BEEP STORY

they write: dr. Vishnu Prasad, Ayurvedic doctor and holistic lifestyle consultant based on Ayurveda and Manja BJ Žejn, head of Swasthya Holistic Centre

Recently, Ayurveda has gained renewed interest and recognition worldwide for its holistic approach to health and well-being, focusing on natural remedies, nutrition, lifestyle and spiritual well-being. Today, Ayurveda continues to be practiced and promoted as a comprehensive system of medicine that emphasizes balance and harmony between body, mind, and spirit for optimal health and well-being. Ayurveda can be understood most simply as a guide to one's own health or as a manual for the care and maintenance of your body in optimal condition, regardless of age, season, part of the day, or the situation in which we find ourselves at a given moment.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine whose origins can be found in India more than 5,000 years ago. It offers a holistic approach to health and well-being, as it encompasses the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the individual. Ayurveda is based on the belief that the body, mind and spirit or soul are interconnected and that balance between them is the key to holistic well-being and long-term health.

The word "Ayurveda" comes from Sanskrit, where "ayur" means life and "veda" means knowledge or science. Ayurveda focuses on the prevention of disease and the use of natural healing methods to achieve optimal health and harmony in body, mind and spirit.

Ayurveda is about increasing self-awareness, which enables individuals to make informed decisions about their lifestyle, diet and habits.  

Millennia-old knowledge and time-tested methods

The beginnings of Ayurveda are – according to her own testimony – shrouded in myth. The teachings and practices of Ayurveda were initially transmitted only through oral tradition. The transmission of knowledge through many generations of scholars took place from teacher to student, who as apprentices or trainees lived with their teacher and drank knowledge and trained their skills for many years to become Ayurvedic doctors - vaidyas.

The oldest records relating to aspects of spirituality and health, and which teach correct practices, can be found in the oldest Vedas. The Vedas are a collection of ancient texts that have been preserved and transmitted to the present day as codes of collected knowledge. Individual parts of Ayurveda were also written down in later centuries - the most important treatises that are still part of the teaching material at Ayurvedic universities today are Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya.

These texts are considered the foundational texts of Ayurveda and give detailed instructions on various aspects of health and disease, describe diagnoses, methods of treatment, describe prescriptions for medicines and give instructions on a proper lifestyle.

Throughout history, elements of Ayurvedic knowledge spread to other cultures as well - via trade routes, cultural exchanges and conquests. Ayurveda also experienced destruction in its history - for the same reasons - as part of the cultural and intellectual heritage, it was subjected to attempts to suppress and erase it, especially during the various periods of conquest and colonization of the Indian subcontinent.

Nevertheless, Ayurveda has survived and has been preserved as a traditional system of medicine deeply rooted in Indian culture and daily life.

According to Ayurveda, health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or symptoms. In Ayurveda, health is viewed as a dynamic and holistic state associated with balance and harmony of body, mind and spirit.

5 elements and 3 doshas

Ayurveda is based on the concept of Pancha Mahabhutas. The term refers to the five (Pancha) elements that make up the universe and the human body. According to Ayurveda, the entire creation, including our bodies and everything that surrounds us, is made up of these five elements, namely:

• Space (Akasha): Represents emptiness, openness and connection. All further elements are located in the room.
• Air (Vayu): Represents movement, expansion and mobility.
• Fire (Agni or Tejas): Represents heat, transformation and metabolism.
• Water (Jala): Represents fluidity, connection and transformation.
• Earth (Prithvi): Represents stability, solidity and structure.
  

In this case, we must understand the elements as basic building blocks, and each subsequent element is formed from the previous ones.

The elements in specific combinations form three doshas, which can be understood as biological energies that control and direct the functioning of the human body and mind.

The three doshas are:

• Cotton wool: Consisting of the elements of air and space. Cotton wool carries the characteristics of air: it is flexible, light, dry, subtle. It governs the nervous system, controls body movements and is responsible for functions such as breathing, circulation and excretion. It brings activity, dynamism and creativity.
• Pitta: Composed of the elements of fire and water. Pitta is associated with transformation, digestion and metabolism. It governs the digestive system, regulates body temperature and is responsible for functions such as digestion, metabolism and hormonal balance. It brings sharpness, leadership skills, dynamism, intelligence and quick temper.
• Kapha: Consisting of the elements of earth and water. Kapha is associated with stability, nutrition and hydration. It controls the construction of all tissues in the body and ensures structural integrity, ensures the stability of joints and organs, and is responsible for functions such as the immune system, strength and endurance. It brings peace, joy, laziness and gives a good memory.
  

