YOGA, AYURVEDA, ASTROLOGY
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, meaning “the knowledge of life,” is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, with origins before 5000 B.C. It emphasizes prevention, balance, and aligning with nature’s rhythms for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Key Points:
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‘Ayu’ means long life, ‘Veda’ means knowledge.
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Ayurveda guides each individual toward a long, healthy, and balanced life.
Definition of Ayurveda
Sanskrit Shloka (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter 1, Shloka 41)
हिताहितं सुखं दुःखं आयुः तस्य हिताहितम्।
मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तं आयुर्वेदः स उच्यते॥
Transliteration:
hitāhitaṃ sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ āyuḥ tasya hitāhitam |
mānaṃ ca tacca yatroktaṃ āyurvedaḥ sa ucyate ||
Translation
“Ayurveda is that which describes the beneficial and harmful aspects of life,
the happy and unhappy states, what is wholesome and unwholesome for life, and its measurement.”
Explanation
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Hita Ayu (wholesome life) and Ahita Ayu (unwholesome life) represent Ayurveda’s guidance on living ethically and compassionately within society, supporting collective well-being.
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Sukha Ayu (happy life) and Dukha Ayu (unhappy life) reflect the individual experience of health, happiness, and suffering, emphasizing the importance of daily choices.
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Ayurveda teaches us how to live a balanced life, understanding what supports or hinders health, happiness, and longevity by aligning lifestyle with nature’s principles.
Ayurveda and Its Purpose
Sanskrit Reference
स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणम्, आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनम्।
Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam, Aaturasya Vikara Prashamanam
Meaning
“To preserve the health of the healthy, and to alleviate the disorders of the sick.”
Purpose of Ayurveda
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To maintain and protect the good health of an individual through prevention and balance.
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To treat and manage diseases when they occur using natural, holistic approaches.
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To impart knowledge of what is beneficial (Hita Ayu) and what is harmful (Ahita Ayu) for life.
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To educate on the importance of right diet, lifestyle, seasonal routines, and the use of herbs and therapies for a balanced, healthy, and fulfilled life.
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The Practice of Ayurveda
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The practice of Ayurveda embraces a wide range of holistic approaches to maintain and restore health, including:
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Herbal Medicine: Using plants and natural substances to support healing and balance doshas.
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Diet and Lifestyle Modifications: Aligning daily routines, seasonal habits, and personalized nutrition with one’s constitution (Prakriti) and current state (Vikriti).
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Yoga and Meditation: Integrating movement, breathwork, and mindfulness to promote physical strength, flexibility, mental clarity, and inner peace.
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Body Therapies: Practices such as Abhyanga (oil massage), Shirodhara (oil pouring therapy), Panchakarma (detox therapies), and Marma therapy to cleanse and rejuvenate the body and mind.
Ayurvedic practitioners focus on treating the root cause of disease rather than merely addressing symptoms, aiming for lasting health, vitality, and balance.
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The Five Elements in Ayurveda
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In Ayurveda, the universe, including the human body, is composed of five great elements (Pancha Mahabhutas):
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Space (Akasha) – Represents expansiveness, emptiness, and the space within the body (e.g., mouth, nostrils, abdomen).
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Qualities: Light, subtle, clear.
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Air (Vayu) – Represents movement and flow, governing motion within the body (e.g., breathing, muscle movement, nerve impulses).
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Qualities: Dry, mobile, light, cold.
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Fire (Tejas) – Represents transformation, digestion, and metabolism, both physically and mentally.
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Qualities: Hot, sharp, light, dry.
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Water (Apas) – Represents fluidity and cohesion, present in bodily fluids like blood, lymph, and saliva.
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Qualities: Cool, liquid, heavy, soft.
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Earth (Prithvi) – Represents structure and stability, forming the solid structures of the body such as bones, muscles, and tissues.
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Qualities: Heavy, dense, stable.
