus the "immaterial self".
These five elements in turn combine with each other
to give rise to three bio-physical forces (or Doshas)
- Vatha (air & space),
Pitta (fire & water)
and Kapha (water &
earth). Every individual has within them all three
bio-physical forces, but it is the dominance of any
one or two or all three that makes up a person's individual
constitution.
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Literally translated this defines the signs and symptoms
of a healthy person; ( Balanced humours (doshas),
healthy digestive fire (agni), and a good state of
tissues (dhatus and malas), lead to a balanced state
of the senses, mind and spirit, all of which lead
to the ultimate state of health and well-being.)
In order to acquire a better understanding of
the above statement, it is essential to understand
and analyze the meaning of these words
Samadoshah
- Dosha means 'that which
changes'. The Pancha mahabhutas or five
elements that dictate and form the governing principles
of everything in nature combine in pairs to form the
doshas or the three bio-energies,
which control and perform all the physical and physiological
functions in the human body.
The three active doshas are called : - Vatha, Pitta
and Kapha |
Dosha |
Related
Elements |
Vatha |
Air and Ether |
Pitta |
Fire and Water |
Kapha |
Water and Earth |
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The combination of Vatha, Pitta, and Kapha that was
present in the individual at the time of conception
is maintained throughout his lifetime. A balance among
the tridoshas is necessary for health. Your constitution
or Prakruti is unique to you just as your fingerprint
and DNA. Thus, in order to understand a person, it
is necessary to determine his or her Prakruti. When
their actions in our mind-body constitution are balanced,
we experience psychological and physical wellness.
When they are unbalanced discernible symptoms of sickness
can be observed and experienced. Ayurveda recognizes
that different foods, tastes, colors, and sounds affect
the doshas in different ways.
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| VATHA
PRINCIPLE |
It is considered as prime among the three
as it governs the function of all other doshas |
The Properties
of Vatha Are |
The
Functions Of Vatha Are |
Important
Sites of Vatha Are |
1.
Dry |
1.
Controls Movement |
1.
Large Intestine |
2.
Light |
2
. Controls Breathing |
2. Pelvic
Regions |
3.
Cold |
3.
Controls Natural Urges |
3.
Thighs |
4.
Rough |
4. Tissue
Transformation |
4.
Ears |
5.
Subtle and Minute |
5.
Motor Functions |
5.
Bones |
6.
Moving |
6.
Sensory Functions |
6.
Skin |
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7.
Controls Secretions & Excretions |
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8.
Fear |
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9.
Impulses |
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10. Anxiety |
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Large
intestine is the main site of Vatha
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| PITTA
PRINCIPLE |
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The
Properties of Pitta Are |
The
functions of Pitta are |
Important
Sites Of Pitta Are |
1
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Slightly
Oily |
1 |
Facilitate
metabolism and |
1 |
Navel
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2
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Penetrating
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Hormonal
Functioning |
2 |
Stomach
and upper |
3
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Hot
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2 |
Regulates
Body heat |
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part
of small intestine |
4
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Light
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the
temperature |
3 |
Sweat
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5
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Unpleasant
Odour |
3 |
Helps
digestion |
4 |
Lymph
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6
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Spreading
Nature |
4 |
Understanding
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5 |
Blood
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7
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Liquid
form |
5 |
Intelligent
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6 |
Eye
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6 |
Hunger
and thirst |
7 |
Skin
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7 |
Perception
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8 |
Colour
and complexion |
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9 |
Anger
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10 |
Hate
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11 |
Jealousy
etc. |
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Navel
is the main site of Pitta |
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| KAPHA
PRINCIPLE |
This
is the phlegmatic Principle and its properties
are |
The
functions of Kapha are |
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The
important sites of Kapha Are |
1
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Oily
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1
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It
gives stability and |
1
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Chest
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2
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Cold
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energy
to the Body |
2
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Throat
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3
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Heavy
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2
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Development
of the body |
3
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Head
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4
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Slow
acting |
3
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Lubrication
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4
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Trachea
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5
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Slimy
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4
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Enthusiasm
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5
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Joints
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6
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Soft
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5
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Sexual
urges |
6
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Stomach
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7
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Stable
etc. |
6
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Forgiveness
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7
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Lymph
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7
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Immune
resistance |
8
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Fat
tissue |
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8
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Attachment
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9
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Nose
and tongue |
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9
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Holding
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10
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Possessiveness
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11
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Greed
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12
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Accumulation
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13
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Knowledge
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Out
of these Chest is the most important site.
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Samagni
Agni refers to the
biological fire that governs metabolism. It covers
the whole sequence of chemical changes and interactions
in the body and mind. A balanced agni therefore
is vital for health. The body's immunity and physical
strength are related in direct proportion to the heat
energy produced in the body. According to Ayurveda,
there are thirteen types of agni in the mind and body
as per the conversion and activity in the body.
Samadhatumala
There are seven dhatus (
elements) that form the pillars of the body and form
the means of nourishment and growth while providing
support to the body as well as the mind. They are
Rasa (fluid), Rakta
(blood), Masma
(muscle), Medas (fat),
Ashti ( bone), Majja
(bone marrow) and Shukra
(reproductive tissue).
Malas
are the waste products generated as a result of metabolic
activity in the human body. The three primary Malas
are Purisa (faeces),
Mutra (urine) and Sweda
(sweat).
All three, the doshas, dhatus and
malas in balanced measures are necessary and sufficient
to live a healthy life. Any disproportion in them
can lead to disease and decay. While most western
medical philosophies consider the body and mind as
separate and independent, Ayurveda considers human
beings as an essential part of the great universe.
Health is therefore considered to be a dynamic balance
within a person's body, mind and spirit, with the
environment outside.
Prasanna
Atmendriya Manaha
When all the physical aspects of
the human body are balanced, then and only then will
the mind and soul be in a state of equilibrium and
health. Disturbances in the mental equilibrium can
manifest as physical ailments.
Hence the interplay of the body,
mind, senses and the soul result in the final state
of the human being - be it balanced or imbalanced.
The sole aim of Ayurveda is to provide
a holistic insight into the state of one's, body,
senses, mind and ultimately soul and offer solutions
in order to attain equilibrium within oneself and
with nature itself.
Treatments
in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic treatments involve in first
identifying the individual's constitution and the
nature of the imbalance and then seeking to return
the individual's body to a state of healthy balance.
The treatments consist of the use of:
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Specialist massages using herb-infused
massage oils
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Nutritional advice tailored
to bring balance to a person's individual constitution
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Advice on lifestyle habits
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Specially selected yoga exercises
Specialist Ayurvedic treatments also
include:
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Panchakarma (five step detox
treatment) - this highly effective treatment involves
a five step programme of internal cleansing. It
restores and maintains good health, strengthens
the immune system and protects the body against
diseases by removing toxins and rejuvenating your
body's internal systems.
for information regarding our Personal
Consultation Service with our experienced leading
Ayurvedic physician please
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