My Understanding 

Have you felt in the winter months you tend to feel cold and your skin is dry? You crave foods that are sweet and fat, and as winter ends you would like to lose some weight?

During the summer you tend to be hot and more cranky and irritable? You have a craving of foods that are cold and light? Have you felt in the fall that your thoughts are swirling in your head and you feel ungrounded, like something is missing? The human body is aligned with the laws of the Sun, the Moon and the Earth. Whatever happens outside in nature during the daytime and nighttime, it also relates to the human body. When it gets windy and cold outside we tend to be scatterbrained, ungrounded and our skin feels dry. In the summer months it’s hot and we feel super tired, and the heat makes us feel worn out, cranky and irritable. Ayurveda can help bring balance to the body by using the various methods through the body and mind, so we can be aligned to our true nature.

A Brief History

Ayurveda is the practice of medicine which dates back over 5000 years in ancient India during the Vedic period. The ayurvedic practices - a system of health as daily living were a part of the peoples lives. Ancient India was invaded by many countries but the major one was the British Empire which ruled India for 1000 years. It is a way of living which incorporates the five elements that are the building blocks of nature - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether(space). It is maintaining the balance and harmony within the body for good health and well-being. It is the science of natural medicine and treats the body as a whole and not just one aspect, like modern medicine. 

By definition Ayurveda is comprised of 2 words in Sanskrit

Ayuh - meaning ‘life’ or ‘longevity’

Veda -meaning ‘science’ or ‘sacred knowledge’

It’s important to understand that with every action there is a reaction, yes this is something I learned in chemistry class, but it’s part of all creation.

 In 1947 India gained independence from the British and ayurveda was again being embraced. Ayurveda wasn’t mainstream in the western world until the New Age of the 1980’s when yoga and alternative health made its way here. There was a need that wasn’t met here that people traveled to seek out alternative healing methods. Deepak Chopra, a prominent figure in the New Age movement comes to mind as I also was looking for something more than just chemical medicines and creams. My father had always been against harsh medicines especially since he was a chemist and had seen first hand how medications were made.

Ayurveda treats the whole person with: body, mind and soul.

To quote Charaka, the father of Ayurveda:

“Mind, soul and body, this trinity, called the person, resteth on union like three sticks (standing with one another’s support). Upon that (trinity) everything rests. That is also called purusha or being. It is also animate. That is regarded as the subject matter of this Science; and it is also for the sake of that, that this Science is promulgated.

—Charaka Samhita, Kaviratna Translation

“Mind, soul and body - these three are like a tripod: the world is sustained by their combination; they constitute the substratum for everything. This (combination of the above three) is Purusha(being); this is sentient and this is the subject matter of this Veda (Ayurveda); it is for this that this Veda (Ayurveda) is brought to light.”

— Charaka Samhita, Sharma/Dash Translation

The 4 pillars of ayurveda are necessary for well-being to maintain good health. 

These 4 are food, sleep, exercise, and emotional wellness are fundamentals of health. 

These are based on the different states of matter of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether (Space) that make up each person. The golden rule of ayurveda is to maintain balance and harmony within the body is essential for good health and well-being. There are self care practices, such as yoga, meditation, massage along with food and nutrition, that when followed will help balance the body’s energy channels and promote optimal functioning of the body. 

The purpose of ayurveda is to help restore balance to the whole person.

I am Mukti Patel, an ayurvedic practitioner as well as a facilitator of pranic healing techniques using breath work. I’ll be holding a workshop in July on staying cool in the summer heat.  I will also be facilitating a 6 week session of pranic healing. I am excited to share my knowledge with you all and look forward to meeting you! The time has come to explore and heal and find a balance to your true self!

 Mukti Patel

Blessed By Ayurveda