Thursday, August 7, 2008

Ayurveda & Yoga




Ayurveda and Yoga are ancient Indian sciences dating back to the Upanishads, written between 1000-5000 BC. They have been practiced for thousands of years in the land for the healing of body, mind, and consciousness. However, while Ayurveda deals more with the health of the body, yoga deals with purifying the mind and consciousness, but in actual practice, they complement one other.
The ancient rishis (seers) were the original masters of Indian sciences. They considered good health as an essential asset on the path toward self-realization and god-realization.
• Both Ayurveda and Yoga offer many ways to prevent and heal various disorders as well as to cleanse and rejuvenate the body.
• Besides sharing a philosophical foundation, both systems have many similarities in relation to attitude, nutrition, diet, hygiene, exercise, cleansing practices, as well as spiritual practices.
• Both recognize that keeping the body healthy is vital for fulfilling the four aims of life: Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation).
• Both recognize that the balance of doshas (humors), dhatus (tissues), and malas (waste products) is essential for maintaining good health.
• Both share virtually the same metaphysical anatomy and physiology, which consists of 72,000 nadis (subtle channels), 7 main chakras (energy centers), 5 bodily sheaths, and the Kundalini Shakti (energy).
• Both advocate the use of diet, herbs, asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, astrology, prayer, puja, and rituals for healing the entire being.
• Both encourage physical health as a good foundation for mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
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