ayurveda

What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The word "Ayurveda" comes from two Sanskrit words: "Ayur" meaning life and "Veda" meaning knowledge or science. So, it literally translates to "the science of life."

At its core, Ayurveda focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit to promote health and well-being. It emphasizes a holistic approach, meaning it treats the whole person rather than just specific symptoms. Ayurveda views each individual as unique, with a combination of three basic energies or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas represent different elements and characteristics in the body, and they influence everything from digestion and energy levels to emotions and behavior.

• Vata: associated with air and space, governs movement and communication.

• Pitta: linked with fire and water, governs metabolism and transformation.

• Kapha: related to earth and water, governs structure, stability, and lubrication.

In Ayurveda, health is achieved by maintaining a balance among these doshas, and imbalance is thought to lead to dis-ease. Ayurvedic treatments include adjustments in lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine, and include herbal medicine, yoga, meditation, and massage, all tailored to an individual's dosha and personal needs.