What is Ayurveda?

The word "Ayurveda“ comes from Sanskrit and combines "ayus“, the word for life or longevity, and "veda“, knowledge or science.

Ayurveda is a healing art that is thousands of years old; it is the health system of the advanced Vedic civilisation of ancient India and is considered the oldest health system in the world. The World Health Organization has recognised Ayurveda as a traditional medicine.

According to traditions described in old ayurvedic writings, the basic principles of Ayurveda were perceived long ago and through profound introspection by highly developed human beings. In the beginning, the tradition was therefore passed on only from teacher to student. Only much later, when this vehicle of tradition was no longer reliable, it was written down in the first scriptures and works of Ayurveda.

This wholistic health teaching – Ayurveda – considers life as one whole and combines physical, psychic, mental and spiritual aspects. Its primary goal is to establish harmony of body, mind and soul, and in so doing to prevent disease or, when necessary, to heal.

To achieve this, Ayurveda experts and doctors consider a broad spectrum of factors, such as for example consciousness; diet; stress at work or in relationships; too little rest; medications; too much, too little or the wrong kind of exercise; surroundings; the individual’s constitution, likes and dislikes; and much more. The teaching of the three doshas plays a central role.

Doshas

According to ayurvedic teachings, the myriad factors that influence us and our health can be described with the help of three principles or biological programmes called doshas in Sanskrit, and which are best translated as “basic functional principles”.

These three doshas – vata, pitta and kapha – determine both the natural world surrounding us as well as our own bodies and minds. Conversely, everything that impacts our bodies directly impacts the balance of vata, pitta, and kapha, either disrupting it or contributing to a better dosha balance.

When these three fundamental principles are in harmony in a person, it constitutes the best prerequisite for health and happiness. We feel well, we’re healthy, and we radiate natural beauty.

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