Yoga and Ayurveda: Practiced Together

Yoga and Ayurveda can be considered as two individual sciences, with solid foundations yet so beautifully entwined together complementing one another since ancient times with the sheer motive of healing one’s body, mind and consciousness opening a better portal to a safer and happier life. Generally speaking, Ayurveda deals more with the health of the body, while yoga deals with purifying the mind and consciousness, but in reality, they complement and embrace each other. Both Yoga and Ayurveda are mutually supportive and offer many ways to prevent and heal various disorders as well as to cleanse and rejuvenate the body. In this modern age of diminishing morale and general health standards, the concept of Yoga holds remarkable importance. Beyond the scope of any diligent uncertainties, Ayurveda one of the oldest systems of medicine, continues to cure man of his physical as well as mental perversions for centuries. "The three—body, mind and soul—are like a tripod, the world stand by their combination; in them everything abides. It is the subject matter of Ayurveda for which the teachings of Ayurveda have been revealed." Yoga, the word is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj” which means to join, to control, to unite, etc. In a broader perspective, the word emphasize on the conjunction of the dual aspects of Raja yoga, which is nothing but the contemplation of the entirely distinct prakruti (nature) and purusha (pure consciousness). Here again, it is interesting to observe that the term prakruti s composed of the three Gunas, namely Sattwa (presentation), Rajas (creation and Tamas (destruction), the very three attributes mentioned in Ayurveda.It is this science that teaches the method of uniting the individual soul with the supreme soul. Sattwa encompasses the qualities of goodness, light and harmony. Thus the people who are Sattwic in nature are on the way to reach liberation. Rajas mainly deal with the concepts of energy, activity, ambition and passion which when utilized properly can lead to the finding of the evolution of the soul and vice versa. Tamas, the third guna involves the lesser virtues like inertia, darkness and insensitivity. Tamasic souls are thus, the persons who take the longest time to reach liberation. Ayurveda is one among the most eminent holistic medical systems of the world. It is concerned with the physical, mental, emotional as well as spiritual aspects of human life. In this system, human indispositions are known to be dealt with the healing methods including the use of a wide and exotic collection of medicinal herbs, an extensive variety of mineral drugs, regulated diet, physical exercises, healthy lifestyle, yogic practices, meditation, and so on. Here, we might take into consideration, the fact that Yoga postures themselves do not form a complete healing program and can be taken to be a part of an entire regimen for balancing the body and mind along with the various components of Ayurveda mentioned above. Most people associate Yoga as a physical exercise routine, but t is to be perceived that, beyond the accomplishment of the physical postures (asanas), Yoga presents us with the route to ultimate realization of the self. Health benefits in a peaceful mind and body is quite irrefutable and as a consummation we can associate Ayurveda as the healing side of Yoga where as Yoga is the spiritual side of Ayurveda. Healing ourselves by virtue of both these sciences can be a sojourn which may be slow yet delightful, healing from our true self bringing us to the divine unity of health and spiritual bliss. “ Vinapi bheshajairvyadhi padhyadeva nivarthathe; na thu padhya viheenasya bheshajaanam shathairapi…” One can eliminate the disease just by following an appropriate diet and lifestyle even without the help of medicines but healing is not possible even with proper medicines if one neglects the aspect of food and routine.