What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a system of medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago. It can literally be translated to “the study or science of life”. It is a complex system with ancient texts and many branches, including surgery and Vedic astrology. But when you distill Ayurveda down to its essence it is that we are nature, and what is happening outside of us is also happening inside of us.
Ayurveda is a living system. Although the root and heart of its teachings remain in tact, it has also evolved as it has traveled over continents and been handed down through generations. Ayurveda is a living system, meaning that although our modern lives here in the West are vastly different than the lives of the Seers and Ayurvedic practitioners of ancient India - the principles still hold true. As long as there is life to study, there will be Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is about being in tune with the cycles and seasons happening both outside and inside the body. Ayurveda is body, mind spirit medicine. It is somatic and preventative. It is a process of listening to the body, noticing imbalances, and correcting those imbalances through diet and lifestyle and herbs. Ayurveda is not a one time, quick fix, wham bam thank you ma’am and then you are healed. Ayurveda is a path of connecting to your life force and honoring your unique body mind and spirit’s needs. Over and over again. Sometimes you may lose the path, but it is always there, a golden thread to lead you back to yourself.
Ayurveda is about knowing yourself. Your own unique constitution, your blueprint. It is also about knowing your patterns, habits and ways you go out of balance. It is also about implementing the daily lifestyle routines that will help to keep you in balance. The small things that create more ease and prevent (dis)ease.
Does your diet change as the seasons change, favoring fresh local produce? That is Ayurveda. Does your preferred exercise and self care routine change with the seasons? That is Ayurveda. Are you in tune with your body’s circadian rhythm for sleeping and waking? That is Ayurveda. These are just a few examples.
Ayurveda can be complex and full of unfamiliar words and practices. But it is a living system. It is all around you and you may already be practicing the concepts of Ayurveda without even realizing it.
