AYURVEDA PRACTITIONERS
What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONERS
Ayurveda is a 4,000 year-old Indian method of healing that includes diet, natural therapies and herbs prescribed according to body type. The word "ayurveda" is made up of two roots: ayur meaning “life “and veda meaning “knowledge.” All aspects of health, including physical, mental, and spiritual, are emphasized and practitioners endeavor to facilitate an individual’s intrinsic wellbeing.
In India, ayurveda is practiced as primary care medicine. In the West, ayurveda can be used alone or in conjunction with allopathic (western) medicine. Ayurvedic practices rely partially on the use of herbal compounds that have been utilized by clinicians, now being validated by researchers. Also included can be the use of complementary techniques such as meditation, relaxation exercises, massage, dietary improvements, yoga, breathing techniques, and more.
What is it used for?
CONDITIONS AYURVEDA MAY BE HELPFUL FOR
Using natural, noninvasive modalities, practitioners treat all manner of chronic and acute disorders and advise on maintaining balance and wellness.
Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF AYURVEDA
Ayurvedic medicine is native to the Indian subcontinent and is used daily by people in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It has been a large influence on Unani, the ancient Greek system of medicine, and on Chinese and Tibetan medicine. The eight branches of classic ayurvedic medicine practiced in India today are:
- Internal medicine
- Surgery
- Ears, eyes, nose and throat
- Pediatrics
- Toxicology
- Purification of the genetic organs
- Health and Longevity
- Spiritual Healing/Psychiatry
There is no documentation reflecting the exact timing of the origins of the ayurvedic practice. However, the Hindu religion holds that ayurvedic medicine began with Lord Brahma and various gods, passed as divine knowledge and realized by ancient sages. This knowledge is traditionally thought to have entered the human sphere by a complex system of mnemonics passed from guru to student over many years of study. Evidence of ayurveda first appeared during Vedic times (second and first millennium B.C.E), compiled as a text by an ancient Indian sage named Agnivesha in a book "Agnivesh tantra."
This text was edited by Charaka and given the title of “Charaka Samhita”, meaning Charaka’s encyclopedia. The surgeon Sushruta wrote his own text, which contained a list of over 1000 ailments, 700 plants with medicinal purposes, and numerous concoctions made from both herbal and animal sources. The Hindu sacred tome “Atharvaveda” contains lines concerning Ayurvedic practices, indicating that such knowledge is quite ancient. They have changed over time and some are improvements over prior practices, such as the advances made during the Buddhist period or "Golden Age of Ayurveda" in India, 800 - 1000 B.C.
During the time of British colonialism the citizens of India continued to utilize ayurveda as the ‘’’science of life”, even though western medical procedures became more popular as British rule flourished. As ayurvedic practices were increasingly pushed aside by British medical practices and hospitals several of the schools declined markedly. However, the 1970s brought about a renaissance in the practice of ayurvedic medicine, and today numerous clinics and practitioners abound in India. As science and research has shown these techniques to be of clearly demonstrated value the use of ayurvedic medicine has increased throughout the world.
Awareness of ayurvedic medicine swept into the United States in the 1970s as the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Organization of Transcendental Meditation promoted its value. Interest grew as Indian physicians came to the U.S. in the 1980's, including Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Sunil Joshi and Dr. B.D. Triguna. In the late '80s Dr. Deepak Chopra raised Western awareness of ayurveda with his book "Perfect Health." Dr. David Frawley of the American Institute For Vedic Studies and Dr. Robert Svoboda, who completed India's Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) program also helped attract attention to ayurveda and influence its growth in the States.
What is it based on?
THEORY OF AYURVEDA
In the ayurvedic view, human beings are considered a microcosm of nature. When all systems are properly balanced, health is maintained.
According to ayurvedic philosophy, every human being was created by the cosmos as male energy, Purusha, or female energy, Prakruti. Purusha is pure consciousness associated with the "true self," while Prakruti is related to the senses and intellectual facilities of the material world. Structurally, the human body is composed of five basic elements: space (ether), air, water, fire and earth. There are also three body types, or doshas, that heavily influence the activities, behaviors, and physical processes of an individual. The doshas are similar to Western medicine categories of ectomorph (thin), mesomorph (muscular), or rounder (endomorph).
The Vata Body Type:
Individuals with the vata body type are known for their energetic unpredictability in their thoughts, moods, and behaviors. They are frequently high active engaged individuals constantly seeking new activities, but can experience disordered sleeping and other difficulties. Most vatas are thin, moody, exuberant, and rambunctious. They may suffer from psychological disorders, including anxiety, nervous disorders, phobias. Vata is associated with the elements of ether and air combined together.
The Pitta Body Type:
This metabolic type is more predictable when compared to the vata type. Those with dominant pitta body types tend to be characterized by their stability and strength. They are intelligent and humorous but may be overly negative toward others. They can possess little patience, a short temper, and may erupt from time to time. Pitta is associated with the elements of water and fire.
The Kapha Body Type:
Individuals with a dominant kapha body type are more placid, serene, and relaxed. Less active than the other types, then tend to store excess fat and struggle with a slower metabolism. They tend to be slow and methodical at things they do, contrary to vatas who are always on the run. Nothing in their lives is done hastily and they are known for taking their time and moving sedately in all activities. Kapha is associated with the elements of water and earth.
Each individual has one dominant metabolic body type (dosha). Most people are a mixture of dosha characteristics (such as vata-pitta). Practitioners base treatments on the constitution, or dosha profile, of the patient,
How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION WITH AN AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER IS LIKE
Because Ayurvedic practitioners are relatively rare in the U.S., many travel to hold in-person consultations and treatments at holistic health centers or clinics in different cities or offer online consultations as well as maintain offices.
Prior to the first consultation, the client fills out a health history form, possibly including related medical forms provided by other practitioners. Much of the consultation is spent going over the client’s past health history and life story so the practitioner has a good picture of the client, and their constitution and health status according to ayurveda. Some clients consulting by phone are asked to send a photograph.
Some practitioners may ask a client to keep a regular log of wellbeing and symptoms between appointments. This can help to reflect the client’s health gains or reveals that different treatments that should be explored.
Who does it?
AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONERS
Ayurvedic practitioners often study in India where a variety of undergraduate and graduate educational programs are offered. Training typically consists of several years and results in either a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) or a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (DAMS) degree.
Ayurvedic practitioners can be trained in the United States but there are no official standards in place for Ayurvedic training centers. Schooling ranges from correspondence programs to onsite training programs which have attained state certification. Practitioners in the United States typically provide only alternative or complementary treatments unless they have also been licensed by their states to practice medicine.