Yoga with Ayurveda

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic medicine (abbreviated "Ayurveda") is one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems, focusing on the body and mind. It was developed in India over 3,000 years ago.

Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and well-being depend on a delicate balance between body, mind, and spirit. The primary goal is to promote good health, not to combat disease. However, treatments can be targeted at specific health problems.

The doshas

Those who practice Ayurveda believe that each person is made up of five basic elements found in the universe: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These combine within the human body to form three life forces or energies, called doshas . They determine how your body functions. They are Vata dosha (space and air); Pitta dosha (fire and water); and Kapha dosha (water and earth).

Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas, but one is usually more prevalent than the other. Ayurveda believes that physical and mental health problems are caused by a disruption of the natural, personal balance of the doshas.

Ayurvedic remedies

To restore or prevent an imbalance in the doshas, Ayurveda recommends various products and rituals, such as:

• Drinking water from a copper bottle or cup
• Massages with different oils also known as abhyanga
• Cleaning the tongue with a tongue scraper
• Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises