Ayurveda always treats a person individually and holistically – considering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual in any given situation.
Ayurvedic medicine represents only a fraction of the knowledge, skills, and wisdom of the ancient Indian tradition that has survived to the present day. Traditional Indian medicine treats the human being as a whole, not separated from its environment. It is based on the knowledge that the human being is created in the image of the universe, from the same elements and forces. Therefore, ayurvedic principle is to look at the person holistically — considering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
Ayurveda is known as “the science of life”. It focuses on prevention, rehabilitation, and healing. It highlights the balance between nature and the individual, with a particular emphasis on following a harmonious diet and rhythm to promote well-being. One of its best-known features is the observance of the 5 elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth), along with the 6 tastes (sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter, and astringent), and the recognition of the different constitutional types of individuals and the three so-called doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha).
Health is a state of holistic balance of the human organism. It derives from the individual, from the basic characteristics that one is born with. It is influenced by various determinants and the ratios of the doshas can vary. Excesses and deficiencies can be balanced by diet and lifestyle. All too often, however, it is the case that a person’s diet and lifestyle weaken, rather than strengthen them.
The body has strong self-regulating mechanisms and can quickly return to its basic stability after a change, a shock, or an acute situation. If the changed situation lasts too long, the automatic returning to one’s centre digresses, which undermines the stability of the individual.
Another important feature is that, from the Ayurvedic perspective, no disease exists only in the mind or only in the body. And if we add to this the interactions we have with each other, the phrase advocated by Ayurveda no longer sounds strange: “Don’t focus on the child, heal the parents.”
In Ayurvedic therapies, I use and consider the following:
RHYTHM
Arranging the daily routine according to the seasons and the life cycle.
FOOD AS MEDICINE
A proper diet is in harmony with nature. Each food has its own individuality and the more natural, unprocessed, wild it is, the more its individuality is clearly expressed and can support us. If we use food intentionally, as medicine, we must also consider its taste, energy, digestive effect, and specific energetic and subtle effects. According to Ayurveda, food and drink affect us as much as emotions, thoughts, colours, and sounds.
MANTRA THERAPY
Mantra therapy utilizes the vibrational qualities of specific sounds, pronounced as syllables, to influence the body’s energy centres, tissues, mind, and overall well-being. When using a mantra, the prana that travels with the breath is further enriched by the syllables that are spoken or sung. In order for the mantras to achieve their purpose, they should be uttered in a state of calm and focused mind, 108 times in one round.
COLOUR THERAPY
Colour therapy is based on the idea that colours, organs, vital functions, and energy are all interconnected.
AROMATHERAPY
It is based on the energy of scents which subtly influence our whole psychosomatic system through prana vata.
THE USE OF METALS AND CRYSTAL THERAPY
Inorganic metal ions can be part of the ayurvedic treatment, especially through the use of kitchenware made of different metals.
YOGA
In the West, the term is often associated with physical exercises (asanas), but its meaning goes beyond that. Yoga in its broader sense refers to a variety of practises that lead to the union of one’s essence (Atma) with the Divine. Link: Babaji Surya Namaskar, Om Chanting, Bhagavad Gita
MEDITATION AND PRANAYAMA THERAPY
Meditation is used as a subtle approach to healing.