Ayurveda, a key ingredient to health, balance, and happiness.
When we begin to view our health beyond the scope of lab results, vital signs, and the size of jeans that you fit into, we welcome a new perspective. One that cultivates awareness and balance to the body. With the ancient wisdom provided by the sages and rishis who developed the system of health and healing referred today as Ayurveda we can view our health from a different point of observation, one of a place of compassion and love for ourselves. Ayurveda is an ancient form of Medicine practiced for centuries originating in India, with written knowledge dating as far back as 5000 years ago. Ayurveda is considered to be the sister to Yoga and has begun to spread its wings in our Western Culture over the past couple of decades. With incredible knowledge and wisdom of Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar (to name a few) have introduced Ayurveda, Yoga, and Meditation in the Western Culture, opening our eyes to a greater understanding of ourselves and opening the doorways to awakened souls.
Ayurveda translates to the Science of Life, literally applying the science of our environment to our human anatomy and physiology. In other words, one can learn to create balance and health by applying the knowledge found in Mother Nature and in the Cosmos. Humans are an expression of the Universe, just as Mother Earth our physical bodies contain the same elements found in the cosmos. With understanding the qualities of such elements we can correct the imbalance, purify our bodies, and nourish our cells and tissues creating vitality, longevity, and robust health. A great teacher of Ayurveda, Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar once said that "Ayurveda views health as a byproduct of enlightenment." Those words struck such a cord within, like a lighting bolt. Yes! Here lies the key to our physical aspect of our human experience.
As we dive deeper into understanding our health and balance we will encourage you to be open minded and embrace the teachings and wisdom provided for us in Ayurveda. Ayurveda will not only help us to create awareness, wisdom will accompany yoga with finding balance, and will aid in the purification of the body, mind, and soul.
We encourage you to begin observing nature around you to cultivate awareness of the elements which are the foundations in Ayurveda.
When you walk through your neighborhood, park, garden or any place that is outside begin to notice what the elements feel like.
Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space
Touch the Earth, feel the dirt in your palms, smell the pine on the trees, breath in the smells of the asphalt. Connect with the ground below your feet and feel the effect. Take notice.
Water, observe how the water flows through a nearby creek, river, lake, or fountain. Watch the rainfall cascading over your window. Focus on the taste of you next glass of water. What does it feel like? What does the cleansing effect of the water have on you when you take your next shower?
Fire, feel the heat of the sun. Stop for a moment, direct your attention to the sun, close your eyes and feel the effect of the warmth on your skin. If it is a dark winter day, when you light a candle or sit by a fireplace, focus your attention of the warmth coming from the the flame.
Air, as the air moves over and around your skin, feel the touch. Feel the cool winter wind bring shivers down your spine or the cool summer breeze bringing you relieve on a hot day.
Space, look up and connect. Day or night, just look up. When was the last time that you looked up and noticed the clouds, the shapes that they make? When we were children we would notice the dragon in the sky or the heart shaped cloud. How often to you look at the stars and watch them dance in the light? Connect with the boundless space that surrounds us.
Observe Nature
Let these observations of Nature be your introduction to Ayurveda, like a window into your health. Nature offers us the necessary tools to reconnect with our body, mind, and soul. The beauty that we find as we observe in Nature will soon be found within. First, my friend take a mere moment, even if it is just 10 seconds at a time to connect with the great elements as described above: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. We hope that the observations and simple connection brings you joy and harmony.
Until next time,
Carlie Irvin + Prāna Health Center
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