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Ayurveda &
Yoga with Centers |
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Ayurveda
is India's traditional, natural system
of medicine that has been practiced
for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda
is a Sanskrit word that literally
translated means "science of
life" or "practices of longevity."
Ayurveda was the system of health
care conceived and developed by the
seers (rishis) and natural scientists
through centuries of observations,
experiments, discussions, and meditations.
For several thousand years their teachings
were passed on orally from teacher
to student; about the fifth to sixth
century BC, elaborately detailed texts
were written in Sanskrit, the ancient
language of India. For many years
Ayurveda flourished and was used by
rich and poor alike in India and Southeast
Asia.
Atharva-Veda,
earliest Indian text (approx. 1500
BC) with much medical information,
one of several Vedas (meaning "knowledge"),
upon which Ayurvedic medical practice
is based on. Ayurvedic manuals were
written by Charaka, Sushruta, and
Vagbhata that give detailed descriptions
of the various practices. Charaka
listed 500 hundred remedies and Sushruta
over 700 vegetable medicines
Ayurveda emphasizes
prevention of disease, rejuvenation
of our body systems, and extension
of life span. The profound premise
and promise of Ayurveda is that through
certain practices, not only can we
prevent heart disease and make our
headaches go away, but we can also
better understand ourselves and the
world around us, live a long healthy
life in balance and harmony, achieve
our fullest potential, and express
our true inner nature on a daily basis.
Ayurveda provides an integrated approach
to preventing and treating illness
through lifestyle interventions and
natural therapies. It is based on
the view that the elements, forces,
and principles that comprise all of
nature - and that holds it together
and make it function - are also seen
in human beings. In Ayurveda, the
mind (or consciousness) and the body
(or physical mass) not only influence
each other - they are each other.
Together they form the mind-body.
The universal consciousness is an
intelligent, aware ocean of energy
that gives rise to the physical world
we perceive through our five senses.
The elements are Akasha, Vayu, Tejas,
Apa and Prithvi.
Ayurvedic philosophy
and practices link us to every aspect
of ourselves and remind us that we
are in union with every aspect of
nature, each other, and the entire
universe.
There can be
no mental health without physical
health, and vice versa. In Ayurveda,
symptoms and diseases that could be
categorized as mental thoughts or
feelings are just as important as
symptoms and diseases of the physical
body. Both are due to imbalances within
a person, and both are treated by
restoring the natural balance mentally
and physically. In Ayurveda your whole
life and lifestyle must be in harmony
before you can enjoy true well being.
Lifestyle interventions are a major
Ayurvedic preventive and therapeutic
approach.
In India, Ayurvedic
practitioners receive state-recognized,
institutionalized training in parallel
to their physician counterparts. The
research base is growing concerning
the physiological effects of meditative
techniques and yoga postures in Indian
medical literature and Western psychological
literature. Published studies have
documented reductions in cardiovascular
disease risk factors, including blood
pressure, cholesterol, and reaction
to stress, in individuals who practice
Ayurvedic methods.
Laboratory and
clinical studies on Ayurvedic herbal
preparations and other therapies have
shown them to have a range of potentially
beneficial effects for preventing
and treating certain cancers, treating
infectious disease, treating diabetes,
promoting health, and treating aging.
Mechanisms underlying these effects
may include free-radical scavenging
effects, immune system modulation,
brain neurotransmitter modulation,
and hormonal effects.
In Ayurvedic
philosophy, the five elements combine
in pairs to form three dynamic forces
or interactions called doshas. Dosha
means "that which changes."
It is a word derived from the root
dus, which is equivalent to the English
prefix 'dys', such as in dysfunction,
dystrophy, etc. In this sense, dosha
can be regarded as a fault, mistake,
error, or a transgression against
the cosmic rhythm. The doshas are
constantly moving in dynamic balance,
one with the others. Doshas are required
for the life to happen. In Ayurveda,
dosha is also known as the governing
principles as every living thing in
nature is characterized by the dosha.
Ayurveda futther says that all diseases
are caused due to three main doshas
caused due to the imbalance of Vata,
Pitta and Kapha. All bodily processes
are believed to be governed by a balance
of the 3 doshas and Ayurveda aims
at maintaining this equilibrium.
The three active doshas are called
Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata is a force
conceptually made up of elements ether
and air. The proportions of ether
and air determine how active Vata
is. The amount of ether (space) affects
the ability of the air to gain momentum.
If unrestricted, as in ocean, air
can gain momentum and become forceful
such as a hurricane.
Vata means "wind, to move, flow,
direct the processes of, or command."
Vata enables the other two doshas
to be expressive. The actions of Vata
are drying, cooling, light, agitating,
and moving.
