DON'T GET SICK! (Ayurveda)

Member Name: ks.h

Product:	Ayurveda
Date:	30/11/01 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Prevention is better than a cure

Disadvantages: Can be expensive, Questions can be intrusive

I am fortunate to be a pretty healthy person and do not visit the doctors very often and because of this in October I received a letter from my doctors surgery inviting me to make an appointment at the well women clinic; after thinking about it for a couple of weeks I decided to make an appointment.

I went along to the clinic for my appointment and was surprised to find I had a thirty-minute slot, the nurse called my name and off I went to my appointed treatment room. After having my blood pressure taken and height and weight noted I was asked some general questions about my health and then the nurse explained that the point of the visit was to ensure my continued good health.

My doctors are very open minded and not the type of doctors who automatically issue prescriptions, they encourage the use of alternative medicines and the practitioner started to explain to me the practice of Ayurveda, Ayur meaning life and veda meaning knowledge, the philosophy behind this practice is that prevention is better than cure.

Ayurveda has been practised for thousands of years and it is a traditional Indian practise, it is centred around the belief that five elements exist in different proportions and combinations to make up everything in the universe.

The five elements are:

Air
This element is thought to bring contentment and happiness. Think of wind or aromas as being in constant movement, air is also connected to the sense of touch.

Water
This element represents attraction and coherence. Two-thirds of our planet is made up of water and our bodies consist largely of water, this element suggests the sense of taste and the emotion of love.

Fire
This element represents heat, light, transformation, power and energy; it is linked to the power of sight.

Earth
The element of stability and security and it is linked to the sense of smell.

Space
The element of spirituality and enlightenm
ent, think of space as giving unlimited possibilities, it is linked with the sense of sound.

Ayurveda tradition teaches that these five elements make up the three main mind/body types, called doshas that influence everything from physical characteristics to personality traits in human beings. For total good health it is believed that these energies must be balanced, we must feel healthy on mental, physical and spiritual levels to ensure lasting good health.

A dosha can be broken down into three groups: Vata – air/space, Pitta – fire and Kapha – earth/water.

Vata people tend to be light, moving, changing, restless, lively, energetic and irregular.

Pitta people tend to be warm, intense, smart, direct, good leaders and perfectionists.

Kapha people tend to be solid, reliable, thoughtful and calm

The practice of Ayurveda also recognises that we are constantly changing and that each individual embodies all elements in a unique combination called our prakruti. As individuals we change and influence the balance and effects of the elements in several ways, particularly in what we eat and therefore much of Ayurvedic thinking addresses food as medicine and an aid to preventing illness.

Food is classified into six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. After a consultation with your Ayurveda practitioner a diet can be worked out for you, certain types, and even temperatures of food will be recommended to balance doshas and energies, there are also some practical rules you have to follow such as not talking with your mouth full or rushing your food.

As well as looking at your diet breathing techniques are discussed along with yoga and a massage programme. You are also encouraged to undertake a detox programme to rid your body of the toxins within the body due to poor eating, health practises and stress. Basically all aspects of your life are discussed.

Treatme
nt is divided into three categories; practical aids such as massage and yoga, diet and medicinal remedies that are made from natural substances like herbs, vegetables and minerals. As well as following an Ayurveda programme as a preventative measure it can also be very beneficial in treating certain conditions brought about by stress such as eczema, migraines, problems with indigestion and ulcers.

Although Ayurveda was initially explained to me at my doctor's there are no qualified Ayurveda practitioners at the surgery, my doctors are able to give advice about certain forms of health care and encourage their patients to look at alternative medicines and ways of remaining healthy. I did however discuss my diet and other factors in my life, which could cause stress related health problems if not addressed which I found very helpful. Massage and yoga classes are available in numerous health clubs and leisure centres if required.

To follow a full Ayurveda regime you must visit a qualified practitioner and this could become quite expensive, you have to stay in regular contact with the practitioner and the questions you will be asked can appear very intrusive to some people.

I found my visit to the well women clinic to be very beneficial, I had taken my good health for granted and like most things in life remaining healthy is something you actually have to work; I have had the rudiments of Ayurveda explained to me and if I joined a yoga class and had regular massages at a health club I know I would not be following an Ayurveda programme but I would still be benefiting from the procedures.

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