Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical practices. It dates back to around 3500 BC and originated in the Indus Valley in India. Today, this holistic medical system is attracting growing interest and use throughout the world. Ayurveda’s burgeoning popularity in the West can largely be attributed to the work of Deepak Chopra MD.

In the 1980s Chopra was working as Chief of Staff at Boston Regional Medical Center in the US. His stressful job made him seek out relaxation techniques and in 1985 he learnt Transcendental Meditation with Indian Ayurveda guru Maharishi Mahesh. The course made Chopra realise there was more to health than just treating disease, so he changed his focus to practise and lecture about the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda.

Since then Chopra has written several best-selling books based on Ayurvedic principles, including Perfect Health, Unconditional Life, Perfect Weight and Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. He has set up various Ayurveda training programs and centres and treated celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Demi Moore and the late George Harrison.

While Ayurveda is used to treat disease, its main focus is to prevent illness and optimise health. It uses a range of practices to keep you physically, emotionally and mentally well, including diet, yoga, massage, detoxification, herbal medicine and meditation.

GETTING PHYSICAL WITH THE DOSHAS

According to Ayurveda, each person is composed of a unique combination of five elements (air, fire, water, earth and space) and three vital energies, or doshas (vata, kapha and pitta). Each individual is composed of the three doshas in different proportions and they influence everything physically about you, from what you like to eat to how you handle stress. Any imbalance in the doshas will result in physical illness and disease.

The doshas play a crucial role in Ayurveda as they are said to form the basis of your physical constitution. An individual can be predominantly one type of dosha (either vata, pitta or kapha) or a combination (for example, vata-pitta).

Vata controls motion in the body and mind. It is related to the body’s energy and nervous system. Its main elements are air and space. An imbalance in vata can lead to conditions such as tiredness, insomnia and constipation. People who are predominantly vata tend to be thin, have dry skin, are very active, speak quickly and are easily bored.

Pitta is related to the biochemical processes in the body, particularly digestion. The main elements associated with pitta are fire and water. An imbalance in pitta can lead to digestive problems. People who are predominantly pitta tend to be of a medium build and have fair skin and fair hair. They usually have a good memory and can be very competitive.

Kapha provides structure and controls the skeletal system and strength. The main elements associated with kapha are water and earth. An imbalance of kapha will cause excessive mucus, asthma, exhaustion and breathing difficulties. People who are predominantly kapha tend to have a solid build, thick hair and round face and are usually very caring and compassionate.

SATWAS OF THE MIND

While the doshas are integral to the nature of your physical constitution, the satwas (also known as gunas) form the basis of your psychological constitution. There are three satwas – sattvic, rajasic and tamasic – and every individual has aspects of each. According to Ayurveda, if you learn how to keep your three satwas in harmony you’ll maintain a healthy state of mind.

Sattvic satwa is characterised by a steady and pure mind, a great degree of self-control and mature thinking. A sattvic mind is considered to be the highest state of mind so it can never be too dominant.

Rajasic satwa is characterised by desire and ambition. If this satwa is too dominant emotional outbursts and eventually psychiatric illness can result.

Heaviness and resistance are the main features of tamasic satwa. If this satwa is too dominant the individual can become depressed and irritable.

CAN AYURVEDA HELP YOU?

How can ancient Eastern medicine be of benefit to you? When Ayurveda was developed 5500 years ago life was certainly different. However, what hasn’t changed is the fact that if the unique needs of the individual’s mind and body are met, they are usually well; if they’re not met, the individual usually develops a range of symptoms that can lead to illness.

When you see an Ayurvedic practitioner they will assess your constitution, diagnose any imbalances in the doshas and satwas and decide the best possible treatment for you. The Ayurvedic texts give detailed descriptions of the signs and symptoms of imbalances so the practitioner can pinpoint what you need to restore balance and hopefully lead a long and healthy life.

Numerous scientific studies have shown the many benefits of Ayurveda and it has been effective in treating millions of people for thousands of years.

DAY-TO-DAY AYURVEDA

For you to achieve good health and prevent disease with Ayurveda, it’s best to incorporate its practices into your everyday life. As well as following the specific guidelines for your unique constitution as set down by an Ayurvedic practitioner, there are some general guidelines you can follow:

• Each morning wake before sunrise, meditate, empty your bowels and bladder, wash your face, brush your teeth and scrape your tongue, then massage your skin with sesame oil.
• Do regular exercise.
• Take regular baths.
• Wear clean, soft clothes.
• Get six to eight hours sleep every night.
• Eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
• Don’t suppress natural urges such as hunger, thirst, urination or sleep.
• Eat sitting down in a settled environment. Eat breakfast before 8am, make lunch the biggest meal of the day and eat a light dinner before 8pm.