What is Ayurveda and why should I care? It is actually a great question and by the end of this post I know I will have peaked your interest. Ayurveda is loosely translated as “the knowledge of life” and it is a very comprehensive system of health care that focuses on bringing the body, mind, and spirit into balance. In India it is the traditional system of medicine. I was honored to study Ayurveda under the direction of an Indian doctor in Kerala about eight years ago and incorporate much of what I learned into my private holistic practice, as well as my personal daily routine.
Historically it is thought that Ayurveda was created around 5,000 years ago. At this time the belief system in India was that medicine and philosophy were closely intertwined. So, treatment decisions often are based on theory, plus a complete analyzation of the unique individual.
There are three different constitutions, or physiological factors, that a person can be in Ayurveda- Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. These three states are called doshas. Depending on the individual, a mixture of two or three of these can be present in a person. When a person is out of balance physically, mentally, or spiritually, the doctor will recommend lifestyle remedies that can include exercise, diet, spiritual practices, bodywork, herbs, oils, and spices, to bring them back into balance. These recommendations are based on their dosha(s).
Knowing that my constitution is Pitta Vata, I have made it routine to incorporate appropriate practices to keep me balanced daily. For example, I often eat stewed apples or oatmeal in the morning, very good for a Pitta digestive system. Dahl, a mung bean and rice dish, is something I eat nearly daily. I always use ginger, turmeric, and fennel as these spices are great for my doshas. I get out and move my body regularly with yoga and walking to keep me calm. Not to mention I make sure to get a proper amount of sleep and meditate to keep my mind peaceful.
If you have questions on your dosha or things you should be doing to stay in balance, leave a comment! Would love to hear your feedback and questions.
Blessings,
Kerry
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Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
Thank you! Please spread the word that there is great content here for FREE! Let’s change lives. Feel free to post any of my content to your networks… my ask is that you direct them back to http://www.kerrytepedino.com so they can continue to be motivated. Many blessings, Kerry
What an honor coming from you, Maria… Thanks for joining in the conversation. Please spread the word I’m here and helping more people get on track to health! Blessings, Kerry