Ayurveda
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda vs. Maharishi Ayurveda
Differences & History
Ayurveda – literally science (veda) of life (ayus) – is the oldest and most proven system of natural health sciences, arising from the ancient Indian Vedic tradition. This is a wisdom that dates back more than five thousand years, when the knowledge of Ayurveda was first documented. The oral tradition goes back even further.
In the 1980s, the Indian sage Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in collaboration with India’s leading contemporary Ayurvedic scholars (Vaidyas) and Western medical experts, and with the help of modern technology, restored contemporary Indian Ayurveda to its original purity, as established thousands of years ago by the great seers of the Vedic civilization. The result is known as Maharishi Ayurveda.
Doshas and Their Relation to Health
Ayurveda vs. Maharishi Ayurveda
The connection
The secret to good health is balance and this is the premise of Maharishi Ayurveda. If there is a good balance between body and mind and they function in harmony with the environment, then the person is ‘whole’, happy and healthy.
Every person has their own state of balance, which is determined by an interplay of a number of basic principles, the so-called doshas. This balance is constantly influenced by our thoughts and actions, by our emotions and experiences, by influences from our environment. If our balance is disturbed we can become ill. Ayurveda has various therapies to restore or maintain this balance. But the emphasis is on prevention, because prevention is better than cure.
Ayurveda describes six phases of the transformation of an imbalance into a disease.
1. “Sanchaya”: Accumulation of the Doshas (imbalances) in their own place
2. “Prakopa”: Worsening of the imbalances
3. “Prasara”: Distribution of the Doshas over the entire body
4. “Sthana Samsraya” Localization in a part of the body and appearance of the first symptoms
5. “Vyakti”: Full manifestation of the disease
6. “Bheda”: The disease becomes chronic, complications appear
Diagnoses
The Ayurveda treatment restores the natural balance in your body and mind. A diagnosis is made prior to treatment. The Ayurveda doctor takes an hour to understand not only the symptoms, but the underlying health disorder itself. The diagnosis made by the Ayurveda doctor has elements of the standard Western diagnosis. However, Ayurveda is more holistic, other elements are added to arrive at a diagnosis. The Ayurveda doctor will ask about your medical history, including existing conditions and genetic details, but also about ‘self-care’, including daily routine and eating habits. In addition, the doctor uses the pulse diagnosis (Nadivigyan in Sanskrit), the best way to determine a person’s constitutional type. This is an age-old traditional method of diagnosis that facilitates the detection and treatment of diseases at the earliest possible stage. For a first impression of this, you can complete this questionnaire at home
Diagnoses
The Ayurveda treatment restores the natural balance in your body and mind. A diagnosis is made prior to treatment. The Ayurveda doctor takes an hour to understand not only the symptoms, but the underlying health disorder itself. The diagnosis made by the Ayurveda doctor has elements of the standard Western diagnosis. However, Ayurveda is more holistic, other elements are added to arrive at a diagnosis. The Ayurveda doctor will ask about your medical history, including existing conditions and genetic details, but also about ‘self-care’, including daily routine and eating habits. In addition, the doctor uses the pulse diagnosis (Nadivigyan in Sanskrit), the best way to determine a person’s constitutional type. This is an age-old traditional method of diagnosis that facilitates the detection and treatment of diseases at the earliest possible stage. For a first impression of this, you can complete this questionnaire at home
The secret to good health
This method helps detect and treat diseases at the earliest possible stage. The heart rate, palpable in the wrist, responds immediately to all small physiological and psychological changes and reflects the functions of your organ system. The Ayurveda doctor can therefore form a very complete picture of your health condition.
Together with the results of conventional medical diagnosis, your Ayurveda doctor will determine the appropriate treatments for your specific health situation. You will receive a questionnaire prior to the consultation. In case of serious illnesses it is advisable to bring your medical reports. If necessary, laboratory tests are requested or referral is made to other healthcare professionals.
Prevention
Prevention in Ayurveda is tailored to the specific body type (dosha). Choices for appropriate nutrition, supplements, exercise, yoga, meditation, daily routine and more are made based on your constitution. What is supportive for one person may be damaging for another. Advice is also tailored to seasons and time of the day. An Ayurveda doctor can advise on this.
Prevention
Prevention in Ayurveda is tailored to the specific body type (dosha). Choices for appropriate nutrition, supplements, exercise, yoga, meditation, daily routine and more are made based on your constitution. What is supportive for one person may be damaging for another. Advice is also tailored to seasons and time of the day. An Ayurveda doctor can advise on this.
The secret to good health
An imbalance that is just developing is also noted in the Ayurvedic diagnosis. By immediately taking measures to balance the dosha, you can prevent health problems. This makes Maharishi Ayurveda a unique system for the prevention of disease.
With individual nutritional advice that you receive from the doctor after an Ayurveda treatment or outpatient diagnosis, you can strengthen your health and well-being with the right nutritional plan. There is also general advice and basic principles in Ayurveda regarding routines, activities and rest, meditation and exercise. In addition, the Ayurveda doctor can provide specific advice tailored to your situation.