Ayurveda - The Beginners Guide

In the previous section, we explained how having a daily routine a practice is paramount to a healthy mind and body. Similarly it is really important to evolve your daily practice to compliment the surrounding and season one is in. For example in the summer season, the pitta dosha is higher than usual. So one may have a daily practice that helps manage and balance that. example eating cold foods. Your Ayurvedic practitioner will not only help you understand your doshas but help your create your daily practice based on the time of the year and stage of the life you are in (Child, Adult, pregnant or senior)
 

According to Ayurveda, the aggravation of "Vata" Dosha is primary reason for 50% of diseases or ailments we suffer from today. Abhyanga practice daily can help balance this dosha significantly.  It can be done as a daily practice, as a part of a special Panchkarma treatment or as  pre-treatement. It can be administered by a Abhyanga massage therapist (usually two at a time) or one can be trained to do it oneself at home everyday.

Daily Self massage (15 to 30 minutes) in the morning is emphasized in Ayurveda. This not only helps clear channels and invigorates our body, it also helps remove excess toxins from our body. Abhyanga helps open up the minor channels (srotas), removes ama (toxic waste) through the skin, melts kleshma (fat secretions blocking the srotas), and helps in deep cleansing and nourishing of skin. Depending on the aim of the massage (helping harmonize a dosha) or getting ready for a new phase in your life or the season you are in, the oil recommended by your practitioner may be different.

Any kind of Abhyanga (massage) is always followed up with a warm bath.

Also known as purification or detox, the aim of panchkarma is to detox and cleanse our system. There are five main treatments that are a part of Panchkarma. These are : Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti and Raktamoskshana.The series of these five therapies help remove deep rooted stress and illness-causing toxins from the body while balancing the doshas (energies that govern all biological functions).

• Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy which removes Kapha toxins collected in the body and the respiratory tract. This is given to people with high Kapha imbalance. Daily treatment involves loosening and mobilizing the toxins in an effort to finally eliminate them. 
  • Benefits of Vamana: Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Allergies, Hay Fever, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Hyperacidity, Chronic Indigestion Nasal Congestion, Edema, Obesity, Psychological disorders, Skin disorders.

• Virechana is medicated purgation therapy which removes Pitta toxins from the body that are accumulated in the liver and gallbladder. It completely cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract. It is a safe procedure without side effects.
  • Benefits of Virechana help root out Chronic Fever, Diabetes, Asthma, Skin disorders such as Herpes, Paraplegia, Hemiplegia Joint disorders, Digestive disorders, Constipation, Hyperacidity, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Headaches, Elephantiasis and Gynecological disorders.

• Basti (Enema) is considered as the mother of all Panchakarma treatments. It cleanses the accumulated toxins from all the 3 doshas : Vata, Pitta and Kapha, through the colon. Basti is also highly beneficial as a rejuvenating treatment. Medicated oil or ghee and an herbal decoction is given as enema to clean the colon and increase the muscle tone. This treatment is provided for several days, based on the medical condition of a person. 
  • Benefits: For Hemiplegia, Paraplegia, Colitis, Convalescence, Cervical Spondylosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Constipation, Digestive disorders, Backache & Sciatica, Hepatomegaly & Splenomegaly, Obesity, Piles, Sexual Debility & Infertility.

• Nasya involves administration of medicated oil through the nose to cleanse accumulated Kapha toxins from the head and neck region. Based on the medical condition of a person, it can be given up to 30 days.
  • Nasya benefits include Trigeminal Neuralgia, Bel's Palsy, improves memory & eye sight, insomnia, elimination of excess mucus, hyper pigmentation in the face, pre-mature graying of hair, clarity of voice, headaches of various origins, Hemiplegia, loss of smell and taste, frozen shoulder, migraine, stiffness of the neck, nasal allergies, nasal polyp, neurological dysfunctions, Paraplegiar and sinusitis.

• Raktamokshana is a procedure to cleanse the blood and is advised only in extremely rare conditions. It is NOT advised during general Panchakarma. Most Ayurveda Centers, do not offer Raktamokshana due to the high risk of infection involved in blood cleansing.

During the Panchkarma treatment, a practitioner may also recommend a special diet.

Use of Plant extracts and herbs to help balance our doshas and help cope with stress or seasonal issues is very common in Ayurveda. In addition, depending on the life style and a persons composition and genetic make up, one may be prone or susceptible to certain issues. Herbal and plant remedies are used to help treat or keep our bodies in balance.

In addition to consumption in the form of pills or teas, oils used in massage or Herbal Steam baths are also recommended and used within Ayurveda. These rituals bring a level of awareness and comfort in ones daily routine and work wonders for a busy lifestyle.

Meditation per Ayurveda is critical to keep a healthy and connected mind. A connected mind is aware and this awareness does wonders in maintaining a healthy state.

Meditation has a different meaning for many people. Ayurveda does not emphasize a specific way or type of meditation. It could be time spent in nature (through walks), or listening to good music, or gardening.....

Whatever helps your mind calm and restful, is the goal is Ayurvedic meditation. When you mind is calm and restful you can hear what your body is saying and what your surroundings are saying to you, which in turn gives you a chance to harmonize the internal being with the external person and surroundings.

Yoga is the most widely accepted and adopted aspect of Ayurveda. Some do it for exercise, some do it for prana (breath and oxygenation) and others consider it a form a meditation. Yoga is composed of many many different poses and in recent times has branched into many varied practices. The possible benefits of yoga are limitless -

• Inner Peace - Calm and restore the mind
• Manage digestive tract
• Manage Blood flow and circulation
• Better sleep
• Manage Weight
• Healthy muscles and bones