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These five elements combine to form the three doshas:
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Vata (Space + Air),
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Pitta (Fire + Water),
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Kapha (Water + Earth).
The Six Tastes in Ayurveda (Shad Rasa)
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In Ayurveda, taste (Rasa) plays a vital role in nutrition, digestion, and dosha balance. Each taste has unique qualities and impacts the body and mind differently.
The Six Tastes:
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Sweet (Madhura)
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Elements: Earth + Water
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Nourishing, grounding, builds tissues, calms Vata and Pitta, but increases Kapha.
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Sour (Amla)
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Elements: Earth + Fire
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Stimulates digestion, increases salivation, energizing, calms Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha.
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Salty (Lavana)
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Elements: Water + Fire
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Improves taste, supports digestion, calms Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha.
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Bitter (Tikta)
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Elements: Air + Ether
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Detoxifying, lightening, reduces Pitta and Kapha, increases Vata.
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Pungent (Katu)
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Elements: Fire + Air
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Stimulates digestion and circulation, clears sinuses, reduces Kapha, increases Vata and Pitta.
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Astringent (Kashaya)
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Elements: Air + Earth
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Absorbs water, tones tissues, reduces Pitta and Kapha, increases Vata.
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Ayurvedic Pulse Analysis (Nadi Pariksha)
Nadi Pariksha
What is Nadi Pariksha?
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It involves feeling the radial pulse at the wrist using three fingers, each corresponding to Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
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It helps identify Prakriti (your natural constitution) and Vikriti (current imbalances).
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The practitioner evaluates rate, rhythm, strength, and qualities of the pulse to gain insights into organ systems, doshic imbalances, and subtle energies.
Why is Nadi Pariksha Important?
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It provides deep, personalized insight without invasive procedures.
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Detects imbalances before they manifest into disease.
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Guides personalized recommendations on diet, lifestyle, herbs, and Panchakarma.
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Assists in tracking progress during Ayurvedic treatment.
What to Expect During Your Session:
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You will be asked to sit comfortably, ideally in a calm state.
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The practitioner will place three fingers on your wrist, gently assessing your pulse.
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You may also be asked about sleep, digestion, stress, and emotional patterns.
Nadi Pariksha is an ancient Ayurvedic diagnostic tool that assesses your physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the pulse.
Sanskrit Shloka
“Nadi gati gyanam ayushya vidhyate.”
“By knowing the pulse, knowledge about life and its quality is attained.”
The Six Tastes in Ayurveda (Shad Rasa)
Ayurveda identifies six tastes (Rasa) that influence doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
1. Sweet (Madhura)
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Elements: Earth + Water
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Effect:↓ Vata, ↓ Pitta, ↑ Kapha
2. Sour (Amla)
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Elements: Earth + Fire
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Effect:↓ Vata, ↑ Pitta, ↑ Kapha
3. Salty (Lavana)
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Elements: Fire + Water
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Effect:↓ Vata, ↑ Pitta, ↑ Kapha
4. Pungent (Katu)
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Elements: Air + Fire
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Effect:↑ Vata, ↑ Pitta, ↓ Kapha
5. Bitter (Tikta)
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Elements: Air + Ether
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Effect:↑ Vata, ↓ Pitta, ↓ Kapha
6. Astringent (Kashaya)
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Elements: Air + Earth
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Effect:↑ Vata, ↓ Pitta, ↓ Kapha
How to Use in Daily Life:
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Choose tastes to balance your constitution and current imbalances:
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Vata imbalance: Favor sweet, sour, salty tastes.
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Pitta imbalance: Favor sweet, bitter, astringent tastes.
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Kapha imbalance: Favor pungent, bitter, astringent tastes.
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Incorporate all six tastes in meals for complete nourishment and balanced digestion.
Ayurvedic Detox and Alignment
Detox in Ayurveda is not just physical cleansing but a realignment of body, mind, and energy for sustainable health. It removes ama (toxins), balances doshas, and restores vitality.
