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Spirit of India

AYURVEDA
the science of life

AYUR means life and VEDA means science or knowledge. Ayurveda is an ancient science of plant-based treatments that restore an individualÕs metabolic equilibrium and well being. It is a natural and effective way of keeping the body healthy and free of toxins, thus free of disease.

There are four vedas which form the basis of Indian philosphy: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Adharva Veda.

Ayurveda emerged as a branch of Adharva Veda, dating back over five thousand years. It is said to have originated from Lord Brahma (creator of the universe according to Hindu philosophy). The knowledge has been handed down through various generations of gods and saints and written in ancient scripts such as palm leaf book. The oldest works on Ayurveda now available are the Charaka Samhitha, Susrutha Samhitha and Ashtanga Samgraha. Ayurveda is also known as "Ashtanga Veda," literally meaning "eight branches of knowledge" as it is divided into eight specialized areas as follows:

1. Kaya Chikilsa - General Medicine
2. Kaumara Bhritya - Pediatrics
3. Graha Chikilsa - Psychiatry and psychsomatic diseases
4. Shalakya Tantra - Diseases of eye, ear, head, mouth, throat
5. Shalya Tantra - General surgery
6. Agada Tantra - Toxicology
7. Rasayana Chikilsa - Rejuvenation Therapy
8. Vajeekarana Chikilsa - Aphrodisiac Therapy

According to Ayurveda, every living and non-living being in this universe is a combination of five basic external elements, called Pancha Maha Bhoothas. Every cell of the human body posesses all the properties of life. The only dufference between the human body and the external world is the expression of Chaithanya or consciousness or life spark or spirit or soul.

The five basic elements are:

1. Earth
2. Water
3. Fire
4. Air
5. Ether (space)

Attention is paid to the Prakruti, the Constitutional Nature of each individual. According to Ayurveda there are seven prakrutis: Vata Type, Pitha Type, Kapha Type, VataPitha Type, VataKapha Type, PithaKapha Type, VataPitha Kapha Type.

Vata (air), Pitha (fire) and Kapha (earth) type are the three important constitutional natures.

These eternal elements manifest in the human body as three basic principles or subtle energies (Thridosha in sanskrit). The word dosha literaly means "that which maintains and controls the body."

The three major principles, doshas, that maintain and control the body - Vata, Pitha and Kapha - are each conceived as comprehensive terms in which all physical structures and physiological functions of the body, mind and consciousness are included.

Everyone has a predominant dosha, and keeping that force balance requires following a certain lifestyle, including diet and exercise.

Vata (air-dominant type) Characteristics: Under weight and slim, hair, teeth, bones and skin are brittle; head, chest, hands, legs, joints, nose, eyes and lips are narrow and dry; joint crepitations on movements. Speech: quick; Sleep: disturbed; Dreams: active, violent, vivid; Hunger/Thirst: variable; Favorite foods: sweet, bitter, salty; Intrinsic disposition friendly, calm, dependable, grateful, well-behaved, honest, joyful,etc. Movement: slow but firm; sweat: profuse; bowel:s constipated, dry, hard; sex: variable; health: weak, mostly short lived; diseases: low resistence; inclined to disease of nerves and mental illness.

Pitha (fire-dominant type) Characteristics: Medium height, can have soft, thin hair (often blonde) inclined to premature greying, forming of wrinkles and baldness, tendency for unpleasant bodily smell, cannot bear heat, thin skin. Head, chest, hands, legs, eyes, nose and lips etc. are normal and not dry. Eyes become red more quickly. Speech: sharp, cutting moderate; Sleep: little; Dreams: feary, anger, violence, war; Hunger/Thirst: strong; Favorite foods: cold, bitter, astringent, sweet; Intrinsic disposition bold, aggressive, intelligent, witty, violent, adventerous etc. Movement: moderate; sweat: profuse; bowels: semi solid, oily, soft loose; sex: average; health: medium strength, medium life expectancy; medium resistence to disease; inclined to all metabolic diseases.

Kapha (earth-dominant type) Characteristics: Powerful, firm, big bones, often over weight, smooth, luxuriant, greasy dark hair, hard skin, head, chest, hand and legs, joints, nose, eyes, lips etc. are big humid and firm can bear heat a little cold. Speech slow but steady; Sleep: deep sound; Dreams often of of lakes and beautiful panoramas; Hunger/Thirst: low stable; Favorite foods: hot spicy, bitter, astringent; Intrinsic disposition: friendly, calm, dependable, grateful, well behaved, resolute, honest, joyful etc. Movement slow but firm; Sweat: medium; bowels normal; sex: very intense; Health: strong,, high life expectancy; Diseases: strong resistence; Inclined to all diseases of breathing organs and lymphatic system, diseases of joints, etc.

The Vata principle represents the Air and Ether elements. It is considered as the prime dosha among the three as it governs the functions of all other doshas. The main site of Vata is the large intestine.

