What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda (also known as Ayurvedic Medicine) is perhaps one of the oldest holistic medicine systems known today and it was developed by Yogis and Swamis in India more than thousands of years ago. The meaning of the term Ayurveda is 'science of life' and it is a healing system practiced by many around the world.

Unlike conventional orthodox medicine that we all know, Ayurveda covers the whole human being, it is a full integration of your spiritual, emotional, mental and physical bodies. This holistic medicine creates a harmony between the body, the spirit and the mind and is considered by the WHO (World Health Organization) as an alternative natural medicine for healing.

Based on ancient scriptures of India, every person has a different type of personal constitution, these are called Prakriti, which means 'nature', in reference to the actual nature of each person. The Prakriti is our biological pattern, a code combination that each of us possesses and it defines our essence, this code combinations are called 'Doshas'.

Elements and Doshas

To classify the human body, Ayurveda uses the identification of the five essential elements that are: Earth, Ether, Fire, Water and Air. Each of us has all these elements but in different quantities, these differences are divided into three categories called Doshas (mind-body type).

The Doshas or “Principles” are categories established by Ayurveda that classify human beings into three different groups: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata

(body of elements Ether and Air)

Vata kind of person has thin dry skin and brittle hair. Of thin and tall physical constitution. They are intelligent and creative people, with a quiet personality. An elements-imbalance would result in changes such as insecurity, nervousness, anxiety and lack of concentration.

Pitta

(body of elements Fire and Water)

Individuals with shiny skin and thick - oily hair, with a strong and athletic body type. Active personality, competitive and eager for power and success. An element-imbalance would mean changes in attitude, irritability, impatience, jealousy and tendency to inflammatory diseases.

Kapha

(body of elements Earth and Water)

A Kapha body type has thick skin and oily hair, with a large body constitution and tendency to gain weight somewhat easily. Emotionally they are loving and compassionate, positive, calm and enthusiastic. When a Kapha has an imbalance, gains weight fast, has congestion problems and will have a depressed emotional state.

Purpose of Ayurveda

The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda can be a very powerful tool to achieve a healthy and balanced life. Ayurveda allows us and helps us understand our true individual nature and find the best ways and methods to balance your life on a physical, mental, spiritual and emotional level. Each Dosha (mind-body type) has certain energy needs in relation to diet and lifestyle, by reaching the specific requirements of each 'principle', it is possible to achieve a harmony and balance in the body, mind and spirit, and have a better health.

Ayurveda uses different methods of healing based on herbs, diets and lifestyle, these millenary principles of alternative medicine are applicable to modern life with great influence on good health and personal balance. Ayurvedic medicine uses hundreds of herbs, species and plants to balance the ‘principles’ or Doshas of each person by relating different plants characteristics to different organic systems of the body and applying them to different situations.

Herbs

These are some of the most important plants in Ayurvedic medicine

Ashwaganda

This herb helps balance high levels of cortisol (stress hormone), in addition to balancing testosterone to the natural levels each person should have. This herb is especially useful for the control of anxiety and an natural alternative to antidepressant medications. It helps to restore strength and muscle mass.

Arjuna

Strengthens blood vessels, contains properties to help lower risks of developing heart disease. It relieves chest pains that are related to heart disease by relaxing blood vessels. It also elevates collagen levels naturally in the body.

Turmeric

This plant has many properties, but it is widely known as a treatment for chronic inflammations. It helps to release depression, cleans arteries and relieves body aches including arthritis, strengthens the digestive system and related inflammatory conditions. It is also used to help in treatments against cancer.

Amla

This herb is especially useful for anemia treatments, it also strengthen the body's immune system. It is also known for its rejuvenating properties. The Amla can be used for bronchitis treatments, constant cough, flu or respiratory system infections.

Shatavari

It is well known as a female tonic that contributes to the balance of hormones and strengthens the reproductive system and increases female fertility. This herb reduces vaginal dryness after menopause.

Boswellia

This is an anti-inflammatory herb used to relieve pains and symptoms of arthritis and other related conditions. It also helps the treatment of asthma, hay fever, sore throat and menstrual cramps.

Ginger Hooven

A girl from Tennessee by birth, I came to Guatemala after a four-year working season at "Bread for the World," a Washington-based public policy organization that works on hunger issues in many countries around the world.

I am a certified Ayurvedic practitioner (since 2010) (MA Ayurveda) working face to face with clients, using the principles of yoga and Ayurveda to create balance. I am president of the Yoga School at the Mount Madonna Institute and Yoga and Ayurveda instructor at the Ayurveda College. I contribute at the Board of Directors of the Monte Madonna Institute and I am an active member of the National Association of Ayurveda M. (NAMA). When I'm not teaching in Mount Madonna, I live in Guatemala where I have a small retreat center, Casa San Juan (posada - yoga - ayurveda). I founded the first yoga studio in Antigua Guatemala in 2000 and I continued to teach in workshops and retreats of both yoga and Ayurveda. My classes / workshops include: Anatomy and Biomechanics of Asana, The Art of Adjustment, Yoga and Ayurveda for Self-Healing, The Subtle Body, The Fundamentals of Yoga, Samkhya Philosophy: The Foundation of Yoga and Ayurveda, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.