When it comes to natural medicine, Ayurveda is an ancient practice that has shown results over thousands of years. The primary goal of Ayurveda is to improve health through holistic approaches to healing. By taking an Ayurvedic training, it is possible to gain personalized benefits for your health. The first step of any training is to learn the basics.
Ayurveda comes From Sanskrit
Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old system of medicine from India that come from an oral tradition that was first written in Sanskrit. The word Ayurveda is composed of the Sanskrit word “Ayur”, which means life, and “Veda”, which means knowledge (science). Students who take continuing education courses will learn about this science of life and the Sanskrit roots that describe the foundation of modern Ayurvedic practices.
The Practice Is Comprised of Elements and Doshas (Constitutions)
When you start professional training, you will learn about the basics of this ancient body of knowledge. In Ayurveda, it is believed that the world can be understood through the five main elements (Panchamahabhutas): air, fire, water, earth, and space. These five elements are the essence of the three Doshas (Constitutions). The three Doshas are Vata (air and space), Piitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water). The Doshas refer to the body frame, such as thin, medium, and broad, as well as other physical features. Health can be improved when one understands how to balance elements that apply to an individual's body, life and season. For example, someone who has more Vata is composed of air and space. They can be balanced with the opposites. In the case of Pitta, the elements are fire and water. Cooling PItta can often bring improved health. Someone who has more Kapha has more earth and water and is balanced with lighter and warmer elements.
The Focus is Helping Quality of Life
The primary goal of Ayurveda is to improve a person's quality of life. Through the practice of Ayurveda, a person’s ability to live a long and healthy life should increase. It focuses on improving your quality of life overall.
Food Plays a Critical Role
When you study Ayurveda at Portland Community College, you will learn about the role of seasonal food in the practice. When it comes to quality of life and the study of life via Ayurvedic practices, what you eat plays an important part in your health. Ayurvedic treatments use food as key components of health and well-being. Depending on the elements and doshas that apply to an individual's life and body, the recommendations on what to eat and what to avoid will differ. Sometimes it’s not just what you eat, but WHEN you eat that may produce the most changes.
It Works on Positive Lifestyle Change
What is Ayurveda as it applies to your lifestyle? An easy way to think of it in terms of your life is a positive lifestyle change that focuses on a holistic approach to health. It may incorporate meditation and yoga, as well as adjustments to your diet. Ayurveda is a holistic strategy for health that focuses on the needs of each individual.
Ayurveda Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight
One of the benefits of an Ayurvedic practice is maintaining a healthy weight. When one eats the right foods in alignment with one’s Dosha and season, those who are underweight or overweight may notice positive changes. Maintaining energy and avoiding both lethargy and anxiety are key to a healthy life. Healthy eating habits, mealtimes as well as meditation, yoga, and exercise help one to focus on holistic health. This often assists with weight loss goals.
Helps to Reduces Stress
Ayurveda helps with physical ailments and weight loss, in addition to reducing stress levels. Since it takes a holistic approach to health, it also reduces stress levels in the body with proper diet, exercise, and meditation practices.
Ayurveda Compliments Western Medicine
An important part of Ayurvedic practices, is that it complements western medicine. It does not require you to stop taking prescribed medications or to avoid your doctor. Instead, it works with your health goals and compliments your treatments through improvements to your diet and adjustments to your lifestyle. It has a positive impact on your health, which complements western medicine.
Plans Are Tailored to Individual Needs
Ayurvedic practices are designed for custom treatment. Each treatment plan is tailored to the needs of the individual and their current level of health. It is adjusted and personalized after an individual discusses personal goals with a professional.
Ayurveda offers a variety of health benefits through natural healing. It focuses on the needs of individuals and creates a custom strategy using holistic practices to improve an individual's health. If you want to learn more about Ayurveda, consider a Portland Community College course at its Institute for Health Professionals. The courses allow you to gain in-depth professional training you can apply to your life. Sign up to its newsletter to be alerted for the next program!