Yoga has exploded in popularity in the United States in the last few decades. With the growing number of people practicing yoga, more are turning to a related ancient system of health, Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient system of health that translated from Sanskrit means the science of life. This traditional form of medicine is still practiced as a mainstream form of healthcare in India, and is growing in popularity as an alternative health care system in countries throughout the world.
Ayurveda keeps the body in balance by maintaining balance in the three humors, or doshas of the body. These are known as pitta, vata and kapha. Most people are predominately one or a combination of two dominant doshas. This information is derived from a test and the answers to the questions determine the dominate dosha.
The goal is to bring the body in to balance by balancing the doshas through nutrition, exercise and practices such as meditation, cleansing, massage and yoga. The belief is that when the body is out of balance, disease is the result. By bringing the body, mind and spirit back into balance and maintaining this balance, health can be achieved.
There are many similarities in the practices of yoga and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are both Vedic traditions that originated in India thousands of years ago. They originated in the same place, from the same people and have both lasted for thousands of years.
Yoga and Ayurveda have the same ultimate goal. Both practices are designed to create balance in the body, mind and spirit. Both practices improve health of the body and longevity.
In fact, yoga is a key component of Ayurveda. In the ancient Ayurvedic texts, yoga is one of the aspects of the practice for its ability to help rejuvenate the body, release stress and the calming effect that yoga has on the body, mind and spirit.