What is Ayurveda?

Welcome to Ayurveda, one of the oldest healing and self-care systems in the world. Understanding Ayurveda is akin to learning a new language. It changes your view of yourself and your world. Ayurveda is the language of nature itself.

Ayurveda is often translated as the “Science of Life” or “Life Knowledge.” Ayu means “life” and Veda means “pure, timeless knowledge.” Originating in India over 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda is a system viewing wellness holistically, pinpointing the root cause of imbalances and giving us the discernment between what is helpful vs harmful to us.

Ayurveda is a pure and timeless practice. Historically, Ayurvedic care was reserved for the Raj, or royal families. Everyday families had daily practices and remedies rooted in Ayurveda to protect their family and heal minor health issues. Today, Ayurveda is still relevant and necessary to support our busy modern lives. We can integrate these ancient practices to create harmony within our mind, body.

Life According to Ayurveda

Ayurveda describes the physical world as a complex intertwining and interdependent flow of Prana, or life force energy. Prana is the source of the five elements (pancha mahabhutas), three energetic forces (doshas), and 20 paired qualities of matter (gunas). Together, they all ebb and flow in harmony with one another in a cosmic dance, delicately balanced throughout the universe, in nature and in every cell of our body.

It’s All About Prana

Life is wherever Prana is flowing. This is true for the human body, an animal body, even a body of water. How is this true? Can you live without air, water, or food? Yes, temporarily. What you can’t live without, for even a fraction of a second, is Prana. Prana is that important.

What is Prana?

Prana’s originates from the seed of creation itself, the Aditattva or the vibration of OM. From that vibration, the element of the akash, or space manifests. This space element then becomes the tritattva, the three elements of prana: soma, agni and marut.  Soma is the nurturing component, Agni is the transformational component and Marut is the intellectual component.

Prana is also the vibration that manifests into the five elements of space, air, fire, water and earth, Maha Pancha Bhutas, and the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Every object around us, including ourselves, is a collection of these five elements. Our mind and body are regulated by the energetic forces of the doshas.

Most disciplines of Ayurveda talk about the doshas and their state of balance as the cause of disease. However, the doshas are a reflection of Prana themselves. Therefore, the true root case of our imbalances is compromised Prana.

Manage your Prana, Manage your Bliss

When Prana is received, flowing freely and used within our body and mind properly, good health results. If Prana is compromised, our body functions less than optimally and disease can result. Our diet, lifestyle, environment, sleep, and experiences all impact Prana. Prana is the master rejuvenator, maha rasayana. By managing our Prana, with prana rich foods, good sleep, self care and lifestyle practices, we can naturally return to balance and bliss.

There’s many books on Ayurveda, including the most famous classical text, the Charak Samhita, used by practitioners and doctors. For everyday learning, you can explore these books.