What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a 5000 year old wisdom tradition from India that co-arose at the same time with Yoga. Ayurveda’s literal definition is “The Science of Life” and it teaches us how to live in balance in every area of life. Both Ayurveda & Yoga are Vedic Sciences – which means they come from the Vedas which are the oldest known written teachings on health & spirituality. All Vedic sciences are teachings to support the full development of human potential.
Ayurveda teaches that a persons nature is reflected in their Dosha (or body/mind constitution).There are 3 main Doshas. Vata (air/ether elements), Pitta (fire element) and Kapha (water & earth element). Knowing one’s Dosha gives information as to what sort of foods will be best for you, what sort of exercise is best, when you should sleep, and even what sort of climate you will thrive in. Ayurveda gives suggestions on the subjects of herbs, lifestyle, diet, exercise, digestion, seasonal wellness, and relationships all dependent on a persons unique dosha. It also suggests specific practices such as yoga asana, breath, and meditation. Imagine a roadmap that leads us closer to our best self – this is Ayurveda.
Live In Balance with Ayurveda
Ayurveda guides us how to create our daily routine & seasonal routines to align with the cycles of nature which helps to balance our circadian rhythms. These rhythms have been scientifically proven to be a factor in the prevention of chronic disease and enjoying a longer, healthier lifespan. Circadian rhythm is created by nature, and is like an ancient clock inside of us. The same laws that govern nature apply to us as well. Animals in the wild know when to sleep, what to eat, and how to stay healthy in the different seasons. The plants know when to flower, bear fruit, and send out their seeds in perfect timing. When humans are tuned in with nature, we are more likely to rise at dawn, eat foods that are unprocessed and seasonal, sleep when we’re tired, and appreciate our connection to that which sustains us.
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living
These days however, we tend to isolate from what’s happening in nature. This creates a modern lifestyle that is disconnected. Staying up late, being on media & computers, eating dinner late at night, and having an irregular daily routine disrupts our circadian rhythm which affects our sleep, digestion, metabolism, hormones, immune system and more. It makes it more challenging to maintain our health & well-being under these circumstances. Living in our modern culture makes it an especially important time to connect to Ayurveda and gain it’s wisdom. When we live in balance with nature’s rhythms our experience is ease. We are going with the flow. When we are not living in balance however our experience is dis-ease. Rather than being in the flow, we are swimming upstream.
Learn how to Yoke to the Seasons and create more flow in your life by attending the “Yoga of Spring” Program at EarthSpa this March 20th from 6:30-8:30 pm
~Rachel Breeze