Ayurveda - the Science of Life

Ayurveda is a traditional healing system originated in India approximately 5,000 years ago. Ayurvedic teachings were composed by the wise men of India, called rishis, into sutras or Sanskrit verses, that were passed down from one generation to another in an oral tradition. Recorded studies of these sutras began appearing around 1,000 B.C.

In Sanskrit, Ayu means "Life" and Veda means "knowledge or science." Ayurveda can be interpreted as the Science of Life. This "Science of Life" is a holistic healing system using diet, herbs, aromatherapy, color therapy, exercise (Yoga), meditation and massage to form a customized blueprint of health for each individual.

One might wonder how a modern term like "holistic" can be applied to a healing system 5,000 years old. Ayurveda contends that everything in life is connected. What we eat, how we spend our leisure time, our careers, our relationships with friends and family, the environment in which we live — all influence our physical and mental well being. We are all different, we all react to the challenges of life differently and yet, the rishis observed certain patterns to be evident. They believe that life is made up of 5 primal elements: air, space, water, fire and earth. These elements, in turn, form the building blocks of Ayurvedic healing, the doshas.