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Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic system, based on achieving physical and mental harmony with nature and has been practised for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda quite literally translates as ‘science of life’ (‘Ayu’ meaning life and ‘Veda’ meaning science), and was first recorded in the Vedas, the world’s oldest surviving literature.
Ayurveda sees everything in the universe, including human beings, as composed of five basic elements – space, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements in turn combine with each other to give rise to three bio-physical forces, or doshas, within the human body – vata (air and space), pitta (fire and water) and kapha (water and earth). Together they are known as tridosha.
Ayurveda is used according to a person’s dosha using a system combining diet, herbal remedies, yoga, ayurvedic massage, lifestyle routine and behaviours which may stimulate positive emotions.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that Ayurveda is right for you.