Introduction to Ayurveda
Lord Dhanvantari
“Physician of the Gods”
Ayurveda“The Knowledge of Life”
Ayus-Life Veda-Knowledge
Ayurveda is the holistic medical system of India and the mother of all medical sciences including allopathic & surgery. Ayurveda differs
from traditional medicine by looking to the root cause of diseaseand treating the whole person “Body, Mind & Spirit ” using the
5 sense therapies, the eight limbs of yoga & lifestyle changes
Hearing-Ether Touch-Air Sight-Fire Taste-Water Smell- Earth
Ayurveda & Yoga
Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences documented in the Vedas 5000 years ago, both treat the Body, Mind and Spirit. Yoga
treats the Spiritual and Ayurveda the physical.
“Ayurveda treats the disease of the body by its connection to the mind & Yoga address
the stability of the mind and its identity with the soul” Gita Iyengar
Yogah Chitta Vrtti Nirodhah I.IIYoga is the cessation of movements in consciousness
Patanjali
Mythology
5000 years ago on the slopes of the Himalayas the great rishis contemplated the occurrence of diseases in their community. They decided this question was
for the gods and pondered on which god to approach. Brahma (the great creator) was the
originator of Ayuvreda but the rishis decided to approach Indra (the beloved god of rain). The Rishis
Bhardvaja was sent and received the teachings of Ayuvreda which he shared with six
students, one was Agnivesa who wrote the Agnivesa Tantra, the first documentation on Ayurveda.
Ayurveda In Indian History
5000 BC: The Indus Valley Civilization, first discovery of a soap stone statue depicting a spiritual belief system.
3000 BC: Ayurveda and Yoga are first mentioned in the Vedas, the oldest documents of Sanskrit literature and scriptures of Hinduism.
1000 BC: The Time of the Upanishads which interpreted the philosophical aspects of the Vedas.
Ayurveda In Indian History
200 - 700 BC: Birth of Buddhism and the medicine Buddha, considered the great healer of the time.Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras, documented Sanskrit grammar and contributed to Ayurveda with the sutras. The first medical book on Ayurveda was published, the “Astanga Hridayam”.700-1000: Ayurveda declined with the Muslim invasion which translated Ayurveda to Unani medicines.1200-1300: The “Caraka Samhita” was published, the most complete text on Ayurveda including pulse diagnosis, herbology and surgery.1858-1947: British occupation, Ayurvedic schools were closed, western medicine prevailed, Britain left India in 1947.Present: Ayurvedic schools in India currently teach both Ayurveda and western medicine.
Indian Belief Systems
Four Main ReligionsHinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism
Six PhilosophiesSankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Vaisheshika, Nyaya and Mimasa
Seven Yoga SystemsBhakti – Yoga of DevotionKarma – Yoga of ActionJnana – Yoga of IntelligenceRaja – Yoga of the Mind “Patanjali-Royal Yoga”Hatha – Yoga of WillKundalini – Meditative Spiritual ScienceTantra – Yoga of Shakti & Shiva
Sankhya Philosophy“”That which explains the whole”
Purusha-Pure Consciousness
Prakruti- Matter, Sun & Moon
Mahat- Universal Intelligence
Buddhi- The IntellectAhamkara- Ego
Mental Gunas:Sattva- PurityRajas- Energy
Tamas- Darkness
Five Senses:Hearing- Either
Touch- AirSight- Fire
Taste- WaterSmell- Earth
Health & Disease
What is Health?Defined as Svastha: established in the Self. Perfect health is balance of the higher self (Spirit-God) and the lower self (Physical-Ego).
What is Disease?
Disease is defined as forgetting “Our True Nature Is Spirit”
The Three Causes of Disease:1. Misuse of the senses, unhealthy connection with objects of desire.
2. Failure of the intellect to listen to our “True Nature as Spirit”.3. Time & Motion bring transformation and decay.
How is Ayurveda Understood
Ether Space & Connectiveness (No Movement)
Air Movement
Fire Transformation & Metabolism
Water Fluidity
Earth Stability (No Movement)
The Five Elements
The Physical GunasThe 10 Opposite Qualities Found In Our Environment
Hot / Cold Dense / Flowing
Wet / Dry Soft / Hard
Heavy / Light Dull / Sharp
Mobile / Stable Smooth / Rough
Gross / Subtle Cloudy / Clear
Elements & Guna Breakdown
Ether Cold, Dry, Light & Stable
Air Cool, Dry, Light & Mobile
FireHot, Wet (Slightly), Light &
Mobile
Water Cold, Wet, Heavy & Mobile
Earth Cold, Dry, Heavy & Stable
The Doshas Defined as: Faults, Energies, Disease or Movements
Vata Pitta KaphaQualities Movement Transformation
MetabolismStructure
Lubrication
Elements Air & Either Fire & Water Earth & Water
Gunas Cold, Dry, Light & Mobile
Hot, Wet (Slightly), Light,
& Mobile
Cold, Wet, Heavy, Stable
ConstitutionPrakruti - Vikruti
Prakruti is the inherent balance of the 3 Doshas, which are determined at conception and understood by long term physical, mental, emotional & spiritual characteristics.