Pitta is a force created by the dynamic
interplay of water and fire. These
forces represent transformation. They
cannot change into each other, but
they modulate or control each other
and are vitally required for the life
processes to occur. (For example,
too much fire and too little water
will result in the boiling away of
the water. Too much water will result
in the fire being put out.)
Pitta governs digestion, absorption,
assimilation, nutrition, metabolism,
body temperature, skin coloration,
the luster of the eyes, intelligence,
and understanding. Psychologically,
pitta arouses anger, hate, and jealousy.
The small intestine, stomach, sweat
glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin
are the seats of Pitta
Kapha is the conceptual equilibrium
of water and earth. Kapha is structure
and lubrication. One can visualize
the Kapha force as the stirring force
to keep the water and earth from separating.
For example, if we take a pot, fill
it to the half with water and then
add sand to it, the sand will gradually
sink to the bottom of the pot. (It
separates from the water). The only
way to keep the sand in equilibrium
with the water is by stirring the
mixture continuously. The Kapha force
can be visualized as this stirring
force in our body.
Kapha cements the elements in the
body, providing the material for physical
structure. This dosha maintains body
resistance. Water is the main constituent
of kapha, and this bodily water is
responsible physiologically for biological
strength and natural tissue resistance
in the body. Kapha lubricates the
joints; provides moisture to the skin;
helps to heal wounds; fills the spaces
in the body; gives biological strength,
vigor and stability; supports memory
retention; gives energy to the heart
and lungs, and maintains immunity.
Kapha is present in the chest, throat,
head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach,
joints, cytoplasm, plasma, and in
the liquid secretions of the body
such as mucus. Psychologically, kapha
is responsible for the emotions of
attachment, greed, and long-standing
envy. It is also expressed in tendencies
toward calmness, forgiveness, and
love. The chest is the seat of kapha.
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Yoga
Yoga provides one of the best means
of self-improvement and attaining one's
full potential. In the advanced stages
of yoga, super conscious states are
attained which result in a feeling of
bliss, deep peace and the emergence
of psychic powers.
Yoga was developed and perfected over
the centuries by philosophers and mystics
in India. It is basically a method by
which we increase the body's supply
of energy and remove any interference
to the transmission of energy throughout
the body. Yoga has specialized in this
subject for thousands of years, and
streamlined the methods to attain this
aim.
Yoga has been practiced for more
than 5000 years, yoga is one of the
oldest forms of healing therapy. The
amazing results of yoga are now being
studied by scientists all over the
world. Teams of doctors at the various
yogic health centers in India, keep
detailed records of patients treated
with yoga for diabetes, respiratory
ailments, digestive complaints and
obesity. Now it is studied and accepted
across the globe for its many healing
and relaxation effects.
One of the features of yoga, which
can be confusing at first, is that
a variety of forms of yoga are practiced.
Together, they are called yoga. While
these share common elements, some
focus more on postures and breathing
exercises, whereas others have a greater
focus on spirituality. Each emphasizes
a particular path that comprises a
certain set of beliefs, practices,
and rituals. Yoga forms constitute
a ladder of sorts, from the "lowest"
form of Hatha yoga, with its focus
on physical postures and breathing
techniques, to the "highest"
form known as Raja, or "union
by mental mastery."
Yoga's primary emphasis is upon general
well-being. Although yoga has been
shown to be beneficial in a variety
of conditions, it is not considered
a therapy for specific illnesses.
Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic
approach that focuses on teaching
people a new lifestyle, way of thinking,
and way of being in the world. In
the process, however, it is also found
to bring a myriad of healing effects.
By attending to practices for improving,
regaining or retaining general good
health, a person is likely to find
that some of his more specific difficulties
tend to disappear. Many of the healing
effects of yoga is clinically verified.
One of the most important benefits
of yoga is its application in relieving
stress, fatigue, invigoration and
vitality and its anti-aging properties
and its application for relaxation
therapy.
According to yoga philosophy, it's
the flexibility of the spine, not
the number of years, which determines
a person's age. Yoga slows down the
aging process by giving elasticity
to the spine, firming up the skin,
removing tension from the body, strengthening
the abdominal muscles, eliminating
the possibility of a double chin,
improving the tone of flabby arm muscles,
correcting poor posture, preventing
dowager's hump and so on. Yoga lets
you trade in characteristics of old
age for characteristics of youth.
Yoga is dynamite to make you feel
younger with heightened mental prow
ness. Longer life often results from
following yogic ways of health maintenance.
When both external dangers and internal
diseases and habits leading to degeneration
have been removed, one naturally lives
longer.
