Ayurveda
The Science of Life
Ayurveda is Sanskrit for "The Science of Life". In this medicinal system of India, living right for your nature creates harmony, and when you are not true to yourself in the things you choose to eat, how you schedule your day, etc., you create disharmony that results in physical and emotional disease.
The specific way these personal tendencies, from your body shape and how you hold weight, mental constitution and emotional temperament, to your overall health, or the even the way diseases manifest in your life, are all a reflection of something called your "Dosha" or biological temperament.
There are three: Vata (air), Pitta (fire), Kapha (earth/water). When you know your primary dosha, with the help of an Ayuredic Specialist, you know just how to tweak your life so your mind, body health falls more easily into place.
Ideally we would have a balance between each of these in our mental, physical, emotional well-being. Most of us tend to have a dominant energy of one Dosha that governs our mind/body/spirit health.
To create a more balanced life it is important to know what foods, activities, mental awareness supports your dosha.
What's Your Dosha?
Vata: Cold, Dry, Airy in Nature.
Air and Space combine to make the Vata dosha.
Vata manifests in the body and mind as movement, lightness and dryness. Vata governs the biological movement in the body, such as: our breathing, the movement of nourishment through the body, the heart beat movement of blood to and from the tissues, the movement of the joints as well as the movement of neurological signals from the brain through out the nervous system. Vata governs the mental processes which animate and inspire.
An example of Excessive Vata in a person would be "Blonde Jokes" about skinny (small boned), air-headed people.
Pitta: Hot, Dry, Transformative Nature.
Fire and Water combine to make up the Pitta dosha.
Pitta humor represents the constitution of Fire & Transformation. Pitta governs the biological process of transformation. Fire manifests in the body as acid and digestive enzymes that transform food into energy for physical sustenance, as well as hormones and the creation of bodily tissues. Pitta also governs the mental processes which absorb and process knowledge.
An example of excessive Pitta in a person is someone who is feisty, assertive or hot tempered (medium build).
Kapha: Cold, Wet, Grounded in Nature.
Water and Earth combine to make Kapha.
As does the Earth and Water element in nature, Kapha governs the biological process of density, liquidity and coldness. It is the energy of preserving. Kapha manifests in the body as strength, moisture; the connective tissues and lubrications of the joints and lungs in the form of phlegm. It serves to bind us together, preserving human form in the whole as well as shields immunity. Kapha governs the mental processes which retain and preserve knowledge.
Ayurveda FAQ
What is an Ayurvedic Consultation?
Ayurveda is an ancient Alternative Health Care System addressing the entire Body/Mind/Soul through balanced living, five sense therapies, purification techniques, meditation & yoga. This is a two hour evaluation where the following five examinations will occur:
- A complete health history, Examination of body structure, Pulse Examination, Tongue Examination, Abdominal Examination.
What is the intention of my Ayurvedic Consultation?
The the intention of this initial consultation is:
- To understand your unique constitution/dosha. To understand where your unique place of balance, or "Prakruti", is in relation to where you are now. To understand the nature of any imbalances (your "Vikruti" or current state of imbalance). To develop a plan to bring you back into balance.
How do I put the information into practice to improve my situation?
Your consultation is implemented through the following avenues:
- The 2 hour Initial Ayurvedic Consultation (IAC) includes a one hour Report of Findings (ROF) where we discuss our findings in relation to what dosha (or specific dosha combinations make up your emotional and biological temperament, where you are out of balance. Map out your specific dosha plan to help you begin your first therapies such as working on your food program, daily regime, etc.
You may also begin to take traditional Ayurvedic herbs and remedies at that time
How to I continue from there?
Follow up visits (FUV), reccomended every week to begin to assure proper support and supervision, also if you are interested, ongoing instruction on your personalized yoga asana plan.
What are the follow up visits for?
- Check in on progress, adjust herbs and make new recommendations and decide how often your need follow up, once you are on track.
What is the Cost?
The IAC cost is: $175.00
(this includes your first consultation and follow-up ROF visit.)
All FUV's are $65.00/hr if held at the Bodhi Yoga™ Thai Partner Yoga Therapy office. Located in Suite 1B, the building just north of The Bodhi Yoga™ Center entrance.
How do I schedule?
