Ayurveda – Achieving Wellness Through Harmony

Ayurveda is India’s traditional, system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and is the oldest natural medical system in the world. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which translated means "science of life" or "practices of longevity." Ayurveda was the system of health care created and developed by the seers (rishis) which evolved over time. For several thousand years their teachings were passed on as an essential oral tradition however, between the fifth to sixth century BC, texts were written down in Sanskrit, the original language of India.

Ayurveda provides an integrated approach to overall wellness of the body through lifestyle changes, nutrition, and a variety of natural therapies. It is based on the basic idea that the elements (Panchamahabhutas), forces (Doshas) , are the basis and principles that comprise all of nature, which bind it together and make life function - are also reflected in people. 

In Ayurveda, the mind (consciousness), the body (physical mass), and spirit, are bound together as one being and make us total beings. Mind-body-spirit is one and cannot be seen in isolation from any of each other. The universal consciousness is a mass of energy which gives rise to the physical world which we are able to see and feel with our senses. Ayurveda sees a link between us and our environment - in essence, we are intertwined with every aspect of nature, each other, and the universe.

Mental health cannot be achieved without physical health, and spiritual balance, and vice versa. Our mental, physical, and spiritual states therefore must be in harmony to achieve overall health and wellness.

In Ayurvedic medicine, illnesses that can be termed as mental are just as important as illnesses of the physical body. Both are caused by an imbalance within our being. Ayurveda sees the solution to illness as restoring natural balance within the body. In Ayurveda your whole life and lifestyle must be in harmony to achieve mental and physical health and optimum wellbeing. This is done by identifying one’s basic nature, and bringing their current condition back to the state of our basic nature, which is always perfect health.