Ashish Bhattacharya

Traditional Indian systems of Ayurveda & Yoga

Ayurveda places equal emphasis on the mind and body, it aims to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit. This balance is believed to lead to contentment and health, and to help prevent illness. The chief aim of Ayurvedic practices is to cleanse the body of substances that can cause disease, helping reestablish harmony and balane.

India has a  long history of medical remedies practiced by holy men and local medicine men  since ancient times. Some of these remedies date back to the Vedas or 600  BC.  Among these medical wonders the two  most prominent are Ayurveda and Yoga.

 AyurvedaLiterally meaning the science of life, Ayurveda has evolved  from understanding the laws of nature, the psyche, the conscious and the  unconscious levels.

Ayurveda places equal emphasis on the mind and body, it aims  to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit. This balance is believed  to lead to contentment and health, and to help prevent illness. The chief aim  of Ayurvedic practices is to cleanse the body of substances that can cause  disease, helping reestablish harmony and balance.

Constitution or Prakriti Ayurveda  has some basic beliefs about the body's constitution. Constitution refers to a  person's general health. The constitution is called the prakriti which is  a unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics and the way  the body functions. It is influenced by such factors as digestion and how the  body deals with waste products. Three  qualities called doshas form important characteristics of the  constitution or prakriti and control  the activities of the body.

The doshas are called: vata, pitta,  and kapha.   Each dosha is made up of one or two of the five basic elements: space, air, fire, water,  and earth. Ayurveda  believes that an imbalance in the dosha produces symptoms and disease.  Imbalances may be a result of an unhealthy lifestyle or diet; too much or too  little mental and physical exertion; or not being properly protected from the  weather, chemicals, or germs.

Ayurvedic  treatments

Ayurvedic treatments are of many types Panchakarma is for cleansing; it focuses  on the digestive tract and the respiratory system. Cleansing may be done  through enemas, fasting, or special diets or medicated oils through a nasal  spray or inhaler.  Meditation is a  conscious mental process using certain techniques like focusing attention or  maintaining a specific posture to relax the body and mind, and lying in the  sun. The patient may be advised to seek nurturing and peacefulness through  yoga, meditation, exercise, or other techniques.Herbal Medicines patients may have to take herbs to improve  digestion, reduce fever, and treat diarrhea. Very small amounts of metal and  mineral preparations also may be given, such as gold or iron. Special  Diets are an important part of treatment and patients may be asked  to abstain or increase particular foods.Massages may be used to reduce pain,  lessen fatigue, or improve circulation. Ayurveda proposes that there are 107  "vital points" in the body where life energy is stored, and that  these points may be massaged to improve health.

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