A Much too Short but Subtly Sweet Introduction:
Ayurveda,
It is the science of living.
It is ontological, philosophical, biological, anatomical.
It is learning to understand yourself, and all your surroundings.
It is gaining awareness of your thoughts and knowing what you need for grounding.
It is learning to follow those sweet subtleties;
Of nature’s, raw, and pure realities.
It is the unrehearsed, choreographed dances, between all of life’s transitions.
Practiced appropriately, it is a life lived in true harmony.
So what do you say,
Do you wish to come dance life’s transitions away?
Harmony; The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts:
In general terms;
It is achieved when varying components are functioning optimally because of their interdependencies.
Examples include;
Musical notes, shades of colour, companion plants.
Relative to the individual;
It is achieved when every component of one’s mind, body, and spirit, is functioning optimally interdependently.
Examples include;
Proper digestion, a calm nervous system, a sharp and clear mind.
When the Elements Combine; Prakruti and Vikruti States:
All things that come into creation,
Are results, of factors, of harmonization.
Countless combinations of the elements, Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Ether,
Are the building blocks for all of life;
Ayurvedic constitutional charts portray combinations of the elements in individuals.
One’s Prakruti chart is their elemental makeup at their time of birth.
One’s Vikruti chart is their elemental makeup at any point in time, after their birth.
Prakruti is the Sanskrit term meaning nature (Frawley & Lad, 2001, p 8).
Prakruti provides the psychosomatic (mind/body) constitution, in full accordance with nature.
It outlines a living expression of balance and harmony.
Vikruti is the Sanskrit term for disorder, disease, or pathological manifestation (Frawley & Lad, 2001, p 8).
One’s Vikruti state depicts deviations from one’s Prakruti chart.
These differences in elemental combinations define the root causes, and manifestations, of imbalances and illnesses.
Ayurveda works with these constitutional charts to align oneself with their true nature,
Their Prakruti state.
Achieving Harmony with Practicality; Ayurvedic Lifestyles:
The self is deeply connected to the environment.
Environmental factors create elemental changes.
These changes have the potential to either positively or negatively impact one’s health.
Ayurveda understands and works with these factors in order to maintain, or regain, one’s Prakruti state.
“Ayurveda is the science of how to create optimal health. Yoga is the science of how to attain peace of mind” (Halpern, 2011, p 21).
Ayurvedic practices include nutritional adaptations, herbal remedies, restoration guidelines, massage therapy, and sensory therapies. Yoga is the sister science to Ayurveda. All aspects of yoga are used in Ayurvedic treatments and practices, including breathing practices, asanas (postures), and meditation.
Practiced appropriately,
It is a life lived in true harmony.
So what do you say,
Do you wish to start rebalancing,
Your constitution today?
Chloe Chaput is a Reflexologist, Reiki Master, Ayurvedic Counselor, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, and children educator. She is currently enrolled with the California College of Ayurveda to complete her CAS1 internship this spring and summer. She has been working with infants, children, and their primary caregivers since 2014. With a strong devotion to combining Ayurvedic principles and practices to early childhood education, her work develops positive emotional responses and connects individuals to their potentials throughout important stages of development. Chloe develops realistic frameworks with parents and caregivers to help guide them on both their personal health and healing and parenting journeys.
~Smriti-remembering ~
Works Cited
Dr. Frawley, D & Dr. Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine. Lotus Press
Dr. Halpern, M (2011). Healing Your Life: Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda. Lotus Press