Lord Dhanvantari
Father of Ayurveda
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The Practice – Rejuvenation with Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a time honored medical system with a principled approach to the “science of living.” It is based on a deep understanding of eternal truths about the human body, mind and consciousness. Ayurveda, one of the oldest systems of medicine and the most complete, takes a logical commonsense approach to health and living combined with philosophy, psychology and spiritual guidance. At the heart of Ayurveda lies the fundamental truth that everything exists in relation to something else and not in isolation. The overriding aim is to re-establish harmony between aspects of a person’s life which should be, but is not, in the path of balance.
Ayurveda teaches that everything in the world is made up of a combination of the three doshas, and that the doshas themselves combine two of the five elements: Vata is Ether/Air (movement); Pitta is Fire (Transformation) and Kapha is Water/Earth (Matter). To heal ourselves or others we must set in motion that “vital force” which influences all matter and mental energies. An Ayurvedic customized bodywork treatment requires an interview/intake appointment!
The doshas, body types/functions, are briefly described as follows:
Vata governs all movement in the mind and body. It controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind. Since Pitta and Kapha cannot move without it, Vata is considered the leader of the three Ayurvedic Principles in the body. It’s very important to keep Vata in good balance.
Pitta governs all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. It controls how we digest foods, how we metabolize our sensory perceptions, and how we discriminate between right and wrong. Pitta governs the important digestive “agnis” or fires (enzymatic actions) of the body.
Kapha governs all structure and lubrication in the mind and body. It controls weight, growth, lubrication for the joints and lungs, and formation of all the seven tissues — nutritive fluids, blood, fat, muscles, bones, marrow and reproductive tissues.
All matter, organic and inorganic, exists according to a set of predetermined laws. Animals live according to a set of rules, which promote their healthy survival and they reproduce in the correct season. Plant life follows an innate pattern ensuring that leaves, flowers and fruits grow in a timeless Divine order. Similarly, when humans do not live according to vibrational harmony/principles that result in balance and pristine serenity, they become a host for dis-ease.
Panchakarma is the traditional Ayurvedic system consisting of five cleansing therapies: virechan (purgation), vaman (vomiting), basti (herbal/oil enema), Rakta mosha (bloodletting) and nasya (nasal). Marma points are grouped according to regions of the body (arm, legs 22), abdomen 3, chest 9, back 14, head and neck 37. They are also grouped according to muscles, tendons/ligaments, arteries, veins, joints and bones, totaling 107 marma points. The mind is considered the 108 marma. The manner in which one appreciates his/her experiences in life rests within the 108 marma. It is where true healing takes place FIRST!
Illness and any form of dis-ease result from excess conditions within the network of vital body functions. Build-up of toxins (ama) impairs the natural function of the organs, systems and channels (srotas). Panchakarma promotes healing and restoration by eliminating these toxins. It is a gentle process, a luxurious and pristine balancing experience that achieves deep cleansing while assisting the body to exercise its inherent rejuvenative abilities. Ayurveda marma (subtle energy) bodywork, herbal steaming or sweating, herbal formulas, pranayam, yoga, diet, proper lifestyle adjustments and other therapeutic internal/external cleansing techniques allow the body to live a life of inner/outer mind body consciousness balance: blissfully active and actively blissful!
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