The holistic health science of Ayurveda has superb resources available to help meet the current global health challenges we are all undergoing. These are not so much the excellent herbal medicinal formulas, although they have been shown to reduce or nullify many dangerous symptomologies associated with a host of conditions. The fundamental principles of health recommended by Ayurveda, when applied consistently actually help to strengthen the body’s capacity to resist disease, By enhancing natural mechanisms that increase our internal potency we can potentially develop greater protection against contracting virtually any ailment while also minimizing the short and long-term adverse effects often associated with both communicable and metabolic degenerative disease. Ayurvedic health principles focus on risk management through controlling the internal environment inside the body while also emphasizing relevant lifestyle choices.

One of Ayurveda’s principle aims is to increase virya, or life potency. Virya or internal strength in not simply a biological function of the immune system but is far reaching in it’s understanding and scope. The fundamental cause for diminishing our strength is what is called prajnaparadha, the source of all disease and unwellness. This means essentially vitiated intelligence- the incorrect perception of our essential nature and misinterpreted relationship to the world around us. “The most serious mistake of the intelligence is its self-identification with parts of knowledge, with individual objects, and not with unlimited integrity, which is its true nature. In other words, we tend to identify with limitations, but not with an unlimited potential.” While this view may seem obscure and even irrelevant, or “how does not knowing my essential nature have anything to do with robust health?” In terms of disease management, it is quintessential. From this basic miscalculation subsequent maladjustments ensue leading to a long litany of errors that have serious repercussions on our wellbeing. Ayurveda identifies six levels of progressive breakdown from radiant wellness to pathological disease with each successive stage further reducing vitality and generating weakness and disorder.

The trail of unwellness leads from fundamental ignorance of our true nature to misinterpreting and contravening laws of Nature, to ignoring our body’s own signals of distress and unwellness, long before they can be ascertained through a bloodtest or MRI. The World Health Organization has identified the that the six leading causes of death are associated with stress, and that stress affects over fifty percent of the entire global population. Being out of sync with ourselves and Nature produces anxiety, discontent and discord. This painful mental state disrupts the mind’s inherent condition of lucidity, joyfulness and contentment. With the loss of sattva or harmonious engagement with life. The mind loses its ability of discernment and bad choices follow generating imbalance that disturbs the body’s natural impetus towards homeostasis. This maladjustment to external forces is called asatmya indriyadha samyog or ‘misuse of the senses.’ Our lifestyle ‘choices’ often become cravings- for foods, sense objects and activities that can devolve into psychological and physical addictions. Such maladaptions seriously disturb and disrupt natural wellness pathways by producing not easily removed toxic substances that further impede the body’s healing capacities. Parinama or ‘influence of elements on the body’ is the third component of breakdown in the body that poisons and further weakens, disrupting the dosha or natural constitution which is our platform for inner and outer health.

Anyone can practice Ayurvedic health principles to improve their current state of health regardless of the external symptoms of an ailment. With Ayurvedic principles we begin work from the inside out, by developing discernment, balancing the mind, bringing peace to the heart, removing harmful substances lodged in the body, nourishing ourselves with foods that provide deep healing both at cellular level but also subtly, increasing vitality by reducing discord and fear. We can gain so much guidance by studying a little bit, but better to work with a skilled practitioner who will glean and understand the most appropriate and efficacious practices to undertake. The beauty of Ayurveda is that it truly empowers us to gain understanding, strength and ability to generate a good life, for yourself and loved ones. Why wait or procrastinate? Start now…

“According to Ayurvedic Principles, by understanding one’s self, by identifying one’s own constitution, and by identifying sources of doshic aggravation, one can not only follow proper guidelines to cleanse, purify and prevent disease but also uplift oneself into a realm of awareness previously unknown ”

— Vasant Lad

Would you like to learn more about Ayurveda?

APPLIED AYURVEDA Course

**Finalising enrolments NOW!!**
**Group Training 21st + 22nd February, 14th March**
The Applied Ayurveda 70-hour certificate training is an informative and practical training providing participants with the knowledge and practices to restore and maintain prakriti (constitutional nature) balance through all seasons, stages and change.