Tag: Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and healing that originated in India around 5,000 years ago. It’s now practiced across the globe, and has influenced many other traditional approaches to health and wellness. It focuses on the concept of the three doshas, which relate to our fundamental types of energy. We all possess each of the doshas, and the key to good health is maintaining a balance between all three of them.

Consequently, following an Ayurveda lifestyle will provide you with a balanced approach to your health, shaping your daily routine, your diet and your behavior.

To get started, simply follow these three simple steps

1. Find Time to Meditate

When it comes to living an Ayurveda lifestyle, meditation is arguably the most important aspect. The modern world is incredibly fast-paced, and meditation is essential when it comes to balancing the mind and promoting general health. It can be difficult to find enough time to meditate, but it must be performed on a daily basis to get the best results.

Meditation can help you become more aware of your body’s emotional response to the stressors of daily life. The ability to recognize negative emotions is the first step to control the reactions and reduce stress, so it’s important to take time each day to dedicate to this important activity.

2. Make Use of Ayurvedic Treatments

Treatments, such as face and head massages, can be used to accelerate the process of balancing the three doshas. The available treatments differ, according to the specific imbalances that need to be addressed. For example, Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic forehead oil flow treatment, which can be used to alleviate stress and promote mental clarity. If you’re an excitable person, and have difficulty switching off, you might benefit from a treatment such as Karana Purana. In this treatment, warm oil is poured into the ears, which can help to restore calm. It’s also a fantastic remedy to hearing damage caused by the noise and pollution encountered in daily life.

Investing in Ayurvedic treatments can be a fantastic way to restore balance between your three doshas. Before you book a treatment, you should consult with the therapist to determine which treatment is best suited to your own requirements.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Ayurveda principles state that sleep is essential to repair and protect the body, both physically and mentally. When you’re sleep deprived, your immune system is compromised and your body cannot maintain its natural balance. In general, we need around eight hours of high quality sleep each night, without the use of medication. If you feel lethargic and lack energy in the mornings, it’s a sign you’re not getting the right amount of sleep, or that your sleep is not of the required quality. When you’re following an Ayurveda lifestyle, you should feel alert and energetic each morning, as your lifestyle is aligned with your natural daily cycle.

To restore the balance within your sleep cycle, you must therefore take into consideration your body’s natural cycles. In a natural environment, sleep is influenced by the transition between day and night, as the shift to darkness prepares our body for sleep. This process is easily disrupted by modern life – bright lights and the use of electronics in the evening prevents the body from detecting important bedtime signals, both affecting the ability to fall asleep and the subsequent quality of sleep. It is possible to mimic this natural cycle by making a few small changes to your nighttime routine. You should refrain from using electronic devices, such as the television or your mobile phone, close to bedtime. The few hours before bedtime should be used to relax, using only dim lighting to help your body wind down for the evening.

These Ayurveda tips come courtesy of the Samsara Mind and Body Ayurveda team in London.