entry #10 Ayurveda: Why is makes sense

For over 5,000 years, cultures all over the world have practiced the "Science of Life" through Ayurveda. 

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda translates: 
Ayur = Life, Veda = Science or Knowledge.  

This is a teaching that recognizes humans are part of nature. The Chopra Center describes Ayuveda as:

"It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and the proper use of our senses, Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit."

Historically, Western culture has scoffed the teachings of holistic health and wellness to "practice medicine". Western philosophy of medicine is to treat the problem AFTER it has happened. Eastern Medicine's philosophy, specifically Ayurveda, teaches that if you care for your body, you will reduce your chances for poor health and not need treatment of a problem. The whole person is considered in the teachings of Ayurveda: mind, body, spirit.

Ayurveda teaches that humans are one with the earth. That if we pay attention to our surroundings, the earth will provide what we need, seasonally. In the book Ayurvedic Healing, a "Seasonal Routine" is described as:

"We have seen how our biorhythms connect to the earth’s most obvious rhythm, its daily rotation. They connect also to another rhythm—the earth’s journey around the sun, the year. The year influences us most through the many factors, such as weather, length of day, and flora, that change with the seasons. Seasonal transitions challenge the body; they cause minor illnesses and contribute to larger ones. By adjusting the patient’s routine to the season, MAV aims to keep the body in balance, and thus reduce colds, sore throats, and other seasonal ailments, while maximizing strength and vitality.Modern science, which has been studying daily biological rhythms for years, is only beginning to consider annual rhythms. Researchers have found that the levels of certain key hormones vary with the seasons. Medicine also knows that some people become depressed in the winter, in what is called Seasonal Affective Disorder Syndrome. Ayurveda has discussed the seasons’ effects for thousands of years. Its knowledge is detailed and of immediate clinical value."

I believe there is a movement happening, not only in our classroom, but globally. We are waking up to the fact that we the more disconnected from nature we are, the more problems we have. For years our culture has pushed for more and bigger, while forgetting how to provide for ourselves and our family--the basics. The good news it there is so much more information at our finger tips on how to live a healthier, more balanced life that we can begin to make a change. We are finally realizing that maybe there really is something to the 5,000 + year old teaching of harmony with nature.

Ayurveda teaches that the location we live in should dictate how we eat. In other words, someone living in New York in the summertime should be eating differently than someone in Mexico in the summertime because nature provides all the nutrients for the body for that environment. The earth should provide the nutrition you need, taking you back to your ancestor roots of living from the earth. It just makes sense: eat local, organic, non-processed foods.

The science of Ayurveda is just that, a science. There are schools all over the world dedicated to teaching this practice. One of the first things Ayurveda teaches individuals to find for optimum health is their "Dosha". A Dosha is an individual's mix of mind/body and mental/physical characteristics you are born with. There are three Doshas: Vata (air), Pitta (Fire and Earth), Kapha (Earth and Water). Each Dosha has certain ways of eating and living for a balanced and harmonious life. Take the Dosha Quiz below and come back.

QUIZ: DOSHA

As for me, I am a Kapha. I know what foods I should be avoiding and which exercises are best for my body type. When I first began eating for my Dosha I was living in Costa Rica; I never felt happier and healthier. When I returned to the States, I maintained my Ayurvedic way of life for a while then slowly began slipping into my hold habits. Over the summer, I went to the dark side and slipped from everything I know is good for me. In the picture to the right you can see how an Ayurvedic lifestyle changed me physically in just one month. My skin, my body, and my overall happiness gave me a glow that was undeniable. I am looking back to getting my balance back!

I will be using the charts below to get me and my family back on track.  Honestly, I don't really need the charts because I could simply look around at my surroundings, visit the farmer's market and ask more questions about what is in season--you know, common sense. I invite you to also take a look at your overall health and ask yourself if there is room for improvement?