Introduction to Ayurveda

Ayurveda: Ayus = life, Veda = science or knowledge ​

• 5,000 year-old consciousness based system of healing from India ​

• The purpose of Ayurveda is to help us return to our natural state of health, balance, and wholeness

• Ayurvedic practices include sensory modulation, meditation, yoga, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, physical activity, breathing practices, daily routines and many other tools and practices for shifting our consciousness towards health and happiness​

• Ayurveda is experiential and there is no “one size fits all” prescription for well-being: instead, every health-related measure is based on an individual’s mind-body type, or dosha, and the needs that derive from it​

• The six most important pillars of health to focus on in our daily lifestyle are sleep, meditation, movement/physical activity, healthy emotions, self care (including grounding), and optimal nutrition.  All of these components are included in the Chopra Health Program.

• Current scientific research validates Ayurvedic techniques​

• Ayurvedic techniques can change gene expression to promote healing, self-regulation, and homeostasis (balance)​

• There are three primary layers of life: physical, mental, and spiritual​

• These layers of existence are not separate, they are consciousness in different disguises​

• Balance and healing can occur when we are able to freely access these different layers

  Dosha ​

  In Ayurveda, each of us has a unique ​

  mind-body type, knows as a dosha. ​

  The 3 doshas are derived from the ​

  five elements. ​

  The 5 elements organize themselves into ​

  three essential principals of life:​

  movement, metabolism, and structure.​

  Known in Sanskrit as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.​

  These principles, that we can think of as​

  air, fire and earth, are the forces that govern ​

  every natural function and regulate every​

  process within our mind and body.