The Doshas are constantly changing & adjusting dependingon seasons, weather, what we ingest, and our emotional, mental and spiritual conditions.
Our current state of health is known as Vikruti and is determined by evaluating short-term symptoms, tendencies & characteristics.
VATA “THAT WHICH MOVES THINGS”
ELEMENTS; Air & EitherQUALITIES; Cold, Dry, Light, Mobile
CharacteristicsWhen Out of
Balance
Thin, Delicate, Small Features, Long Bones, Curly & Fine Hair, Dry Skin, Variable Appetite
Gas, Constipation, Dryness, Coldness,Insomnia, Nervous,
Indecisive, Inconsistent
When in BalanceDrives Out of
Balance
Vibrant, Enthusiastic, Creative, Inspiring,Spiritual, Artistic
Stimulants, Dry, Light, Mobile & Cold
Qualities, Fatigue, Irregularity
PITTA “THAT WHICH DIGESTS OR TRANSFORMS”
ELEMENTS; Fire & WaterQUALITIES; Hot, Light, Wet (Oily), Mobile
Characteristics When Out of Balance
Medium Build, Rosy Skin, Feels Warm,
Intense, Goal Orientated, Strong Appetite and Digestion
Heartburn, Acid Reflux, Rashes, Diarrhea,
Anger, Critical, Controlling,
Opinionated, Blaming, Vindictive, Jealous
When in Balance Drives Out of Balance
Focused, Passionate, Friendly,
Clear Vision, Organized, Completes Projects
Hot, Spicy, Fried Foods, Alcohol, Stimulants,
Insomnia, Perfectionism, Overscheduling
KAPHA “THAT WHICH LUBRICATES AND PROTECTS”
ELEMENTS; Water & EarthQUALITIES; Wet, Heavy, Cold, Stable
CharacteristicsWhen Out of
Balance
Stocky, Muscular, Short Neck, Large Bones, Big Round
Features, Thick, Pale, Gentle & Slow Pace
Mucousy, Excessive Weight, Diabetes, High Cholesterol,
Inflexible, Stubborn, Depression
When in BalanceDrives Out of
Balance
Calm, Patient, Kind, Unconditionally Loving,
Compassionate, Devoted Dependable &
Reliable
Heavy, Cold, Sweet, Oily & Bland Foods,
Over Eating & Sleeping, Inactivity &
Laziness
How Do We Get Out of Balance
Forgetting our true nature as Spirit
What we ingest: Food, Beverages & Medicines
What we come into contact with: Seasons & Weather
Emotion, Mental & Spiritual disharmony
Three Seasons of Ayurveda
Season Months Gunas In Balance Out of Balance
Winter NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruary
ColdWet
Pitta Kapha
Spring MarchAprilMayJune
WarmDry
Kapha Vata
Summer
JulyAugust
September
October
HotDry
Vata Pitta
The Mental GunasExplain our Spiritual, Emotional & Mental Condition
Vata Pitta Kapha
SattvicClarity, Purity & Positiveness
Enthusiastic, Spiritual, Artistic, Creative
Clear, Perceptive, Focused,
Organized
Loving, Faithful, Stable,
Nurturing & Compassionate
RajasicDistraction, Turbulence& Movement
Fearful, Worried, Anxious, Nervous
& Indecisive
Angry, Resentful, Critical,
Dominating, Judgmental &
Critical
Materialistic, Overly Attached
& Stubborn
TamasicDarkness, Heaviness& Dullness
Self-Destructive, Addictive,
Paranoid & Unstable
Violent, Vindictive & Hateful
Lazy, Depressed, Manipulative & Thievish
How Do We Achieve BalanceAyurvedic Pyramid of Health
Evaluation, Pancha Karma & Bliss Therapies
Food-Spices & Herbology
Daily Routines, Self Abhyanga, Sleep & Sattvic Practices
Yoga & Meditation
Pranayama
ColorGems
MantrasAroma
The Six Tastes
Taste Gunas Foods Dosha/Best
Sweet Cool, Moist,Heavy
Rice, Grains, Meats, Dairy, Root Vegetables, Fruits &
Berries
VataPitta
Sour Hot, Moist, Heavy
Fermented Foods, Vinegar, Alcohol, Citrus, Tomato &
YogurtVata
Salty Warm, Moist, Heavy
Hard Cheese, Seafood, Olives, Seaweeds, Miso & Soy Sauce Vata
Bitter Cool, Dry, Light
Coffee, Unsweetened Chocolate, Leafy Greens &
DandelionPitta
Astringent Cool, Dry, Light/Heavy
Tea, Dry Cereal, Crackers, Pasta, Beans, Cabbage &
Cranberry
PittaKapha
Pungent Hot, Dry, Light
Spicy Foods, Chili Peppers, Ginger, Garlic, Wasabi &
MustardKapha
Five Sense Therapies
Sight “Fire”Color
Smell “Earth”Aromatherapy
Hearing “Either”Sound/Mantra/Meditation
Taste “Water”Food/Herbology/Spices
Touch “Air”Massage/Bliss Therapies/Gemology/Yoga/ Marma
Ayurvedic Cleansing“Pancha Karma”
Purification, Tonification and Rejuvenation Therapies
Stage I - Preparation“Purva Karma”
