Ayurveda as a lifestyle choice

“Those who can’t change their minds can’t change anything” – George Bernard Shaw

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is an ancient system of health and wellbeing, which originated in India over 5000 years ago. It accepts the Vedic hypothesis that the microcosm (human) and the macrocosm (universe) are identical. It treats each person as a whole, comprising recommendations for the body, the senses, the mind and the spirit. Aspects of Ayurveda that you might be familiar with include yoga, mantras, meditation and massage, however the full system includes adherence to the correct diet and lifestyle in order to promote physical and mental health.  According to Ayurveda the mind and body affect each other and together they form the seat for disease when out of balance. The preventative aspect of Ayurveda includes daily and seasonal regimes, correct diet and social behaviour that are conducive to good mental health.

Good health

Ayurveda tells us that everything in the universe is made of the pancha mahabhutas  or five great elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. Thus humans too are made of these elements, in different proportions, giving us our dosha (body & mind type): vata, pitta, kapha. All that we ingest from food, drink, thoughts, external factors such as heat/cold, wind/damp, arguments and relationships contain these elements and thus affect the balance of our dosha. Over time, if not corrected, our physical and mental health show signs of becoming imbalanced; if we ignore these signs disease takes hold. The health of the body depends on the equilibrium of the pancha mahabhutas, bodily tissues and waste products.

Ayurveda stresses two important factors for good health:

  • the health of your gut will result in poor physical and mental health if it is out of balance over time; it will be unable to correct itself with disease resulting. From the conversion of food many waste products are formed, similarly from eating wrong foods, bad eating habits or an impaired digestive system, toxic substances are formed in the body. If these are not eliminated successfully diseases are created.
  • the health of your mind will be reflected in your body, the mind is inherently unstable and can be easily agitated and disturbed. It can be kept calm by keeping emotions like anger, greed, fear and shame under control via yoga, meditation, massage and pranayama.

Self massage is a daily practice in Ayurveda.

Abhyanga Full Body Massage: Traditional Ayurvedic massage using herb-infused oils to relax the body, ease tension and rebalance your mind and body.

Shirobhyanga Head, Neck & Shoulder Massage: Ayurvedic head massage focuses on the shoulders, neck, face and head, the areas most vulnerable to stress and tension. The head massage induces a state of calm, peace and tranquility and promotes high levels of alertness and concentration.

Ayurvedic Treatments

Ayurvedic Consultation (1 hour 30 minutes): This consultation will help you to determine your dosha and provide diet and lifestyle coaching. With the right knowledge you can take charge of your physical and mental health and live in accordance with the laws of nature. If you think this approach is helpful to you, we can continue with Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coaching sessions.