What is your Ayurvedic Constitution (Dosha)? |
Cual es mi Constitución de Ayurveda? (Español) |
The Genesis of Ayurveda
The word Ayurveda comes from the roots: Ayur = Life & Veda = Knowledge. Ayurveda originates in India and is an Upaveda (a subsection) of the 4th Veda named Atharva Veda. The Vedas are four scientific-spiritual books which contain all the sacred knowledge that lead us to a plentiful and prosperous life. The Atharva Veda is the Veda of Compensation, Rectification, and Correction. When our knowledge, actions, and will are disturbed (living in modern times we forget about nature), we "invite" disease. Therefore, the study of Ayurveda helps us to reestablish harmony by re-learning the Laws of Nature and how they affect our bodies. This concept is the basis of The 5 Element Theory (Sankhya = to know the truth) and The 3 Ayurvedic Constitutions.
Understanding Ayurvedic Knowledge
Moreover than simply understanding The 5 Element Theory and The 3 Ayurvedic Constitutions, is the in-depth study of diet, which include the study of The 20 Qualities of Matter, The 3 Categories of Food, and The 6 Tastes of Food. Ayurveda also includes an in-depth study of Anatomy and Physiology (the 7 Dhatus - the 7 Tissues). In addition, the psychosomatic effects of how the mind (manas), ego (ahamkara), intellect (buddhi), and Atman (the Soul) all interrelate is what truly differentiates Ayurveda from any other holistic health care modality in the world today.
The Practical Aspects of Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Practitioners prescribe various herbs and perform Panchakarma (the 5 Actions) upon the body in order to rid it of excess toxins and bring the body back to harmony and health. Ayurveda is a "Sister Science" of various other well known techniques to reestablish harmony back to life, such as, Yoga (physical asanas), Pranayama (breathing techniques), and Dhyana (meditation).