Insights From Ayurveda - Yoga's Sister Science

What Is Ayurveda?

In ancient India, Ayurvedic physicians were paid only when everyone in the community they served was healthy.

How is that for flipping the script on wellness? Imagine if our healthcare system worked this way!

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian science of health and healing that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. In the United States, it has only been practiced for about 30 years. I was lucky to grow up with it as part of my family's wisdom and knowledge.

Ayurveda is the complimentary sister science to yoga. Its wisdom has been practiced by my family for generations and I’ve lived it, trained in it, and seen how it can help bring balance and health to our lives.

Ayur means life and veda means the study of something. So, together, Ayurveda is the science or study of life.

Let's look at how it enhances our wellbeing.

It Enhances Your Wellness

Ayurveda is a holistic science that can help in maintaining:

Physical health
Balancing your diet
Knowing disease tendencies
Providing safe and effective treatments
Determining a perfect exercise routine
Improving relationships
Finding a suitable career

Ayurveda is not a “one-size-fits-all" kind of wellness.

Ayurveda respects the uniqueness of each individual and offers natural ways to treat diseases and promote health.

It emphasizes prevention and empowers all who encounter it to take responsibility for their own well-being. It is also incredibly cost effective and it works!

Getting Started With Ayurveda

There are a few techniques for living a yogic, Ayurvedic balanced lifestyle.

Lifestyle is the foundation for creating peace, clarity and tranquility of mind.

This kind of lifestyle includes a pure diet full of organically grown, freshly cooked or raw vegetables, partaking in pure water and air, a good exercise regime, and internal and external cleanliness.

This purity of lifestyle includes living right (so working at things that bring happiness and joy to oneself and others and do not bring suffering or harm to oneself or others.) It also includes using joyful and beautiful speech that brings happiness to those who hear it.

For example, if we have a complaint or gossip, we should think twice before sharing it. It may feel satisfying in the moment, but can cause deep imbalances in our own health as well as the health of our family and community.

We are responsible for creating health and balance ourselves!

Only use what your own body wisdom tells you is true for you.

Ayurvedic wisdom and prescriptions are always suggestions. If any suggestion does not resonate with you or your life, disregard it!

Here are some clear guidelines from yogic and Ayurvedic wisdom to help bring joy and health to our lives:

Though we may want to resist it, routine is key for creating balance in life. Identify a routine that works for you and stick to it!
Get plenty of rest; get up early and try to be asleep by 10pm - follow the rhythm of nature
Avoid mental strain by keeping life as simple as possible
Keep your surroundings calming, clutter-free, neat and clean
Eat fresh food in medium-sized, slow, regular meals
Exercise 3-4 times per week - do yoga, tai chi, running, walking, or any activity that you enjoy
Drink plenty of water
Align with the seasons: Wear cool colors and eat cooling foods when it is warm outside!
Take balance between rest/leisure and activity
Take time for appreciating the beauty of nature

Following even a few of these simple, healthy Ayurvedic Wellness suggestions for a healthy lifestyle will bring lightness and joy to the mind, strengthen the body and create good health, strength and stamina.