Awareness is the first step to change, and then it’s all about practice. Learn how to use all the Ayurveda best practices at A Web of Wellness.
What is Ayurveda used for?
It can be a life-changing experience. You will learn how to take care of yourself in this lifetime! Ayurveda has been around since ancient times, more than 5,000 years ago. These are remedies that our ancestors used to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider using ayurvedic remedies:
1) They work very effectively on your body. Your entire being benefits from them. No other treatment works like they do.
2) There aren’t any side effects or harmful consequences that come with taking these kinds of treatments. Plus, there are no known adverse reactions associated with their use.
3) Many people report having experienced relief from certain conditions after trying out ayurvedic remedies.
4) The ingredients are natural, so if you have allergies, you won't need to worry about experiencing allergic symptoms when you try one of these products.
5) These types of medicines help balance the mind/body system. So many health problems stem from stress, which affects both the mind and the physical well-being of the individual. By balancing your mind, you also improve your overall wellness. And you don’t even realize it until you stop using them...
6) When you're sick, you feel better right away when you get relief from pain and discomfort. With Ayurveda, you'll experience increased energy levels, too.
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What are Ayurvedic Best Practices?
The word ‘best’ has many different meanings depending on context. In this case we use it in its most general sense as something that is considered to be superior or better than other options available; often used when talking about medicine. It can also mean what works well with respect to one situation but not another. For example: “I have no money so I will buy these shoes because they work well for me.” Or you might say: “These shoes don’t fit my feet very well, therefore they aren’t good choices.” So when applied to Ayurveda, if your mind says: “This isn’t working for me,” that means there is room for improvement! If you feel like you need more time before making any changes, that may just be an indication of how much progress you want to make. But please know that even though it takes longer to get results, once you do see them, they become permanent!
How does Ayurveda help people achieve their goals?
If you look at a typical Western diet, you’ll find plenty of processed foods, refined sugars, artificial colors/flavors, additives, preservatives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, etc. These things create imbalances within our body systems causing us stress, inflammation, disease, and pain. When we eat food without awareness – without understanding why we should choose certain ingredients over others, or where those ingredients come from, or whether they were grown using harmful chemicals or genetically engineered crops – we are eating out of habit. We are unaware of how our bodies react to various foods, which makes it hard for us to notice patterns and understand cause-and-effect relationships between nutrition and health. As a result, we end up feeling tired, sick, stressed, anxious, angry, depressed, bloated, constipated, or some combination thereof. This happens every day, year after year, decade after decade, until eventually we realize we are living a life that doesn’t align with who we really are. Our lives begin to suffer due to lack of balance and harmony in our physiology.
When we start practicing Ayurveda properly, we learn how to eat consciously and deliberately.
Daily routines for Ayurveda to help with exercise
In order to truly live according to Ayurveda principles, we must go beyond simply learning theory and applying some basic guidelines. Instead, we must adopt a lifestyle based upon the ancient science of Ayurveda. While we cannot expect everyone to follow everything outlined here exactly, we hope that by sharing these ideas, we can inspire you to think differently about healthy living. And remember – nothing matters more than having fun while doing it!
Exercise
While there are countless ways to move our muscles, what actually counts is finding activities that allow us to burn calories while simultaneously providing cardiovascular benefits. A regular yoga routine is ideal because it helps increase flexibility and strength, improves posture, balances energy throughout the entire system, strengthens lungs and immune system defenses against illness, and creates a calm environment for meditation.* There are also many forms of physical activity such as swimming, cycling, hiking, running, weightlifting, dancing, martial arts, tennis, basketball, squash, rowing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, and competitive sports. Find whatever fits into your schedule and enjoy!
Dietary Choices
It goes without saying that we are what we eat. To thrive, we must nourish ourselves with wholesome, natural foods. However, sometimes we unknowingly ingest substances that interfere with digestion and absorption and lead to poor quality nutrients being assimilated. Other times our diets consist solely of junk food and fast food with little nutritional value.
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Conventional medicines for Ayurveda routines
The power of herbs
If you have been following my blog posts on conventional medicine for Ayurveda schedules, then you know I am not opposed to its use. In fact, I believe it has great potential when used correctly. But if taken incorrectly, or if we don’t have an understanding of their actions within our own systems, then these drugs may be harming rather than healing. For example, antibiotics are powerful medications but only work effectively if given at the right time and amount. If administered too late or too much, they will do harm instead of good.
With traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture points are identified so practitioners can insert needles to stimulate specific areas of the body to promote better function. When done correctly and safely, this practice can bring significant relief. Yet, like any other medication, there are risks involved. Some people become allergic to them; others develop infections from the skin punctures caused by inserting the needle; still others experience adverse reactions resulting from toxins released during treatment. So yes, conventional treatments serve a purpose, but ultimately, they are no substitute for sound holistic care.
The same principle applies to herbal remedies. Herbs contain active compounds called phytochemicals that interact directly with our cells to produce beneficial effects. They can aid in treating conditions ranging from minor ailments to severe diseases. Many herbs have antioxidant properties that protect cell membranes and DNA from damage.
Others improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, strengthen immunity, balance hormones, boost metabolism, enhance mental clarity, relieve pain, aid sleep, cleanse the liver, detoxify the kidneys, heal wounds, and more. These benefits help us feel healthier overall — physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially.
Like all medicine, however, some herbs may cause side-effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, abdominal cramps, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, heartburn, constipation, dry mouth, increased urination, blurred vision, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, rashes, allergies, bruising, bleeding gums, excessive thirst, and high levels of cholesterol.
A healthy diet is important before taking herbs, just as it is with pharmaceuticals, since certain dietary components affect how well drugs act in the body. And while most herbs have few interactions with one another, synergistic combinations may create “super ingredients” that work together to achieve greater results.
The key point here is that herbs should never replace conventional medical care, nor should they ever be considered a primary source of health maintenance. Instead, they provide complementary support where needed.
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil - Sesame oil is widely used in Indian cooking due to its flavor and versatility. It contains vitamins E and C, plus minerals magnesium and calcium which give it anti-inflammatory qualities.
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What is it about Ayurveda that's so timeless?
In fact, when combined with other therapies such as yoga or meditation, these modalities offer an additional layer of benefit. As you'll see later on, I've included two guided meditations at the end of each chapter, along with sections devoted to yoga poses, breathing exercises, and a short list of recommended books for further study. But if you're not into self-help techniques, don't worry: There are plenty of reasons why we need to keep up our physical fitness regimens throughout life, regardless of age. Here are just three...
For example, weight training builds lean muscle tissue that helps burn calories faster than fat stores do. Even though your muscles aren't particularly dense, they require energy to grow and repair themselves. Your bones also rely heavily on protein synthesis for growth and strength. Exercise stimulates the release of cortisol, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, adrenaline and testosterone, among many other chemicals, helping to regulate mood swings and emotions. Regular exercise reduces stress levels, relieving depression and boosting confidence. And finally, regular aerobic activity improves cardiovascular health, lowering risk factors associated with heart attack and stroke.
As mentioned earlier, the idea behind the Pritikin Longevity Center Program was to establish a program to prevent coronary artery disease through lifestyle changes rather than using medications alone.
External Links
Here are some resources for you to fact check as you learn how to use Ayurvedic best practices for your best vitality and balance:
