AyurvedaAyurveda

The Science of LifeTraditional Indian Medicine from the Caraka Samhita

The Science of LifeTraditional Indian Medicine from the Caraka Samhita

Ayurveda Ayurveda

Ayur – “life” Veda – “wisdom” / “science”

Mind - Body – Spirit

Health Equals BALANCE

Ayur – “life” Veda – “wisdom” / “science”

Mind - Body – Spirit

Health Equals BALANCE

Yoga & AyurvedaYoga & Ayurveda

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Prakriti - our basic nature or constitution

Vikriti- differentiation or degeneration from our constitution

Prakriti - our basic nature or constitution

Vikriti- differentiation or degeneration from our constitution

5 Elements5 Elements

Ether - nuclear energy Air - electrical energy Fire - radiant energy Water - chemical energy Earth- mechanical energy

Ether - nuclear energy Air - electrical energy Fire - radiant energy Water - chemical energy Earth- mechanical energy

3 Gunas3 Gunas

SATTVA: equips the individual with the ability for clarity, contentment & quiet (NATURAL STATE)

TAMAS: responsible for periods of confusion and deep sleep as well as inertia, cloudiness & sloth

RAJAS: causes movement, agitation & emotions. Driven by desire or discontent

SATTVA: equips the individual with the ability for clarity, contentment & quiet (NATURAL STATE)

TAMAS: responsible for periods of confusion and deep sleep as well as inertia, cloudiness & sloth

RAJAS: causes movement, agitation & emotions. Driven by desire or discontent

( qualities ) ( qualities )

Cold Hot Wet Dry Gross Subtle Dense Light Static Mobile Dull Sharp Soft Hard Smooth Rough Cloudy Clear

Cold Hot Wet Dry Gross Subtle Dense Light Static Mobile Dull Sharp Soft Hard Smooth Rough Cloudy Clear

3 Doshas3 Doshas

Definition of dosha Vata

Ether Air

Pitta Fire Water

Kapha Water Earth

Definition of dosha Vata

Ether Air

Pitta Fire Water

Kapha Water Earth

Seven Body TypesSeven Body Types

1. Vata2. Pitta 3. Kapha4. Vatta-pitta5. Kapha-pitta6. Vata-kapha7. tridoshic

1. Vata2. Pitta 3. Kapha4. Vatta-pitta5. Kapha-pitta6. Vata-kapha7. tridoshic

Relationship of the DoshasRelationship of the Doshas

Doshas in lifeDoshas in life

Time of day Seasons Lifecycle

Time of day Seasons Lifecycle

Times of DayTimes of Day

SeasonsSeasons

Dosha Accumulates Aggravates Alleviates

Kapha late winter spring summer

Pitta late spring summer fall

Vata late summer fall/winter spring

Dosha Accumulates Aggravates Alleviates

Kapha late winter spring summer

Pitta late spring summer fall

Vata late summer fall/winter spring

Stages of lifeStages of life

Kapha - birth to onset of puberty

Pitta - puberty to age 50

Vata - 50 to death

Kapha - birth to onset of puberty

Pitta - puberty to age 50

Vata - 50 to death

AGNIAGNI

“FIRE IN THE BELLY”

Digests food but also sense impressions, experience and emotions

Basis of health

“FIRE IN THE BELLY”

Digests food but also sense impressions, experience and emotions

Basis of health

AMAAMA The residue of improperly digested

food Becomes a toxin - “am” in Sanskrit

means to harm or to weaken. Accumulation of ama is the root

cause of disease Diagnosis: based on

observation of pulse, tongue, feet, hands, eyesand nails.-no lab!

The residue of improperly digested food

Becomes a toxin - “am” in Sanskrit means to harm or to weaken.

Accumulation of ama is the root cause of disease

Diagnosis: based on observation of pulse, tongue, feet, hands, eyesand nails.-no lab!

Diagnosis: Correspondences

Diagnosis: Correspondences

7 Factors which Disrupt Harmony

7 Factors which Disrupt Harmony

Genetic Congenital (to constitution) Internal (prana intake) External trauma Seasonal (time of day as well) Natural tendencies of habits (vasana) Magnetic influences (planets-

astrology)

Genetic Congenital (to constitution) Internal (prana intake) External trauma Seasonal (time of day as well) Natural tendencies of habits (vasana) Magnetic influences (planets-

astrology)

TreatmentsTreatments

Pancha Karma: fasting, herbal medicines & steam saunas, massages- cleanse body of toxins

Dietary Changes based on properties of foods we eat

Kitchen Pharmacy: Herbs & Spices Lifestyle Changes: routine, profession, hygiene

Yoga & other exercise

Abhyanaga: Self Massage Daily

Pancha Karma: fasting, herbal medicines & steam saunas, massages- cleanse body of toxins

Dietary Changes based on properties of foods we eat

Kitchen Pharmacy: Herbs & Spices Lifestyle Changes: routine, profession, hygiene

Yoga & other exercise

Abhyanaga: Self Massage Daily

Putting it together, how to stay healthy

Putting it together, how to stay healthy

Lifestyle MORNING

Wake early, preferably with the sun Drink some warm water upon arising Clean the teeth and the tongue Use a Neti Pot to rinse the sinuses and apply oil Meditate for at least 10 minutes Yoga practice for at least 30 minutes Pranayama (breath) Abhayanga (self massage with oil) Bathe with warm water, natural soap

Lifestyle MORNING

Wake early, preferably with the sun Drink some warm water upon arising Clean the teeth and the tongue Use a Neti Pot to rinse the sinuses and apply oil Meditate for at least 10 minutes Yoga practice for at least 30 minutes Pranayama (breath) Abhayanga (self massage with oil) Bathe with warm water, natural soap

More…..More…..

EVENING Yoga or a walk for 20 -30 minutes

before dinner Do not eat for 3 hrs before bed Avoid tv, computer etc in bed Take warm milk with nutmeg to help

you sleep

EVENING Yoga or a walk for 20 -30 minutes

before dinner Do not eat for 3 hrs before bed Avoid tv, computer etc in bed Take warm milk with nutmeg to help

you sleep

General Eating GuidelinesGeneral Eating Guidelines

Eat in a quiet environment Eat sitting down Eat only when hungry Do not eat when emotionally upset or

angry Take a moment to acknowledge the

source of the food and express gratitude TASTE is an important quality of food

because it can be used to judge its effect on the body.

Eat in a quiet environment Eat sitting down Eat only when hungry Do not eat when emotionally upset or

angry Take a moment to acknowledge the

source of the food and express gratitude TASTE is an important quality of food

because it can be used to judge its effect on the body.

TASTE & THE QUALITIES OF FOOD

TASTE & THE QUALITIES OF FOOD

Taste (rasa) ElementsQualities Post-Digestive*Sweet earth, water oily, heavy, cold <VP>KSour earth, fire oily, heavy, hot <V>PKSalty water, fire oily, light, hot <V>PKPungent fire, air dry, light, hot >VK>PBitter air, space dry, light, cold >V<PKAstringent air, earth dry, heavy, cold >V<PK*post-digestive tastes as a result of contact with the agni (VIPAK)6 Tastes become 3 through this process: rasa, Virya (hot/cold in stomach), Vipak, Prabhav

(action)

• Sweet & Salty (Kapha)• Sour (pitta)• Pungent/bitter/astringent (vata)

Taste (rasa) ElementsQualities Post-Digestive*Sweet earth, water oily, heavy, cold <VP>KSour earth, fire oily, heavy, hot <V>PKSalty water, fire oily, light, hot <V>PKPungent fire, air dry, light, hot >VK>PBitter air, space dry, light, cold >V<PKAstringent air, earth dry, heavy, cold >V<PK*post-digestive tastes as a result of contact with the agni (VIPAK)6 Tastes become 3 through this process: rasa, Virya (hot/cold in stomach), Vipak, Prabhav

(action)

• Sweet & Salty (Kapha)• Sour (pitta)• Pungent/bitter/astringent (vata)

Eating…continuedEating…continued

Eat the freshest, purest food you can get.

Chew slowly and mindfully Eat till 3/4 full Drink warm beverages Drink Cumin-Coriander-Fennel tea

with meals and between meals to aid digestion

Eat the freshest, purest food you can get.

Chew slowly and mindfully Eat till 3/4 full Drink warm beverages Drink Cumin-Coriander-Fennel tea

with meals and between meals to aid digestion

LIVING WITH YOUR DOSHALIVING WITH YOUR DOSHA

VATA keyword : grounding Gentle, repetitive,non-competitive

exercise Routine and discipline and pacing Maintain a warm and calm environment

at work and at home Limit travel and excitement, get

adequate rest Eat warm, cooked foods, avoid a lot of

raw foods

VATA keyword : grounding Gentle, repetitive,non-competitive

exercise Routine and discipline and pacing Maintain a warm and calm environment

at work and at home Limit travel and excitement, get

adequate rest Eat warm, cooked foods, avoid a lot of

raw foods

Vata, continuedVata, continued

Use sesame oil for massage, avoid dryness!!

Ginger tea Restorative yoga postures

Use sesame oil for massage, avoid dryness!!

Ginger tea Restorative yoga postures

LIVING WITH YOUR DOSHALIVING WITH YOUR DOSHA

PITTA keyword : surrender Moderately vigorous exercise, non-competitive, in the

cooler part of the day. Swimming is great for Pitta Work in a cool, soothing environment, avoid excess

heat Work should be challenging but non-competitive,

allowing for autonomy Eat at regular scheduled mealtimes Avoid excessive oily foods and salt Take regular vacations that are relaxing Massage with coconut oil Avoid “hot yoga”

PITTA keyword : surrender Moderately vigorous exercise, non-competitive, in the

cooler part of the day. Swimming is great for Pitta Work in a cool, soothing environment, avoid excess

heat Work should be challenging but non-competitive,

allowing for autonomy Eat at regular scheduled mealtimes Avoid excessive oily foods and salt Take regular vacations that are relaxing Massage with coconut oil Avoid “hot yoga”

LIVING WITH YOUR DOSHALIVING WITH YOUR DOSHA

KAPHA keyword : stimulate Vigorous,competitive,aerobic exercise Challenging job with long hours Limited sleep no more than 7-8 hrs, no naps Travel is beneficial More spontaneous and adventurous behavior Avoid cold food and drinks, fried food and

dairy Deep massage with sesame or mustard oil

KAPHA keyword : stimulate Vigorous,competitive,aerobic exercise Challenging job with long hours Limited sleep no more than 7-8 hrs, no naps Travel is beneficial More spontaneous and adventurous behavior Avoid cold food and drinks, fried food and

dairy Deep massage with sesame or mustard oil

Getting startedGetting started

Pay attention to the qualities (gunas) in your environment, time of day, season.

Check in with yourself - what qualities are manifested in you right now?

Take the time to do what is needed to bring yourself back to balance

Small changes practiced regularly can make a big difference

Pay attention to the qualities (gunas) in your environment, time of day, season.

Check in with yourself - what qualities are manifested in you right now?

Take the time to do what is needed to bring yourself back to balance

Small changes practiced regularly can make a big difference