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Ayurveda’ is the world’s oldest holistic healthcare system. Ayurveda’s timeless wisdom offers us a ‘Users Manual’ for how to get the most out of life. It offers a simple approach, without being simplistic.

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The Ayurvedic toolbox covers diet, natural remedies, lifestyle practices, rejuvenation and detoxification processes, hands-on therapies, as well as meditation and the principles of ‘wise’ living in order to have healthy minds and bodies. But be warned… there are no ‘quick fixes’ as Ayurveda is a way of life rather than a short-term intervention. There are also not many ‘one size fits all’ solutions- it takes a little time to discover your type and discover the art of living in harmony with nature- and….

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  • How to determine your dosha (psychosomatic) constitution

  • How to follow tailored diet and lifestyle advice to stay balanced.

  • Daily and seasonal advice on keeping the doshas balance.

  • An understanding of the real root cause of disease and how to avoid them.

  • Preventative advice on diseases you might be especially prone to.

  • The importance of a healthy digestive system and how to maintain it.

  • What type of Yoga is best for you (eg: Bikram Yoga is too heating for Pitta types)

  • How to adapt to changing circumstances, such as conception, pregnancy or growing older.

  • Advice on how to rejuvenate the body and mind post illness.

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The 18 minute clip above is worth watching before a consultation with me.  

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“Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, each person has a particular pattern of energy- an individual combination of physical, mental and emotional characteristics- which comprises their own constitution.”

(Dr Vasant Lad, The Ayurveda Institute)

The 3 doshas (psychosomatic constitution)

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A person is said to have a particular ‘dosha’ depending on the predominance of the 5 basic elements in his body. We all have (and need) the doshic qualities of vata, pitta and kapha though one or two are dominant... Why not try out our dosha quiz?

Blue Skies

Vata (predominant in space & air)

This is energy of movement- dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, and clear.

People with a predominance of Vata dosha have quick, creative minds but often forget equally fast. They talk  and walk fast but are easily fatigued as they are not very good at holding on to their energy. They may have less willpower, confidence and tolerance and may feel ungrounded. Physically, they tend to be lightweight, with narrow bones, dry skin, and often feel cold. Unbalanced, they are prone to anxiety, diseases of the large intestine (main seat of vata), immune system, nervous system, joints, constipation, anxiety, colitis, arthritis, irregular periods, and CFS/ME. 

Camp Fire

Pitta (predominant in fire & water)

This is the energy of digestion and metabolism which is hot, oily, light, mobile, dispersing, liquid, penetrating, sharp and agitating. People with a predominance of Pitta dosha have penetrating ideas and sharp intelligence. Physically, they have warm bodies of moderate weight, with good muscle tone, and they sweat easily. One way to spot a Pitta predominance is premature greying and hair loss (excess heat in the head region). Out of balance they become agitated and short tempered, prone to heated emotions, and diseases of the small intestine, liver, spleen, thyroid, eyes, blood, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, and skin problems.

Water

Kapha (predominant in earth & water)

This is the energy of lubrication and structure which is oily, sticky, cold, heavy, coarse, stable, motionless, smooth and white.

Kapha types are blessed with strength, endurance and stamina. They are calm, tolerant and forgiving. They may be slower to learn but have excellent long term memory. They may be prone to weight gain as they have slower metabolisms, and a tendency not to exercise enough. Unbalanced (eg: due to excess weight loss) they are prone to greed, envy, melancholy, lethargy, depression, diseases of the stomach, lungs, pancreas and sinuses, diabetes, water retention, nausea, and mucous conditions.

Charaka, one of the three great sages of Ayurveda, states the scope of Ayurveda in his text Charaka Samhita   
 
"Ayurveda describes the wholesome v. unwholesome and happy v. unhappy life and its measures." (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana 1/41)
 
Life (Ayu) is the combination of body, senses, mind and reincarnating soul. Ayurveda is the most sacred science of life, beneficial to humans both in this world and the world beyond." (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana 1/42-44 )

How healthy are you feeling currently?

Ayurveda defines good health as being able to tick off the following:

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  • Healthy appetite and balanced desire for food, without​ extreme cravings​ 

  • An appreciation of the flavour of food and feeling satisfied​ after eating​ 

  • Good digestion without any signs of discomfort, belching, ​flatulence or rumbling​ 

  • A clear voice​ 

  • Being free from any pain or discomfort​ 

  • Proper functioning of the senses: effective and efficient​ hearing, feeling, seeing, tasting and smelling​ 

  • A clear complexion​ 

  • Regular elimination of wastes 

  • The appropriate length and quality of sleep​ 

  • Waking up and feeling positive​ 

  • Constant energy with good stamina and ability to exercise​ 

  • Enthusiasm for life​ 

  • Youthfulness and slow ageing​ 

  • Balanced emotions: neither too happy​ with success nor too sad in a time of difficulty​ 

  • Being regularly compassionate, peaceful,​ loving, generous and calm (Charaka Samhita Vimana Sthana 3/24 & Sutra Sthana 30/24 )​ 

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Why not have a think about how many of these you can tick off now, and when you have felt really happy and healthy in your life?

Festival of Color
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