About Ayurvedic Lifestyle
Ayurveda, or the "Science of living", is a holistic way of life that has its roots in the five millennia old Indian school of thought and healingVedas. Its efficiency in resolving chronic health problems was proven by generations. The power of Ayurveda consists in providing each and everyone with a unique approach to balancing the daily practices and returning to health.
Ayurvedic lifestyle in practice.
The idea to start a consulting service based on Ayurvedic principles came to me in a search for solutions to my own needs. It stemmed from the test and trial attempts following the reading of some practical guides a little over 15 years ago. My previous medical and scientific background (after Moscow Medical University in 1987 - 1993 Russia and the University of Montreal in 1994 - 1997 Canada ) gave me the systematic view of healing process. Not still in time, on the contrary - it is an ongoing and dynamic "balancing act". It's our daily practices that can lead to health as well as to illness. Each of us can incorporate vital changes to the lifestyle, that can turn the "derailed" body to the best of ways in self-healing and restoration.
I completed the study program at the American Institute of Vedic Studies in 2010 - 2014 under the guidance of Pandit Vamadeva Shastri (David Frawley). Later the practices of Andreas Moritz, the renown holistic healer, caught my attention, and I'd mastered some of his innovative technics.
Everything learned has been immediately put into action. Firstly, the changes in the daily diet started to give amazing results: my skin and digestion were improved and continued to go better. The overall increased energy allowed me to return to sports, as before I felt too weak to exercise. Life had returned to me with its new brighter colours.
Later I had gained a unique experience dealing with seemingly hopeless cases.
Ayurvedic Daily Routine
Daily routine establishing is critical for balanced physical energy and mental strength. It allows body to orderly use internal resources and make the most of its every function. For different constitutional types the routine varies. Thus Vata individuals benefit from longer rest hours, lighter physical activities, relatively more nourishing diet, lesser travel, staying warm, using warming spices, and adhering to regular meal times.
Pittas generally should avoid overheating. They are not too sensitive to lesser sleep, but should be careful about excessive sun exposure. They might prefer less exhaustive training, that provokes overheating.
Kapha people have the stamina for the heaviest training regimes. They need lighter meals and lesser rest. Although, exposure to cold should be moderate and spiciness of the food should be high.
Once the appropriate daily routine is followed, the level of physical and mental energy starts to grow progressively. The body responds to correct stimuli and benefits from it.
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Constitutional Dietary Requirements
Ayurveda is known for its highly individualised approach to nutrition. There is no "one fits all" prescription, as each person has particular physical and mental needs. The usage of the food as the preventative and therapeutic means is very typical. Often a physical improvement starts with adopting the appropriate nutritional choices and mealtime rhythms. Selection of nutrients depends on the level of metabolism (or effectiveness of nutrients utilisation by the body), climate, time of the day, body condition, physical activity, and health status.
The positive effects of such a detailed approach range from simply lessening the fatigue and nervousness to the radical improvement in the energy level, increase in the sense of wellbeing, and inner calm.
Ayurvedic Herbs as an Integral Part of Practice
Medicinal herbs are the integral part of the holistic healing practices in Ayurveda. Some of them are so common and well known that they become the everyday companions in meals and food preparations - many spices, a number of vegetables and fruits.
Ayurvedic herbs are not intended to work on their own and are usually prescribed as a part of the holistic routine: corrected nutrition, therapeutic massages, aromatherapy, spiritual practices, exercises. They vary in their health effects and target areas in the body. The number of herbal formulas and preparations exceeds 800 just for the popular ones. Clinical studies have shown the efficiency of many in comparison with the allopathic Western medicines.
Herbs are used to improve the immunity, promote calm in the mind, to tonify the body, increase the efficiency of digestion, help the body to cleanse itself, support mental functions, adapt to the strenuous environmental influences.
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It might be difficult to pinpoint sometimes what is not working with the body, as there might be no signs of an obvious problem. Mind fogginess, sense of fatigue, food cravings, sleep problems, just feeling "out of hand" for no reason all indicate the overload with stimulants and devitalised foods, poor digestive efficiency, and therefore growing toxicity. One of the most direct ways to resolve it is cleansing.
Ayurveda provides a multitude of options depending on the health status, individual requirements, level of preparation and commitment. Cleansing regimes vary in the intensity, duration, and a degree of the practitioner involvement. The most basic ones are centred around a diet of vegetarian foods and range from one day of a simple diet and rest to the three weeks of the structured diet and mindful activities (yoga, meditations, gentle exercises, stress reduction, calm contemplation, oil massages, etc.). The most intense cleansing requires staying in the specialised Panchakarma centres or clinics. Some lesser versions exist and can be self administered.
Ayurvedic cleansing is usually bound to seasonal changes as an adaptation practice or some health issues to be addressed.
The completed cleansing is typically followed by the rejuvenation regime (rasayana) with more nurturing food choices and herbal supplements.