What is Ayurveda

What is Ayurveda and Pranayama?

About

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life: Ayurveda is an ancient, universal system of medicine that offers profound insights into human life, originating from the Indian subcontinent but applicable worldwide. It explains our existence and behaviors, emphasizing our deep connection with nature.

Holistic Approach to Well-being: Ayurveda takes a holistic approach, addressing emotional, physical, and mental aspects to bring harmony to life. Its remedies include many natural treatments, focusing on prevention and self-care.

Pranayama means to go with the life force: Our breath goes unnoticed, yet we can not live without our vital life. The Yogi says that when breathing is regulated, the thought patterns diminish. Both the Vedic sages and Yogis understood that by following the laws of nature, the body, mind, and spirit can synchronise, leading to a life of perfect equilibrium.

Food as Medicine: In Ayurveda, food plays a crucial role. Our dietary choices directly impact our health and mind. Understanding the unique effects of different foods helps us make conscious decisions for better health.

Medicine Everywhere: Ayurveda teaches that medicine is found in all aspects of life, from the environment to our senses. What we consume through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch shapes our future well-being.

Ayurveda and Modern Medicine: Ayurveda can complement and support Modern medicine, as prevention is worth its weight in gold. The breathing practices and the spiritual aspects of Ayurveda can help those with chronic illness become happier when they feel a heightened sense of well-being.

 

Nature and Us

There are five elements that exist throughout our world, each expressing uniquely. The five elements are: space, wind, fire, water, earth.

Space

We have space throughout our entire body. The largest space is in the colon, essential for excreting digested food. The womb provides space for a fetus to grow. Space is also found in our joints, blood, eyes, nose, throat, and stomach. Mental space helps us see the bigger picture, stay alert, and understand our purpose in life. Unobstructed space allows us to welcome life and experience simple love.

Wind

The wind element drives every beat of our hearts and regulates the entire physiology of the body, supporting the nervous system. It is essential for actions such as walking, talking, and eating. Wind is the very breath we breathe. Mentally, wind helps us think, make decisions, and process memories. Emotionally, calm wind can inspire and excite us.

Fire

Our internal fire sits in the middle of our digestive tract, acting as our internal stove. It processes food into bodily tissue and keeps our blood warm, making our complexion glow. Fire in our eyes helps us interpret what we see. In the mind, fire sharpens our thinking, intellectual capacity, and understanding of life. Emotionally, fire drives ambition, courage, and joy.

Water

The liquid element is essential to keep us fluid and soft, moving blood around the body and supporting the immune system. Water carries nutrition and oxygen and removes food waste from the body. Mentally, water encourages soft, regulated thought processes. Emotionally, water affects our feelings and daily water intake varies for each individual.

Earth

Our entire physical structure embodies the earth element, including muscle, fat tissue, bones, ligaments, and the immune and reproductive systems. Earth keeps us grounded and supports our spiritual essence to live a worldly human life. It provides endurance, stability, and good memory. Emotionally, earthy qualities foster compassion.

Contact

For any inquiries please email

tinaforan@ayurvedicriver.com

I am a member of the Ayurvedic Professional Association (APA)