MamaVeda Lesson 1 - Ayurveda · mamaveda lesson 1 - ayurveda !2 “Because of its broad scope,...

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Ayurveda fundamentals - 1 !You, and the world around you

!1MAMAVEDA LESSON 1 - AYURVEDA

!What is Ayurveda?

!“The entire vedic tradition is composed of highly spiritual wisdom and pure knowledge revealed through

the hears hears of enlightened rishis. It is not a creation made by the minds of man but rather a revelation from the hearts of meditative sages.” !

- - Textbook of Ayurveda, Dr. Vasant Lad

!True health does not come from the mind or from the

knowledge of disease, but rather from what is felt in the body. !

Speak, hear and feel the words to truly understand the teachings.

!“The sanskrit word sutra means to suture with a thread. The small phrase of the sutra is analogous to a thread passing through the eye of a needle. The eye of the needle is small but the trail of the thread leads to great hidden wisdom waiting for interpretation. A seed is a tree in minute form. A sutra is analogous to the seed. The seed can have many meanings and can describe a variety of forms: a small sapling, a mature tree, flowers fruits, acorns or nuts. It is clear that the seed embraces the totality. It is the microcosm within

the macrocosm. The same is true of the sutra.” !- Textbook of Ayurveda, Dr. Vasant Lad

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“Because of its broad scope, Ayurveda embraces all health care disciplines and weaves them into an integrated treatment plan for each individual. If a person needs surgery, surgical procedures are available.

If a person needs needs psychological or spiritual counselling, or rejuvenation of the body, mind, and spirit, there are procedures for those as well. Ayurveda encompasses all these treatments and coordinates them

appropriately. It is called a “living” science since it incorporates modern developments and techniques along with ancient wisdom…Most other medical disciplines are too specialized to design a plan that includes

elimination of the cause(s), treatment of the condition, rebuilding of the body and the continuing support of a rejuvenation program. In Ayurveda, all these elements are of paramount importance in the treatment

process…There is no concept of specialization in Ayurveda as there is in western medicine. Ayurveda treats the whole person, not just he organ or system involved.” !

- Textbook of Ayurveda, Dr. Vasant Lad

!Ayur = Life Veda = Science/Study Ayurveda = The Science of Life !

“The Natural Healing System” !!Ayurveda is likely the oldest health care system in the

world, with roots going back over 5000 years. It is known as “The Mother Of All Healing”, as it utilizes

equal focus on all aspects of human health, including; !

Mind Body & Spirit !

It not only considers the physical aspects of the body but also the psychology and spirituality of the individual.


Ayurveda is perhaps the worlds oldest, and most complete form of naturopathic medicine.

It emphasizes equal care towards ones; !

Diet Lifestyle

Supplementation Self care practicesMental wellbeing

Spiritual/Inner connectivity !

Ayurveda is not affiliated with any religious teacher, group or tradition. It does however, stress the importance of

yoga and meditation. !

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Feel how much it matters how much you show up. !

Ask yourself - if not now, then when? !

“Do or do not do. It doesn’t matter.” - Afsheen Peyrow


The Elements !

“The rishis perceived that in the beginning the world existed in an unmanifested state of consciousness. From that state of the subtle vibrations of the cosmic, the soundless sound of Aum

manifested. From the subtle vibration of Aum came Ether (space). This ethereal element then began to move and through its subtle movements created the Air element, which is Ether in action. The movement of air produced friction and through friction heat was generated. Particles of heat combined to form intense light and from this light the fire element emerged. Thus, Ether produced

Air and it was Air that further manifested into Fire. The heat of Fire dissolved and liquefied certain ethereal elements, forming Water. that then solidified to form the molecules of Earth. In this

way, Ether manifested in to the four elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.” !- Textbook of Ayurveda, Dr. Vasant Lad !!

Earth Air Fire

Water Ether !

Elements combine to form Doshas !

Doshas are predictable patterns of mental, emotional and physical traits & characteristics that show up in our bodies and in

our eco system. !!

The elements in the Doshas affect the Quality in which we experience things… (more into this next week)


Your Constitution The Physical Body

!Dosha = Biological type, Physical constitution

!“The doshas - vata, pitta, and kapha - bind the five elements into living flesh. The concept of support is a natural function of these principles of physiology we call vata, pitta, kapha. They are the agents of DNA which form the blueprint for the physiology. They are energy complexes; these complexes are known by their

attributes.” !- Textbook of Ayurveda, Dr. Vasant Lad

!We are all born innately different.

Different genes, circumstances of birth, historical origin, hereditary disease, etc.

!The paths of our ancestors and parents affect us on a

deep and cellular level. !

