The Ultimate Ayurvedic Diet: Discover How Yoga Embraces Its Sister Science Ayurveda

Ayurveda is more than another massage technique; it is a multi-disciplinary approach to living using both curative and preventative measures. As the sister science of yoga, it combines, diet, nutrition, exercise, herbology, philosophy, spirituality, psychology in an inspiring approach to optimum wellbeing.

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word meaning the 'Science of Life' with its roots in the ancient scriptures of the Vedas; this science is dates back to over 5000 years. True balance is only possible when we take a holistic approach to the individual and take into account the physical, mental, emotional and environmental factors and treat the root cause of any illness.

The key focus of Ayurveda is to assess and rebalance the doshas back in harmony with our natural constitution. Each person has a unique make-up of the tri-doshas (our bodily humours), Vata (ether + air), Pitta (fire + water) and Kapha (water + earth), which work together to maintain regular physical and mental functions, when in balance they sustain a healthy life. However when one or more dosha is imbalanced, caused by various factors such as weather change, unhealthy diet, inappropriate lifestyle and emotional disturbances it gives rise to various health conditions. This could be anything from disturbed sleep, allergies and irritable bowels to diabetes, arthritis and obesity.

Heard of the term 'you are what you eat'? A fundamental concept in Ayurveda addresses what and how we 'digest'. Agni is the fire within our body, primarily our digestive fire (jathara-agni). In a healthy state, agni allows for good digestion, assimilation, elimination, circulation, nourishment, healthy tissue formation, good complexion, strong immunity and intelligence. However, when agni is weak, toxic material (ama) starts to accumulate and lodges itself where there is a weakness in the body, again giving rise to various ailments.

Ayurvedic therapy starts with a full health assessment followed by customised detoxification and rejuvenation programmes using herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, and meditative interventions to restore each persons dynamic state of balance.