What if there was a way to not just treat disease, but also prevent it from ever taking root in your body? That sounds too good to be true, you say. But that’s exactly what the 5,000-year-old science of Ayurveda offers—and its benefits are more relevant and accessible than ever before.
In fact, this ancient Indian healing practice is having a moment like never before. From celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Olivia Newton-John to tech titans like Mark Zuckerberg and Google cofounder Sergey Brin—more and more leading lights are turning to Ayurveda as a catalyst for self-improvement and well-being. Let’s take a look at how this natural system of wellness can improve your life…
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural healing that originated in India thousands of years ago. “Ayurveda” is a Sanskrit word that translates to “the science of life,” and it is based on the belief that each person is a unique combination of Ayurvedic “doshas” or “energies” that dictate their health and wellness. These doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—the Vata dosha is responsible for your nervous system, Pitta for your digestive system, and the Kapha dosha governs the way your body holds water and nutrients.
Each of these energies is unique to you, but they will also change and fluctuate throughout your life, depending on your environment and lifestyle choices. By creating harmony between your doshas, Ayurveda helps you achieve optimal health and vitality, and helps you prevent illness before it even begins.
How can Ayurveda improve your life?
Ayurveda is a holistic system that does so much more than just treat disease. Traditionally, Ayurveda was used to heal ailments like headaches and digestive disorders, but practitioners today also use it as a tool for self-discovery and self-improvement. By taking Ayurvedic “disease prevention” to new heights, you not only protect your health, but you also become more attuned to your mind and body. And that self-awareness can improve every aspect of your life, from your relationships to your career.
Why more and more people are turning to Ayurveda right now
We’re living in a time where people are more aware than ever before of the long-term effects of their health and wellness practices. Thanks to growing concerns about the rise of synthetic chemicals in beauty products, foods, and household products, many people are turning to Ayurveda for guidance. One of the biggest reasons for Ayurveda’s popularity is that it offers a more tangible and accessible way to achieve wellness.
With Ayurveda, you are not just taking a pill to cure an ailment, but also making positive changes in your life that will last long after your symptoms subside. And in a world where mental health is becoming a bigger and bigger topic of conversation, Ayurveda is particularly valuable because it focuses on bringing balance and harmony to every part of your being—not just your mind. Ayurveda offers you a system to bring your body, mind and soul into alignment and balance.
How to incorporate Ayurveda into your life
If you’re interested in incorporating Ayurveda into your life, there are a few things you can do to get started.
Begin with an Ayurvedic quiz to determine your Ayurvedic type. Learn more about Ayurveda and your dosha. You can find an Ayurvedic coach or practitioner to help you work with your dosha, and create routines that work for you.
As much as getting new routines in place can seem like work, Ayurveda truly offers a framework for getting to know yourself better and creating a life that works well for you. Most of us live for many years in ways that conflict with our true natures – Ayurveda is a system that encourages you and helps you honor your true self.
It offers you tools that you can easily add to your life to see immediate results, as it works with your unique needs. But Ayurveda fundamentally takes you on a longer-term journey of ongoing discovery to connect you with nature and your true self.