An Introduction to Ayurveda

Ayurveda translates as the science/wisdom of life. It goes back more than 5000 years and is thought to have been intuited from the profound meditations of the Himalayan sages who prayed for the welfare of the world.

The knowledge of Ayurveda was transmitted by an oral tradition, but was codified into Sanskrit texts around 3000

BC. There are now translations of these texts in many languages.

Ayurveda understands the universe to be made of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space (ether). Each individual is born with a unique combination of these elements and Prana (the life force).

These elements, when they combine in pairs, make up the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Doshas translate as faults, as they tend to become imbalanced. Just as all five elements are present in everyone in different proportions, so are the doshas. This unique combination of doshas is determined at the time of conception and is known as the Prakriti. The balance of doshas can change throughout one's life depending on diet, lifestyle, and thinking patterns. This is called a state of vikriti or imbalance.

By maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, we can keep the doshas in balance and lead a healthy, happy, long life.