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Ayurveda was revealed
to the sages of India thousands of years ago. Ayurveda
is the science of life or science of longevity,
which promises better health, prevents diseases
and helps in achieving a long life. According to
Ayurveda, all activities in the universe and in
man are grouped into three basic functions - creation,
organization and destruction.
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According to Ayurveda,
the right balance of the three subtle energies, called
Vata, Pitta and Kapha, is what maintains health. The biological
air humour, Vata is responsible for all the movements
in the body. The biological water humour or Kapha is responsible
for strength and immunity while the biological fire humour
or Pitta is responsible for digestion and metabolism.
Vata :
Ether and air combine to form the biological humour, Vata,
which is responsible for controlling destruction. The
different sub-types of Vata are Prana ( life energy) -
its main function is respiration and control of all sense
organs; Udana ( upward movement from naval-diaphragm)
- it helps the process of speech and memory; Vyana -this
is responsible for the circulation of blood and nutrients
obtained from food to all the cells of the body; Samana
(balance) - it brings all the digestive juices from the
tissues into the hollow organs for digestion and metabolism
and Apana (downward moving energy) - it is responsible
for the action of all pelvic organs.
Pitta :
Pitta or Fire, the thermogenic humour, organizes body
activities after transformation. The various sub-types
of Pitta are Pachaka (the main site is the stomach and
it helps in digestion); Ranjaka (its main site is liver
and it is responsible for secondary or tissue digestion);
Sadhaka (resides in the heart and brain and is responsible
for the digestion of knowledge and the preservation of
our cognitive memories); Alocchaka( It is in the eye and
enables proper vision); and Bharahaka (in the skin and
responsible for digestion and absorption of all oil massages.
Kapha :
Water and earth combine to form the biological humour
Kapha, which is responsible for maintaining creation.
The five sub-types of Kapha are Kledaka (resides in the
stomach and protects the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal
tract from the hot and irritant fluids of pitta secretions);
Avalambaka (it is in the heart, lung apparatus and vertebral
column and protects them from wear and tear); Bodhaka
(is in the mouth and protects the mucous membrane and
the tongue to give proper taste to food); Tarpaka (in
the spinal chord; it protects the spinal chord and is
also responsible for mental peace); and Shleshaka (in
the joints; it prevents wear and tear of the joints during
movements).
As long as these energies are in equilibrium, the health
of the body is maintained. The purpose of Ayurveda and
Panchakarma (a treatment method in Ayurveda) is to bring
these forces into harmony so that they promote physical,
emotional and spiritual growth in every living being.
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