Herbal Therapies
The Ultimate Scoop on Ayurveda ---The Who, What, When, Why, & How By Mackenzie Snyderman
Ayur-whata? -What is Ayurveda and what is it's purpose?
> First of all, it is pronounced... ah-yer-vey-duh.
> Ayurveda is India's traditional system of health & healing.
> It is based on the recognition of the body's natural ability to restore inner balance.
> It honors the mind-body as a whole - recognizing that what effects one effects the other.
> It recognizes with great respect an individual's unique biological make up or constitution.
By observing the cycles/seasons found in nature and their relationship to the workings of the
human being, Ayurveda teaches us how to take control of our body, mind and life through
appropriate diet and lifestyle practices. Ayurveda is meant to not only be a healing system but
also an educational process that encourages the development of self-examination and
transformation.
When, Where and Who did it come from?
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word ("ayur," meaning "life" & "veda," meaning "knowledge or science")
Hence, Ayurveda is known as”the science of life”
Ayurveda emerged from ancient Indian texts known as the Vedas.(These texts are the oldest
known texts in the world, dating back to 3000 B.C.)
The Vedas were written by ancient scientists, philosophers, and sages.
Ayurveda has continued to evolve through thousands of years ofpractice and exposure to other
traditional medicine systems.
How does it work?
As we learn to nurture ourselves with the appropriate diet and lifestyle practices, we are afforded
the capacity to see, feel, taste, smell and/or hear our own internal voice of wisdom. This intuition
is the voice of the body and our connection to the intelligence and codes of conduct embedded
within our DNA or evolutionary script. Once attune to the cycles and elements that are
propelling our individual human experience, we can work gracefully with our mind-body system,
(rather than ignorantly against it) to maintain health, happiness and freedom.
This is done by:
The process of self-examination, determining your ayurvedic body type or dosha
The infiltration of balancing diet & herbs according to your dosha
The infiltration of balancing lifestyle practices & clearing of old patterns or thought processes
that are no longer serving you.
The infiltration of eating with the seasons & incorporating seasonal habits.
The use of individualized five sense therapies that serve to nurture and support you.
This is accomplished by the support and guidance of your Ayurvedic teacher or counselor