The properties of Vata are:
Dry
Light
Cold
Rough
Subtle and Minute
Moving

The functions of Vata are:
Controls Movement
Controls Breathing
Controls Natural Urges
Tissue Transformation
Motor Functions
Sensory Functions
Controls secretions and excretions
Fear
Impulses
Anxiety

Important sites of Vata are:
Large intenstine
Pelvic regions
Thighs
Ears
Bones
Skin

The Pitha principle. Navel is the main site of Pitha

The properties of Pitha are:
Slightly Oily
Penetrating
Hot
Light
Unpleasant Odor
Spreading nature
Liquid form

The functions are:
Facilitate metabolism and hormonal functioning
Regulates body heat
Helps digestion
Understanding
Intelligent
Hungar and thirst
Perception
Color and complexion
Anger
Hate
Jealousy

Important sites of Pitha are:
Naval
Stomach and upper part of small intestine
Sweat
Lymph
Blood
Eyes
Skin

The Kapha principle is phlegmatic. The Chest is the most important site.

The properties of Kapha are:
Oily
Cold
Slow acting
Slimy
Soft
Stable

The functions are:
Gives stability and energy to the body
development if the body
Lubrication
Enthusiasm
Sexual urges
Forgiveness
Immune resistence
Attachment
Holding
Possessiveness
Greed
Accumulation
Knowledge

Important sites of Kapha are:
Chest
Throat
Head
Trachea
Joints
Stomach
Lymph
Fat Tissue
Nose and tongue

Four additional factors: Dhathus, Malas, Agni and Trigunas, are necessary to the body to function in a state of equilibrium.

The Dhathus is the functional tissue of the body (blood, muscle plasma), the Malas are the by-products of the body (eliminated as sweat, unine and feces), the Agni converts food in such a manner that it is absorbed into the system and the Trigunas, are specific properties of the mind (Satwa: good morals, faith, Rajas: ego, anger, Tamas: fear, inadequate knowledge).

HEALTH according to Ayurveda can be defined as a state of equilibrium of the action of Doshas, Dhathus, Malas and Agni accompanied by a sensation of well being (tranquility) of body, senses, mind and soul. Such a person is called Swastha.

Treatments include Purification Therapy, purging the body of toxins; and Alleviating Therapy, the use of herbal medicines and oil massage, as well as the practices of yoga and meditation.

The main goal of Purification Therapy (Sodhana Chikilsa) is to eliminate the internal causative factors of the disease. A large quantitiy of toxic by-products are formed in the body as a result of continuous metabolic process, wrong body habits, wrong food habits, emotional imbalance etc. The therapeautic procedures to facilitate elimination are: 1. Vamana (Emesis therapy) Internal oral medicines used to induce vomiting. 2. Virechana (Purgation Therapy) Internal medicines to induce prugation. 3. Nasyam (Nasal Medication) Herbal medicines as oil or powder administered through the nostril. 4. Vasthy (Medicated Enema Therapy) Herbal medicines as decoction or oil administered through the anus. 5. Rakthamoksham (Blood Letting Therapy) Impure blood is drained out of the body through needle-pricking, venesection, leeching etc.

Alleviating Therapy (Shamana Chikilsa) is specially done after the Sodhana Therapy. Herbal medicines are used internally and externally to correct balance of the Doshas and to increase body immunity. The reststoration of balance is brought about without any elimination. Prior to the above therapies, the body is prepared for elimination through herbal medicines in the form of oil and ghee preparations used both internally and externally with massage. Also applied is Sweda karma, a sweating process such as steam bath and hot herbal bath.

Rejuvenation Therapy (Rasayana)
A definition of Rasayana in Ayurveda is described as: "That which destroys the old age and disease." It means that even when you are in your 80's or 90's, you are able to perform your normal duties and you don't have to depend on others. Rejuvenation or Rasayana is not intended for sense gratification as many of us think today. According to Ayurveda, rejuvenation is taken so that you become healthy and can explore the spiritual aspect of life. You can learn how to maintain a balance between material and spiritual aspects of life. This will help in establishing peace, happiness and love for which we are always hankering. The therapy aims at keeping the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition. These cells are revitalized and their composition changed. The tranquility of the mind has to be promoted and the nerves as well as bones are to be kept soft and soothened. This prevents the process of ageing and makes the individual free from disease even during an advanced age. The elder person will be able to see things like before and the sharpness of hearing and vision continues. Facial glow and skin color remain as in a younger person. Before starting the therapy, it is best for the body to be cleansed of metabolic waste products through specialized therapies indicated in the Panch Karma. The person taking Rasayana is taught to think, speak and work in such a way which would be conducive to development of a healthy society. In fact, these conducts are given much importance in Ayurveda and they themselves are considered to have rejuvenating effects on the human body. The Rasayana therapy can be taken in two different ways. Kutipravesika: In this the person has to stay indoors, preferrable at an ayurvedic clinic. The person has to strictly follow the diets and other instructions of the physician. He should undergo Panch Karma therapy before taking the rejuvenation. This type is, therefore, not suitable for a person who has to carry on his profession or family responsibilities. Vatatapika: This method is best for people who don't have time to stay in the Ayurvedic clinic. This type requires taking different types Ayurvedic herbal preparations which are prescribed by the doctor.

Ayurvedic Health Resorts in India

:Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttar Pradesh
Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort, Khajuraho
Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort, Kerala
Somatheeram and Manaltheeram, near Trivandrum, Kerala
Marari Beach Resort, Marikulam, Kerala

Click here for details on a Special Ayurvedic Resort Package

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941