08/06/2025
NAMASTE:. At the same time last year, I was blessed to have completed a 300-hour intensive Ayurveda and Panchakarma Therapy Class in Kerala, India. Ayurveda is an ancient tradition of healing that encompasses the science of mind, body, and spirit. It is the epicenter of Ayurveda Medicine. It is an honor to be surrounded by like-minded people whose purpose and passion are centered on healing. What a fantastic experience it was to have studied in India and interacted with teachers and therapists. Although it was my second time in India, spending 30 days there, I can say this was a milestone in my learning about wellness. From food and culture to religion, life, meditation, and mind-body philosophies, it was one of the most memorable experiences thus far.
Experiencing the profound healing effects of many Ayurvedic treatments, such as Taila Dhara, Genuvasty, Kadivasty, Elakizhi, Abhangya, Mukhabyanga, Udwartanam, Pizichil, Virechana, and others, was genuinely life-changing. These traditional Ayurvedic treatments not only offer a unique and profound healing experience but also inspire a new perspective on health and wellness.
We learned about the Ayurvedic uses of Herbology and oils, Panchakarma Therapy, doshas, and food and nutrition. Ayurveda is a natural healing system that dates back to approximately 3000 BC, derived from the Sanskrit words “Ayu,” meaning life, and “Veda,” meaning knowledge. Ayurveda is the knowledge or science to acquire balance in the mind, body, and soul, and its five sensory organs. These sensory organs include sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF AYUVERDA:
1. Treating the root cause of the disease
2. Medicines are all natural and free from toxins
3. Treatment can be done proactively both for the disease and health
4. Medicines are inexpensive
5. Psychosomatic nature of disease
6. Emphasis on prevention of disease
7. Ayurveda is organic and all-natural
8. Diagnostic methods are scientific but also simple #
9. Panchakarma Therapy advocates for flushing out toxins and stagnant metabolites.
AYUVERDA - STRUCTURAL ENTITY & ELEMENTS OF THE BODY- PANCHA MAHABHUTAS
According to the fundamental
In the principles of Ayurveda, there are five structural elements of the body known as Pancha Mahabhutas. These elements, including Akashi (space element), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jala (water), and Prithvi (earth), describe how the body structure and function are characterized. Understanding these principles can provide a deeper insight into the body's functioning and the importance of balance in Ayurveda.
1. Akashi (space element) - the space in which the neutrons, protons, and electrons are.
2. Vayu (air)- The force of movements of electrons around the nucleus.
3. Agni (fire) - The energy when an atom is broken down.
4. Jala (water) - The force of cohesion between electrons, protons, and neutrons.
5. Prithvi (earth) - The solid portion of the electron, protons, and neutrons.
AYUVERDA HERBS AND OILS Learning one of the most essential herbs to enhance the mind and works well for the Central Nervous System.
Ayurvedic herbs and oils: Did you know that Ayurvedic medicine uses 1,587 plants to create herbal medicines and oils that can treat many diseases? Naturally speaking, these plants have many healing properties for both the body and mind.
Ayurveda focuses on the prevention of diseases. Proactively, Ayinvolvesverda’s method involves inspecting patients through Darsa (inspection), Sparshana (palpation), and Prasna (Questioning). There are five steps to diagnosing a disease:
1. Nidana-Cause of Disease
2. Pragoopa-Prodormal symptoms
3. Lakshana- Symptoms
Of disease
4. Upashaya & Anupasaya- Relieving and aggravating factors
5. Samprapti- Pathology of the whole route of the disease!
One of the most amazing Ayurvedic treatments I enjoyed the most is the Taila Dhara, an Ayurvedic therapy that involves pouring medicated oil on the forehead to promote deep relaxation, which benefits the central nervous system.
This therapy is beneficial for various ailments like anxiety, depression, stress, all kinds of skin diseases(Psoriasis, Eczema, Leukoderma, Dermatitis, Pigmentation, Urticaria, etc.), systemic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and various types of headaches.
Another treatment is PODI KIZHI, which is an Ayurvedic massage/treatment using medicinal herbs. The bolus bag is made of herbs such as Alpinia Galanga, Eranda, Jatamansi, Kusta, Ashwagandha, Shinto, Shatawa, and others.
The herb selection is based on the ailment being treated. The bolus is heated or dipped in hot oil, and then rubbed on the affected part of the body to begin the treatment process. The treatment is incorporated into Ayurvedic massage.
PRAYER LIFE IN INDIA -There are three major religions in India- Hinduism, Muslim, and / Christianity. Hinduism is one of the largest religions in India, of which the majority of Indian Hindus belong to the Shaivite and Vaishnavite denominations.
Prayer and meditation are integral to the lives of many people in India. Venerated with holy oils, flowers, offerings, and fellowship. In most cases, temples are located near water because it is believed that water is a source of cleansing, energy, and purification.
Indian Spices and Flavors: India’s culinary palette of spices is genuinely remarkable. With a wide selection of vegetables, herbs, and spices, the fusion of flavors is considered one of the most flavorful cuisines in the world.
From fresh vegetables, pickled chutney, and masala to exotic fruits of
dates and Indian mangoes, no wonder Ayurvedic health and wellness can be easily adapted as a way of life for everyone. From mind to body, the Indian people are kind and prayerful. Mindfulness is practiced daily and is part of their cultural and spiritual values.