The Art of Natural Healing
Ayurveda and Yoga
Yoga and Ayurveda are two paths intertwined in a close relationship.
Ayurveda, which means “knowledge of life,” is the ancient art and science of keeping the body and mind balanced, and healthy. On the other hand, Yoga is the ancient art and science of preparing the body and mind for the eventual liberation and enlightenment of the soul.
Ayurveda and Yoga have their origin in the Vedas, and thus share the same fundamental philosophical aims.
Ayurveda’s predominant current aim is the treatment of disease, whilst Yoga has aimed at spiritual development.
Ayurveda is the traditional natural medicine of India. It takes into account each person’s individual mind/body characteristics when giving advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to help restore balance.
Ayurveda believes that no two people are the same, even if they have the same constitution. Both patients might have the same ailment, but the treatment would be delivered in a different way, or maybe a completely different treatment would be called for.
The Origins of Ayurveda in The Modern World
Ayurvedic medicine, or Ayurveda, has its roots in the Hindu religion and focuses on both prevention and cures by looking at how well the body is balanced. Using three systems, or doshas — the nervous (Vata), arterial (Kapha) and venous (Pitta) — practitioners of Ayurveda help people keep their insides and outsides in check with the physical and spiritual world.
Western cultures have been embracing holistic medicine or treating the whole patient — mind, body and spirit — in recent decades, but as many as 80 percent of people in India have been doing the same for about 3,000 years.
In the U.S., Ayurveda is considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
What Can You Expect From an Ayurveda Session
The first thing that an Ayurvedic Practitioner will do is determine your mind and body constitution or prakriti because that will determine the path the treatment will take.
Yoga teachers who learn about Ayurveda can be more effective by applying a holistic and individualized approach for each student.
An Ayurvedic practitioner will address all of the issues that may lead to disease in the body and mind including viral causes, aspects of diet, seasonal patterns, natural constitution (body types or Doshas) and lifestyle choices. For example, there is not just one type of yoga that is suitable for every student.
The Benefits of Ayurveda
There must be a reason why around 70% uses exclusively Ayurveda as a health care system. Check out some of its benefits:
- It encourages you to love yourself and care for yourself. With its focus on each individual uniqueness, Ayurveda aims to have you understand you are truly unique and so are your needs.
- It offers a unique approach to being healthy. Ayurveda focuses on understanding that healthy is your natural state. If you and your environment are in balance, that’s considered optimum health, and the opposite goes for being unbalanced.
- It helps you understand your place in life. A principle of Ayurveda is that we are a part of nature. The natural elements, how they behave and the interaction they have in your life is key in the practice of Ayurveda.
- It teaches you how to clean up your energy. Cleansing the system with a Ayurvedic-based diet, and cleansing the mind with things like meditation and yoga on a regular basis will allow you to recalibrate with greater ease, and greater access to inner-peace.
- It provides a full-circle philosophy. While the health benefits will positively impact your physical self, it also brings together your mind, body, and soul and keeps balance within it all.
- It will improve your cellular health. Research shows that Ayurveda has the potential to actually regenerate cells.
- It helps reduce toxins in the body. Various practices within Ayurveda, like eating your largest meal at lunchtime, when the sun is at its highest will prevent toxins from further developing.
- It improves your digestion. As you begin to eat for your dosha, your digestive system will strengthen. Having optimal digestion also helps you to keep a healthy weight and feel less agitated.
- It helps reduce stress and enhance well-being. Through incorporating a diet that is specifically tailored to your needs, you can begin to find clarity in your body and mind.
- Structure regarding your ideal diet. The Ayurveda diet is very clear about what you should eat based on your dosha. The guidelines on what to eat and when are simple to follow.
Is Ayurveda Good For Everyone?
Simply put, YES!
However, you need to be aware that following an Ayurvedic diet will feel a bit restrictive and maybe confusing at the beginning. Although this will pass as soon as you get used to it!
Ayurveda at Long Beach School of Yoga
At Long Beach School of Yoga, our teacher training course and workshops show teachers how to apply Ayurvedic wisdom in their own lives and then they learn how to help others reconnect to natural healing through the resources of this ancient healing science.
Want to join us at our Ayurveda For Yogis Workshop on March 22nd, 2020? Register here!
- Lectures 0
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 60 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 32
- Assessments Yes