What is Ayurveda

What is the meaning of Ayurveda?

In the Sanskrit language, the oldest language known to man, the word Ayu means life and Veda means to know about. Ayurveda means the “knowledge of life” and Amrita means “the nectar of immortality.” This unique system of healing originated in India thousands of years ago gifted from the rishis, or seers of truth.

What is Life? According to Ayurveda, the definition of Life is the coordination of soul, mind, senses and body within the totality of life. We recognize the person from a deep expression of soul and spirit within a body. As life exists from the five elements of nature, we are but nature herself, and from these five elements were born three doshas: Pitta (fire), Kapha (water) and Vata (air).

“As the rotation of sun, moon and wind hold this vast universe together, it is expressed as the macrocosm of this world. Pitta (sun), Kapha (moon) and Vata (air) hold this body together and is expressed as the microcosm of this body. Together,these outer and inner worlds are seen as one.” Ashtang Hrudaya 2.11