Marma Therapy
Marma points are vital energy points where prana (life force) flows. Gentle stimulation during detox helps:
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Release blocked energy
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Improve circulation
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Align physical and subtle bodies
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Reduce pain and emotional stagnation
Yoga
Yoga supports detox by:
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Enhancing digestion and elimination
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Stimulating lymphatic flow
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Calming the mind
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Supporting body alignment and breath awareness
Panchakarma
Panchakarma is Ayurveda’s deep detox program using personalized therapies:
It clears deep-seated toxins, balances doshas, and rejuvenates tissues.
Abhyanga (Oil Massage)
oil massage: Oils are selected acording to clients Pulse analysis
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Mobilizes toxins for elimination
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Calms the nervous system
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Nourishes tissues
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Lubricates joints
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Grounds Vata during detox
Shirodhara
Warm herbal oil poured over the forehead:
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Deeply relaxes the nervous system
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Calms mind and emotions
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Supports restful sleep
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Enhances mental clarity
Recommended during detox to reduce stress and mental ama.
Diet for Detox
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Eat light, warm, freshly cooked meals
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Favor mung bean soup, kitchari, warm herbal teas
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Avoid heavy, oily, cold, processed foods
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Favor spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric
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Eat mindfully in a peaceful environment
Ayurvedic Tea and Diet Recommendations According to Prakriti
1. Vata Prakriti (Space + Air)
Tea:
Vata-Calming Tea with warm water, ginger, fennel, and licorice.
Optional: add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth and grounding.
Daily Diet:
Focus on warm, moist, grounding, nourishing, and easy-to-digest foods.
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Grains: Rice, oatmeal, quinoa, cooked wheat.
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Vegetables: Cooked carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, squashes.
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Fruits: Ripe bananas, mangoes, cooked apples, dates.
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Dairy: Warm milk with turmeric, ghee in moderation.
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Spices: Ginger, cumin, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon.
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Avoid: Raw salads, cold foods, dry crackers, excessive beans, carbonated drinks.
2. Pitta Prakriti (Fire + Water)
Tea:
Pitta-Cooling Tea using coriander, fennel, and rose petals, or mint tea served at room temperature.
Daily Diet:
Focus on cooling, hydrating, mildly sweet, and light foods.
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Grains: Basmati rice, barley, oats.
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Vegetables: Leafy greens, cucumber, asparagus, zucchini.
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Fruits: Melons, pears, sweet apples, pomegranates.
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Dairy: Cool milk, ghee, fresh paneer.
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Spices: Coriander, fennel, turmeric (small amounts), mint.
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Avoid: Spicy, oily, sour, fried, and fermented foods.
3. Kapha Prakriti (Water + Earth)
Tea:
Kapha-Reducing Tea with ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves to stimulate digestion and metabolism.
Daily Diet:
Focus on light, warm, dry, and stimulating foods.
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Grains: Barley, millet, buckwheat, light basmati rice.
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Vegetables: Steamed or lightly cooked leafy greens, peppers, broccoli.
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Fruits: Apples, pears, berries (in moderation).
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Dairy: Minimal or avoid; buttermilk is preferable if needed.
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Spices: Black pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves.
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Avoid: Heavy, oily, cold, sweet foods, excess dairy, fried and sugary foods.
General Tips
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Drink warm water throughout the day.
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Eat freshly prepared meals according to your Prakriti.
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Avoid overeating and emotional eating.
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Take a gentle walk after meals to aid digestion.
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Follow regular meal timings and avoid late-night eating.
Suggested Daily Routine
Morning: Warm herbal tea with light stretching, pranayama, or meditation.
Breakfast: Light, warm meal aligned with Prakriti.
Lunch: Main meal of the day with freshly prepared food, eaten calmly.
Afternoon: Herbal tea suited to Prakriti to support digestion and energy.
Dinner: Light, warm, and early, ideally by 7 PM, easy to digest.
Bedtime: Optional herbal tea or warm water for grounding and digestion.