In Ayurveda, the balance of these three doshas is key to maintaining optimal health and well-being. An imbalance in the doshas, however, leads to illness and discomfort. Understanding and balancing the doshas is a key principle of Ayurveda. However, the correct balance of the doshas is specific to each individual, so Ayurveda's holistic approach to maintaining health always includes tailored advice on lifestyle, diet and the use of herbs to restore and maintain the balance of these energies in the body and mind.

Ayurvedic definition of health

According to Ayurveda, health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or symptoms. In Ayurveda, health is viewed as a dynamic and holistic state associated with balance and harmony of body, mind and spirit.

The actual verse (shloka) defining health first appears in writing in the Sushruta Samhita and reads: “sama dosha sama agnishcha samadhatu mala kriyaaha| Prasanna atma mana indriyah swastha iti abhidheeyate ||"

Or in translation: Balanced doshas, balanced (healthy) agni, balanced (healthy) tissues and eliminations; senses, mind and soul in a state of contentment, peace and bliss.

Understanding and balancing the doshas is a key principle of Ayurveda. However, the correct balance of the doshas is specific to each individual, so Ayurveda's holistic approach to maintaining health always includes tailored advice on lifestyle, diet and the use of herbs to restore and maintain the balance of these energies in the body and mind.

In the modern era, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This definition was adopted by the WHO in 1948 and is enshrined in its constitution as the official definition of health. Now this definition is widely accepted and recognized worldwide as a comprehensive definition that goes beyond the mere absence of disease and encompasses the physical, mental and social aspects of health well-being.

The above definition of “Swasthya” or health as handed down to us by the Sushruta Samhita has been a basic principle of Ayurveda for about 5000 years.

Ayurveda emphasizes the concept of Swasthya, which is a Sanskrit term that translates as "being grounded in oneself." Swasthya is considered a natural state of health where an individual experiences a sense of balance, vitality and harmony at all levels of their being. This state of health is achieved when the three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) are in balance and at the same time all the natural functions of the body are optimized.

A holistic and integrative approach adapted to the individual

Ayurveda understands as a basic premise that each individual is unique and has his own constitution called Prakriti, which determines the physical, mental and emotional characteristics of the individual. Therefore, the approach to health in Ayurveda is never a "one-size-fits-all" approach, but Ayurveda offers a personalized approach that takes into account the individual's Prakriti, lifestyle, diet and environment.

In Ayurveda, there is not just one, the only and only correct clinical path, but the method of treatment is always adapted to the individual. The same disease can occur in different individuals for different reasons. One of the advantages of Ayurveda is that it uses extremely accurate diagnostics to determine where the source of the disease is in the body and then treats the disease at the source.

Ayurveda, however, always emphasizes the importance of prevention as the first priority (it is easiest to maintain health when we are healthy!) and maintaining the balance of the doshas through diet, exercise, meditation and other holistic practices. It promotes a proactive approach to health, rather than a reactive approach that focuses only on treating the disease or symptoms.

Any Ayurvedic treatment or the individual clinical path consists of practices and instructions that bring the person as a whole – uniting body, mind and spirit – back to balance. A Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) always advises us on proper nutrition and nutritional supplements, appropriate daily routine and structure of meals, supportive breathing exercises, yoga, mudras and meditations. With the support of Ayurvedic experts, we gradually incorporate supportive, healthy practices into our daily routines and let go of unhealthy patterns.

We must understand that Ayurveda does not bring instant solutions, but it brings lasting positive changes. The path of Ayurveda is a path of lifelong learning and continuous self-optimization. Ayurveda can be understood most simply as a guide to one's own health or as a manual for the care and maintenance of your body in optimal condition, regardless of age, season, part of the day, or the situation in which we find ourselves at a given moment.

Long-term benefits of an Ayurvedic lifestyle

The goal of integrating Ayurvedic practices and teachings into our daily life, which is dominated by a work-oriented attitude, is not only maintaining the balance of the doshas and preventing the occurrence of diseases. This is just the beginning - you could say the hygienic minimum.

Ayurveda is about increasing self-awareness, which enables individuals to make informed decisions about their lifestyle, diet and habits. By understanding our individual needs and integrating practices that support our long-term health and well-being, we improve the quality of our lives. When the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of an individual are in balance, the quality of life increases with increased physical strength, mental clarity, emotional resilience and spiritual connection. This holistic approach to health helps us lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.

The principles of holistic health according to Ayurveda can also significantly contribute to achieving a better balance between business and private life and establishing healthy working environments.

Ayurveda fundamentally emphasizes the importance of personal sustainability. Personal sustainability refers to the holistic well-being of an individual, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. When individuals maintain their personal sustainability, they are better equipped to face challenges, manage stress, and achieve a sense of balance and harmony in their lives. A person who is established within himself (in the state of Swasthya) has a positive effect on his environment as well and can contribute in a better and more significant way to the welfare of the wider society.