These variables show up in a number of ways, in combination of 3 different forces;

!Vata Pitta

Kapha


Vata - “The wind” !!Elements: Air + Ether Qualities: dry, light, cold, mobile, rough, clear Season: fall - mid winter Nature: wind Location: colon, nerves, mind !

Vata sets the rhythm of the whole body. !

It is the force responsible for every movement within and without of the body and mind.

!It is the driving force behind the other 2 doshas. They, nor anything else in the universe could function without vata.

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Vata qualities in people show up in the following ways; !

Body Characteristics: Narrow, thin frame

Long neck and bones Weight fluctuates easily

!Personality:

Fast paced in thought, speech, and physical movement Energetic

Creative/Artistic !

Challenges: Often experiences constipation, immune weakness,

circulatory and nervous system imbalances !

Often worries and becomes overwhelmed Focusing is challenging

!Gifts:

Creative, enthusiastic, inspiring !!


Pitta - “Transformation” !Elements: Fire + Water Qualities: sharp, hot, oily, smooth, mobile Season: late spring - summer Nature: sun Location: small intestine, skin, liver, eyes !

Pitta is the energy of friction which creates heat. !

Heat is responsible for creation and transformation within the body. It literally burns up the old, and creates the new.

!People with pitta crave intensity and change. They move

with full force towards vision into action. !!!!!!


Pitta qualities in people show up in the following ways; !

Body Characteristics: Moderate, reasonable and steady with weight

Medium frame/build, Strong muscle tone !

Personality: Focused, driven, intense, dependable

Well collected in thought !

Challenges: Prone to loose stool, heartburn, headaches/migraines

Weakness present in liver/gallbladder Prone to skin rashes and acne

!Holds anger/resentment

Irritable and jealous - sometimes cynical !

Gifts: Performs well under stress

Natural teachers and leaders


Kapha - “Nourishment” !Elements: Water + Earth Qualities: wet, cold, heavy, soft, moist, oily, static Season: spring Nature: moon Locations: stomach, lung, sinuses, joints !

Kapha is composed of heavier elements, which has a cohesive, binding quality in its nature.

!Kapha quality is one of safety and offers a sense of

grounding. !

In Sanskrit, the word Kapha is interchangeable with the word Slesha, which literally translates as; “To hug”.

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Kapha qualities in people show up in the following ways; !

Body Characteristics: Stocky, shorter, heavier natural disposition

Good muscular development Large bone structure

!Personality:

Slow in speech, thought and movement Consistent, dedicated

!Challenges:

Potential for water retention, weight gain & diabetes Prone to mucous related illness

!Lethargy, depression and over attachment

!Gifts:

Unconditionally loving, nurturing, giving & devoted Great parents and care givers of all kinds

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Prakruti The way you have been from before the start.

!Prakriti = natural state/constitution “That which aligns us with our natural state.”

!3 Types

1. Janma Prakruti Genetic and Karmic

Determined at conception - does not change

!2. Deha Prakruti

Current state/condition - changes throughout life

eg. Pregnancy, birth, menopause, etc

!3. Manas Prakruti

Current mental constitution

Fluctuates with Deha prakruti - changes throughout life

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Its not important to remember the names of these states.

It is only important to understand that they exist.

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Vikruti !

Vikriti = Disease state, deviation from nature “That which is not aligned with our natural state.”

!Shows up as disease or symptoms in the body

(physical, mental and emotional) !

Diseases of movement // nervousness, digestion, elimination, absorption

!Diseases of deficiencies // nutritional, energetic

!Diseases of subtlety // ears, mind

!Diseases of heat // digestion, inflammation

!Diseases of excess // obesity, diabetes

!Dual doshic imbalances // fatigue + obesity

!Tridoshic imbalances // cancer, autoimmune disease


The closer we try to align our current condition (Vikriti) with our unchanging state (Prakruti) the closer we come to finding

our individual needs for optimal health. !!

Next we will move deeper into the understanding of the overall qualities each dosha offers us, and then from there we

can more easily tune into the shifts that need to happen to create true and lasting balance.

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“Like = Like, Opposites Create Balance.”


Homework !

Dosha Quiz: !

Take the dosha quiz one time. Generalize your answers to not only the present moment, but how

you have been throughout your life. !

Its a good idea to take the quiz with someone who has known you for a long time - we often give

answers based on how we would like to perceive ourselves (for better or worse) rather that how we

truly are. !

The test can be taken a second time, with your answers based on this present moment. This gives

you an idea of your Prakriti and your Vikriti (which we will get into in lesson 2).


MamaVeda Lesson 1 - Ayurveda · mamaveda lesson 1 - ayurveda !2 “Because of its broad scope,...

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