Ayurveda – The Future Of Medicine…

Over the past 50 years, modern medicine has minimized the risk of many diseases, performed sophisticated surgeries, transplanted organs and created many other cures to life threatening illnesses. North America is very fortunate to have some of the best medical facilities in the world.

However, despite all of these medical advancements, many illnesses including heart disease, cancer, anxiety, depression, obesity and diabetes are on the rise.

Consumers now have access to so much information; through the internet, social media, access to medical journals and so forth, that they are no longer taking a passive approach to their own health or illness and how they want to approach it.

Many patients are looking for advice on what to eat, what supplements to take for their condition, and how to better manage their stress, and unfortunately some of these answers the medical community is not able to provide. In addition, consumers want to know more about alternative health systems beyond the western medical system.

One growing medical trend is Ayurvedic Medicine. Despite its over five-thousand year old history, today it is at the forefront of mind-body medicine and it is growing rapidly worldwide. Ayurveda originated in India and is defined as the Science Of Life.

The two main guiding principles of Ayurveda are 1.) the mind and the body are inextricably connected, and 2.) nothing has more power to heal and transform the body than the mind.  Ayurveda also looks at treating the person versus the disease, and recognizes we all have different mind/body constitutions.

Consider adding some of below key Ayurvedic practices and lifestyle choices to add balance and bring optimum health to your life.

Aim for 6-8 hours of sleep without the aid of sleeping aids or alcohol. Sleep is the cornerstone for health, during our sleep our bodies rejuvenates and repairs itself. You should wake up feeling rested and vibrant.

 LEARN YOUR DOSHA

Ayurveda is a personalized approach to health, and knowing your mind-body type (dosha) allows you to make optimal choices about diet, exercise, supplements, and all other aspects of your lifestyle.

 LEARN TO MEDITATE

Meditation is one of the most powerful tools the ancient Ayurvedic physicians prescribed for balancing the mind and body.  Develop a regular daily practice and you will notice changes in your life and your ability to deal with stressors.

Move your body and get your heart rate up for 30 minutes per day.

 Add a mind/body/soul discipline to your daily routine, such as yoga or Tai-chi/Qigong.

Ayurveda has it’s own language that describes our primary qualities or modes of nature.

 We all have some of Tamas/Rajas/Sattva in our life. Try to move your nature/choices from Tamas to Rajas and then from Rajas to a more Sattvic lifestyle.

Once more of your choices and lifestyle become Sattvic your health will improve as well.

TAMAS – heavy meat diet, frequent use of drugs/alcohol, lots of T.V, need for sleep is high, lazy, easily angered, fearful, very lustful and lots of desire, vain, frequently depressed, lack love, frequent violent behaviour, attached to material goods/money, never content, hold grudges/lack of forgiveness, low cleanliness, dull speech.Very judgemental. No Exercise. No Meditation practice.

RAJAS –  some meat, occasional use of drugs/alcohol, some T.V., moderate need for sleep, work for personal goals, sometimes angered, sometimes fearful, some desires and lusts, some ego, sometimes depressed, personal love, some violent behaviour, some attachment to material goods/money, fairly content, can forgive with effort, moderate cleanliness, Agitated speech. Some judgement, Some exercise, Meditation but not a daily practice.

SATTVA –  Vegetarian, no drugs/alcohol, Very little T.V, little need for too much sleep, selfless work, rarely angered, rarely fearful, little desire or lust, modest pride, never depressed, universal love, never violent behaviour. little attachment to material goods/money, usually content, forgives easily, hight cleanliness, calm and peaceful speech, non-judgemental, Regular Exercise, Daily meditation practice.

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