Centers
of Yoga & Ayurveda in India
India is one of the few countries
of the world that has successfully
preserved and promoted her ancient
heritage and knowledge. And for this,
the country is getting rich dividends
and immense satisfaction today. Present
day India has many centers specializing
in her ancient sciences of Ayurveda
and Yoga. Here is a list of some of
the important centers practicing Ayurveda
and Yoga in the country, which eliminates
the pains and sorrows of millions.
Centers
of Yoga
Vivekananda Kendra : The Kendra was
started in the year 1972 with an aim
to spread the ideals and teachings
of India's great philosopher saint
Swami Vivekananda. The Vivekananda
Kendra has presently 170 branch centers
spread over 18 states of India and
specializing in yoga, meditation and
a host of other activities.
B.K Iyengar Yoga Institute : The
Iyengar Yoga Institute was established
by octogenarian B.K Iyengar some four
decades ago. The Institute is renowned
the world over for the unique yogic
practices taught by B.K Iyengar. The
institute is based in Pune and attracts
students and patients from various
parts of the globe.
Art Of Living Foundation : The AOL
Foundation with activities in 142
countries and headquartered in Bangalore
conducts sessions on yoga and meditation
under the guidance of his holiness
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It has been
accredited even by the United Nations
as one of the largest NGO's of the
world. The patented Sudarshan Kriya
is the most significant innovation
of the foundation.
The Ramakrishna Mission : The Mission
was founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda
to propagate the teachings of Ramakrishna
Paramhansa. Today, the mission has
numerous brances all over the country
where yoga and meditation classes
are regularly organized among other
activities.
Bihar School Of Yoga : Founded by
Paramhamsa Sivananda, the Bihar School
Of Yoga is located in Munger of Bihar
and offers both long term and short
term specialised courses on yogic
sadhana, yogic health management and
yogic stress management. The School
has produced many excellent teachers
on the subject over the years.
Divya Yoga Trust : The Trust headed
by Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj is the
leading light among institutes dedicated
to Yogasanas in Haridwar. The Trust
conducts Yoga camps in different parts
of India which are personally supervised
by Ramdev Ji Maharaj.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Foundation
: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi currently
based in the United States is the
person who gifted transcendental meditation
technique to the world. The Foundation
branches located in various parts
of the country specialize in this
unique form of meditation.
It is worth mentionable that apart
from the institutions mentioned above,
there are also many institutions at
local levels dedicated to teaching
yoga and meditation.
Ayurvedic Centres
Kalpa Siddhi Health & Life Care
: Based in Ahmedabad, this centre
offers a range of Ayurvedic health
remedies that promoses both fast and
safe results. The treatment are provided
both for common ailments as well as
mortally serious health related problems.
The centre has well qualified and
experienced practitioners and required
instruments to deliver the goods.
Gujarat Ayurvedic University : Of
the many universities set up exclusively
for the treatment of Ayurveda in the
country, the Gujarat Ayurvedic University
ranks as one of the best. Apart from
providing the best treatment with
the help of state-of-the-art equipments
and medicines, it also conducts ayurvedic
courses at the highest level and advanced
research on the subject.
Santhitheeram Centre : The centre
is one of the best ayurvedic centres
located in Kerala. It is located in
picturesque environs on the banks
of Vembanad lake and concentrates
on both therapeutic and rejuvenative
Ayurveda. The primary focus is always
on well being; by promoting health
and happiness as a worthwhile goal.
The range of Ayurvedic Panchakarma
Treatment here includes Herbal Oil
Massage, Steam Bath, Slimming Programs,
Stress Management Programs and Beauty
Care Programs.
Ausara Ayurveda : Aurasa is a range
that focusses in alleviating diseases
and wellness through pure nature.
Based in national capital Delhi, Ausara
does not depend on the commonly used
ayurvedic medicines but strives to
present their own holistic products
made from only pure herbs and essential
oils. The preparation is strictly
according to the ancient Ayurvedic
prescriptions. The R&D department
constantly Endeavour's to bring out
new remedies for the benefit of patients.
Indian Alternate Therapy Institute
: One of the prominent Ayurvedic institutes
in Eastern India, the Alternate Therapy
Institute located in Bodhgaya offers
both treatment and courses on the
subject. The Institute offers a range
of tailor made Ayurveda treatment
as well as courses on Ayurveda healing,
aromatherapy, crystal healing, reflexology,
stress management and reiki.
Divya Yoga Trust : The Trust also
runs an Ayurveda hospital in Haridwar
offering a range of treatment for
different diseases. The centre also
deals with serious ailments like Cancer.
Most of the medicines are made of
pure herbs collected from the Himalayas.
The trust is expanding its activities
and also its present infrastructure
to accommodate more patients.
It may be mentioned that Government
has also established many Ayurvedic
Universities and hospitals in different
states to provide treatment on Ayurveda.
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