Ayurveda: Discovering The Ultimate Balance
Tips for Total Well-Being
There are steps we can take each day to address the things that weigh us down. To help soothe your soul and heal your life, I’ve pulled together these “doctor’s orders” for total well-being. .
Practiced in India for thousands of years, Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to wellness. In fact, a focus on treating more than just physical issues is built into its name: “Ayurveda” means “science of life” in Sanskrit.
“Ayurveda’s basic philosophy is that the mind and the body are not separate,” explains naturopathic doctor Pratima Raichur, author of Absolute Beauty and founder of New York City’s Pratima Ayurvedic Skincare Spa Clinic, which opened nearly 30 years ago. “Life is a combination of the physical form, mind, breath, and consciousness, and they are all connected. Every thought we have, food we eat, and breath we take affects the body.”
According to Ayurvedic teachings, each of the fundamental elements of the universe—ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth—are present in human physiology, and it is the imbalance of these (typically caused by physical, emotional, mental, or environmental stress) that leads to illness. A person’s dosha, or constitution, relates to the specific mix of these elements. The three doshas are vata (air and ether), pitta (fire and water), and kapha (earth and water), and most people are a combination of two, with one being dominant.
To bring the elements into optimum balance, traditional Ayurvedic wellness programs target both internal and external health with dosha-specific treatments. Panchakarma, for example, begins with a thorough diagnosis by an Ayurvedic medical practitioner followed by a customized regimen that can include herbal supplements and bodywork.
For long-term results it’s important to see a practitioner on a regular basis, but many destination spas offer one- or two-week Ayurvedic intensives focused on weight loss, cleansing, or the treatment of chronic issues like allergies. Several treatments have also been adapted and simplified for day spas, and when done properly these can yield positive results after just one session.
Because Ayurvedic treatments are customized based on a person’s dosha, spas that offer them will have clients answer a series of questions to identify whether they are mostly vata, pitta, or kapha. Armed with this information, the therapist will then know which treatments are best for the client and which oils and natural ingredients should be used. Oils nourish the body and rejuvenate it on a cellular level, while herbs, spices, and fruit are tapped for their beauty and healing properties—for example, amla is rich in revitalizing vitamin C, gotu kola stimulates collagen, saffron brightens, and neem leaf fights bacteria.
As the availability of Ayurvedic services becomes more widespread, it’s important to keep in mind that this traditional medicine system is an in-depth process (and one best suited to those interested in making permanent lifestyle and diet changes), so for a full, authentic experience you’ll need to go to an Ayurvedic clinic.
“Most spas offer treatments inspired by Ayurveda,” says Tara Grodjesk, founder of the all-natural spa line Tara, which includes a collection of Ayurvedic products prepared according to traditional methods. “They do not perform clinical Ayurvedic treatments but rather therapies appropriate for spa clientele.” However, the good news is that even the occasional spa-goer can benefit from a spa treatment or at-home product that taps into Ayurveda’s balancing ingredients and techniques.