Introduction to Ayurveda

What is Ayurveda?
What is Panchakarma?

What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the natural healing system of India. In Sanskrit, the word “Ayurveda” means ‘science of life’. Ayu means life or daily living, and Veda means knowing.

Ayurveda was first recorded in the Vedas, the world’s oldest literature.

The Vedic system, including Ayurveda was in practice before 4000 B.C.

Vedic science includes Yoga, meditation and astrology as its branches for dealing with physical body.

Ayurveda helps the healthy person to maintain health, and a diseased person to regain health. It is both a medical and metaphysical healing science.

It includes herbal medicines, dietetics, bodywork, surgery, psychology and spirituality.

In Ayurveda the creative force ‘Dhanvantari’ the divine healer, symbolizes Brahma.

All Ayurveda literature is based on the Samkya philosophy of creation. ‘Sat’ means ‘truth’ and ‘Kya’ means ‘to seek’, to know.
The ancient Rishis, or realized beings, discovered truth by means of religious practices, disciplines and through intensive meditations. Rishis and sages like Shushrutacharya, Charakacharya, Vagbaht, Sarangdhar etc. created great commentaries, contributing their efforts and insights to make it available to all of us.

Ayurveda is concerned with eight principle branches of medicines, collectively called ‘Ashtang Ayurveda’. They are pediatrics, gynecology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, geriatrics, otolaryngology, general medicine and surgery.

All these medical specialties are addressed according to theories of five elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth), the Tridoshas or bodily humors ( Vata, Pitta, Kapha), the seven Dhatus or bodily tissues, the three Malas or waste (urine, stool and sweat), and spiritual growth.

Any imbalance between body, mind and environment begins the process of disease.

The treatment not only works on the disease but also emphasizes achieving more health, longevity and awareness.

There are various treatments including a daily regime, Meditations, Pranayama, Yoga, balanced diet according to the body type, the attributes, the medicines, and a variety of cleansing process called Panchakarma, Shirodhara, Rasayani, Vajikaran, etc.

Top

What is Panchakarma?
Ayurvedic treatment attempts to establish a balance between bodily humors. According to Ayurveda first eliminating the toxins (excess dosas) that are responsible for the disease, is very important in the initiation of any form of treatment. There are two types of toxins. The neutralization of toxins can be applied on both physical and emotional levels.

Panchakarma is basically cleansing process that not only treats diseases but also improve health to achieve longevity and rejuvenation. According to individual’s health status, one or more processes can be useful for improving the health.

Pancha means five and Karma means action or process.

These are five process are:

Vaman(Vomiting), Virechana (purgative or laxative), Basti (medicated enemas), Nasya (nasal administration) and Raktmokshan-blood letting (purification of the blood).

There are detail guidelines in Ayurveda about these process with indication and contra-indication as well the Purvakarmas(pre-processes) and Pachatkarma (precautions after the cleansing process).

Snehan (oil massage) and Swedan (steaming) are necessary pre-procedures for Panchakarma.

For more Information, Trainings and Sessions contact: Dr. Anita Rawandale (Dhyan Urja), Ayurvedic Doctor
Raso Vai Ayurveda Pune (Poona) Maharashtra, India 91-20-6056108 info@rasovai.com		Former Doctor at the Osho Resort in Pune till 1999. She is now conducting Ayurvedic workshops, Ayurvedic massage, Ayurvedic Head massage and Yoga trainings around the globe (Nepal, Korea and Italy), and in India (Goa, Dharmsala and Manali). Private sessions available.

Top