Ayurveda is one of the oldest Indian medical sciences rich in immense knowledge and wisdom. Ayurveda as a science brings in a holistic dimension towards health. Ayurveda highlights on the principles for a healthy living, not only towards health but as to how to lead a meaningful existence.
Ayurveda deems that the universe is made up of five elements (pancha maha bhutas) and every action and function in our body is governed by tridosha principles which are nothing but vata, pitta, and kapha. From the time we wake up and till the time we retire to bed, ayurveda guides us with dos and don’ts. These guidelines help us to understand about our own selves and lead a holistic life. Such a holistic life helps us to stay healthy physically, mentally and spiritually.
At Ojas, ayurvedic principles are highly taken into consideration for blending with other healing sessions. Right from the prakriti analysis (body constitution) till the yoga, pranayama, kriya, mantra chanting, meditation and diet, prakriti is taken into consideration. Ayurvedic lifestyle guidance and ayurvedic psychology is the most important aspect in treating the disorders.
Ayurveda not only touches the physical aspects but penetrates the mental aspects and helps in intellectual and spiritual growth.
Some of the fundamentals which ojas focuses in ayurveda:
The Panchamahabhutas
According to Ayurveda everything in life is composed of the Panchamahabhutas – Akash (Space), Vayu (Air), Jal (Water), Agni (Fire) and Prithvi (Earth).
akash (space) corresponds to spaces within the body , vayu (air) denotes the movement ; agni (fire) controls the digestive system, metabolism; jal (water) regulates all body fluids , saliva, digestive juices; and prithvi (earth) apparent itself in the solid structure of the body (bones, teeth, flesh, hair etc.,).
Panchmahabhutas governs every function in our body and thus in a disorder becomes the foundation for diagnosis and treatment modalities in Ayurveda.
Tridoshas
Tridoshas denotes three and doshas being the basic physical energies/humors. They are the main and vital factors of the human body that govern our entire physical composition and function. They are the combination of any two of the five bhutas (five elements) with the predominance of one. Called Vata, Pitta and Kapha in Sanskrit, these three are in charge for all the physiological and psychological processes within the body and mind – dynamic forces that determine growth and decay. Every physical characteristic, mental capacity and the emotional predisposition of a human being can therefore be elucidated in terms of the tridoshas.
In a state of balance or equilibrium, the ojas, tejas, balam and indriyas are in prefect sync. When thrown out of balance, the doshas demonstrate the imbalance through explicit symptoms related to their functions.
These three doshas co-exist in all living organisms
Prakriti and vikriti
The dominance of one dosha in a person determines the individual’s primary constitution and second most dominance becomes the secondary constitution. This is commonly referred to as body type or prakriti.
When these doshas are thrown out of balance then the condition is termed as vikriti.
Psychological aspects of the doshas
Depending on the dosha’s nature, the psychological characters in a person is been exhibited. For example a pitta prakriti individual would easily get irritated in an argument if provoked, thus exhibiting the nature of the fire element (fire element can be destructive if used wrongly). Similarly each of the dosha exhibits its own nature on the psychological aspects. So in vitiation or an imbalance, a pitta person would exhibit hot expressions with strong body language like blood shod eyes and face. But to pacify this fire element, property of water element like coolness and compassion need to be introduced.
TRIGUNA
Three principles (GUNAS) namely Sattva, Rajas & Tamas, intertwine to create the five elements - space, air, fire, water and earth giving birth to the creation of every single life in universe..
Tamas influences inertia in our body,
Rajas influence the psychic plane of existence,
The third principle sattva functions through our existential states of awareness.
The psychological aspects of the individual are governed by the dosha dominance and trigunas are exhibited accordingly. Tamas closely related with the kapha, rajas related with vata and sattva related with pitta respectively.
Taking all these philosophies into consideration if treatment is designed then the resultant outcome is a balanced state of body and mind.
