How to Heal Yourself: Ayurveda 101

Have you ever wondered about Ayurveda, the ancient science of life that has been practiced for thousands of years? Here’s a brief introduction to this transformative practice, its principles, foundational practices, the importance of routine and digestion, detoxification techniques, and the Ayurvedic approach to disease prevention.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the practice of self-healing using techniques that focuses on moving with the cycles of nature to promote balance. It is a holistic approach that considers the entire person — body, mind, and spirit — and seeks to maintain harmony among these elements.

Principles that govern Ayurvedic medicine

The philosophy of Ayurveda is based on several key principles. These include the notion that stagnant Prana (life force) is the cause of all disease, the concept that structure informs function, and the beliefs that like increases like and opposites balance. This means that whatever we consume or do in excess, will increase in our bodies, while introducing the opposite will restore balance.

The 5 Elements and The Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

According to Ayurveda, everyone is born with a unique combination of doshas which are pairs of the 5 base elements: earth, air, fire, water, and ether. The doshas are Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water), and Kapha (earth & water), and they determine…