DietOleation Internal – Ghee & Oils External – AbhyangaFomentation – Heat
Stage II - Main Actions“Pradham Karma”
Vamana – Respiratory CleansingVirechana – PurgationBasti – Herbal EnemaNasya – Medicated NasalRakta Mokshana – Blood Cleansing
Stage III - Rejuvenation“Praschat Karma”
Re-introduction of regular diet & introduction of Sattvic practices
Five “Main” Religions
Hinduism: The predominant religion referred to as "The Eternal Law” which includes Yogic traditions and daily moralities based on the notion of Karma.
Jainism: Dharmic religion that follows a path of non-violence for all living thins, philosophy and practice relies on self-effort in progressing the soul towards God consciousness.
Buddhism: Based on the teachings of "The Buddha" the Awakened One” and is comprised of the 4 noble truths, karma and the cycle of rebirth.
Sikhism: Founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev in 15th century, and follows a path of devotion, truthful living, equality of mankind while denouncing superstitions and blind rituals.
Ayyavazhi: Dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century, based in Hinduism but believing in one god.
Seven Yogic Systems
Bhakti: Yoga of Devotion, practitioner shares his love & adornment and emphasises devotion above ritual.
Karma: Adherence to duty, detached from reward. Karma is the universal principle of cause and effect.
Jnana: Yoga of intelligence and is focused on wisdom or discernment. Jnana yoga is considered the path of wisdom.
Raja: Raja means royal and is considered the yoga of the mind as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Hatha: Yoga of will and is the preparatory stage of physical purification and has the same principles as the Raja Yoga.
Kundalini: Kundalini or Kriya is a pure spiritual science that leads to enlightenment and God-realization.
Tantra: Regarded as the divine play of Shakti and Shiva and aims at liberation from ignorance and rebirth.
Six Indian Philosophies
Sankhya: Means, "That Which Explains The Whole”, addresses Cosmology, the journey of consciousness to matter.
Vedanta: Singular belief system that practices a contemplative method of self-inquiry leading to the realization.
Vaisheshika: Emphasizes physical science as it relates to nine substances of earth: earth, water, fire, air, either, time, space, soul and the mind.
Nyaya: Emphasis logic and the processes of reasoning, doubt is considered a prerequisite for philosophical inquiry.
Mimasa: Philosophy related to action, ritual, worship and ethical conduct, which develops Karma.
Yoga: Described in the Yoga Sutras, involves witnessing inner states & consciousness, often-called Sankhya-Yoga.
Ingredient Rasa Virya
Vipaka Dosha Actions
Licorice Sweet / Bitter Cool Sweet VP-K+ Demulcent, expectorant, tonic, laxative
Black Pepper Pungent Hot Pungent KV-P+ Stimulant, expectorant, carminative
Cardamom Pungent / Sweet Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, carminative, expectorant
Cinnamon Pungent / Sweet /
Astringent
Hot Pungent KV-P+ Stimulant, diaphoretic, alterative
Clove Pungent Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, carminative,Aphrodisiac, expectorant
Star Anise Pungent Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, carminative
Ginger Pungent / Sweet Hot Pungent VK-P+ Stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant, carminative
Nutmeg Pungent Hot Pungent VK-P+ Sedative, nervine, astringent, carminative
Almond-CowMilk
Sweet Cool Sweet VP-K+
Agave / Maple
Sweet Cool Sweet VP-K+
Honey Sweet / Pungent / Astringent
Hot Sweet VK-P+
Jeff’s Chai Tea Energetics
AyurvedaThe Knowledge of LifeAyus-Life Veda-Knowledge
Ayurveda is the holistic medical system of India originating 5000 years ago and is the mother of all medical sciences
including allopathic & surgery. Ayurveda differs from traditional medicine by looking to the root cause of disease and treating
the whole person “Body, Mind & Spirit” and not just the symptoms. Ayurveda achieves balance and health by using the
5 sense therapies.