Introduction
The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start and to adopt ayurvedic practices and rituals for good mental and physical health. Easy to adopt and adapt to our modern lifestyles ayurvedic daily routines are a holistic way to work towards wellbeing.
The transformative power of Ayurveda
With a history spanning over 5000 years, ayurveda is one of the oldest forms of holistic medicines in the world. It is an ancient practice based on the belief that our health and wellness depend on the balance between our soul, mind and body. We are governed by our dosha or life energies of which each of us have a unique combination. The ayurvedic practice focuses on promoting and maintaining good health rather than medicating disease.
Despite being an ancient life science, ayurveda is a practical form of medicine that promotes good practices and rituals for lasting benefits. These teachings are applicable even today because despite their massive benefits they are simple to incorporate into our lives.
How does Ayurveda support our health and wellbeing?
Ayurveda pays attention to removing impurities from the body, releasing tension, revitalising the mind and on nourishing the body. Through this it also focuses on balancing hormone levels and strengthening the immune system.
As such ayurveda promotes maintaining simple yet healing routines that are not difficult to incorporate into your day. Further, there are ayurvedic practices and rituals that can be done to support your health and wellbeing.
What are the ayurvedic practices and rituals used to transform your well-being?
- Abhyanga
This is a warm ayurvedic oil body massage that promotes toned muscles, calms the body and mind and hydrates the skin. It is also beneficial for the nervous system. This oil massage can be self-applied daily for about 20 minutes while the oil used depends on your dosha type.
You will need herbal oils and a quiet place in which to perform abhyanga. You could get this done by practiced ayurvedic therapists once in a while for additional benefits.
Among the above mentioned benefits, abhyanga also helps lubricate joints, increase circulation, stimulate the internal organs and eliminate impurities from the body.
- Yoga
Yoga is a form of gentle exercise that promotes physical, mental and spiritual cohesiveness and discipline.
As it is a gentle exercise it can be done by almost anyone unless otherwise advised. You can follow a practiced yoga teacher for structured movement and later adapt it if you so wish. All you need is a little space and a yoga mat to practice.
Yoga helps tone the body, promote flexibility and strengthen and still the mind.
- Meditation
Meditation is the practice of creating awareness and strengthening attention which has a wide variety of psychological benefits.
Anyone can practice meditation, all you need is a quiet place to practice a few minutes of awareness to restore calm and inner peace. No special equipment is needed and if you can follow a guided practice initially to help you concentrate.
Meditation health benefits include managing stress, focus, reducing negative emotions, gaining a new perspective, increasing patience and tolerance and increasing imagination and creativity among other benefits.
- Ayurvedic Diet
An ayurvedic expert can determine your body composition for you and then prescribe the best foods and drinks for optimum health. It is all about avoiding processed foods and instead focusing on nourishing fresh vegetables and fruits that genuinely help maintain internal balance.
Mindful eating is promoted so that you truly experience and enjoy your food while being aware of what you are putting into your body for a happy healthy feeling.
Following an ayurvedic diet can also promote weight loss as you are eating food suitable for your body and so is digested better which helps you feel satiated and nourished for longer.
- Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies have been used by ayurveda for thousands of years to treat various health ailments. These can be administered in the form of powders, pellets and tablets and are filled with healing metals and minerals.
You should only consume herbal remedies created and/or approved by recognised ayurvedic doctors or practitioners. Once prescribed you can take the remedies on your own.
Herbal remedies provide a range of benefits form improving vitality, to detoxing and purifying the blood, improving digestion and boosting mental health. They can also help reduce the side effects of caner, aid weight loss and improve skin tone, to name a few further benefits.
- Panchakarma
This is a course of five treatments for the body, mind and consciousness that cleanses and rejuvenates, a form of detox done based on ayurvedic principles.
Panchakarma has to be administered by trained ayurvedic therapists as it is not a simple process. Each treatment is tailored individually for specific constitutions and so needs close observation and supervision.
The treatments help eliminate toxins from the mind and body, restore constitutional balance, strengthen the immune system and build resilience against illness and reverse the negative effects of stress on your mind and body.
Conclusion
Ayurvedic practices and rituals bring about a deep sense of calm and wellbeing and are the perfect way to create mental, physical and spiritual wellness in your life. Start your ayurvedic journey today and make this your year of good health.