Ayurveda is not only holistic healing, it is a way of life and due to the lengthy training there are as yet only a few therapists in the UK. It is the traditional health system of India and literally means ’The Science of Life and Longevity’.
Ayurveda focuses on life energies within us as opposed to specific symptoms. The aim is to balance the body and mind and find health problems before they occur or prevent them from worsening. Different regimes are suggested depending on the constitution of each individual. Ayurveda is a complete medical system that recognises that health manifests itself through the laws of nature. Practitioners seek to heal the disorder of the mind-body complex and restore harmony. The range of treatments is vast and includes diet, herbal medicines and gentle exercise such as massage and yoga. Ayurvedic methods have been credited with providing much and sustained relief to the victims of the 1980’s Bhopal tragedy where other treatments that purely address the symptoms have failed.
In the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, the mind and body are characterised by three gunas or primary qualities which are sattva (calmness, clarity and purity), rajas (energy and passion), and tamas (dullness and ignorance). These qualities can be applied to all aspects of life including work, the environment and food. The aim is to live a simple life close to nature (sattvic), to reduce rajasic tendencies (overindulgence, too much stimulation) and to avoid tamasic practices (harming others, hatred, sloth and greed). Tamasic foods are those that involve violence towards animals and are thought to trigger lust, anger and other negative feelings. Rajasic foods are more about vivid flavours, overindulgence and enjoyment, including fatty foods that are not easily digestible. Sattvic foods are those prepared with ingredients causing the least amount of violence and are believed to awaken morality, compassion, bliss and spirituality. These would include grains, lentils, fruits and some vegetables.