Ayurveda 101
Thousands of years before modern medicine provided scientific evidence for the mind-body connection, the sages of India developed Ayurveda….
Ayurvedic Medicine is the sister science of Yoga from the Vedic tradition dating back over 5,000 years ago. It is considered to be the mother of all healing systems. In Sanskrit it translates to “The Knowledge or Science of Life.” It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Ayurveda looks at the whole person and understands the inteconnectedness and the importance of the health of one’s mind, body, and spirit. Nothing has more power to heal and transform the body than the mind. Freedom from illness depends on expanding our own awareness. Ayurveda teaches us how to make choices with awareness leading to perfect health and balance through nature. If your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with the universe, you have good health. When something disrupts this balance, you have dis-ease. Every person is made of five elements found in the universe and nature. They are Akasha(space),Vayu(air), Agni(fire), Jala(water), and Prithvi(earth). They combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called doshas. Doshas control the functions of the body. They are Vata dosha (space and air), Pitta dosha (fire and water), and Kapha dosha (water and earth). Each person has a unique combination of the doshas that makes up one’s constitution. This constitution is determined the moment of conception and remains the same throughout one’s life. Many factors both internal and external can disturb this balance and reflects in a change in one’s constitution. Once these factors are understood, one can take the appropriate actions to minimize or eliminate the cause and reestablish balance in one’s constitution.
Yoga 101
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj” meaning “to yoke.” Translation, Yoga means union with God. It’s purpose is to realize we are divinity itself, one with supreme consciousness. Also referred to as the true Self, the I Am, or the Soul. Yoga is a spiritual quest. Along the path the yogi gains health, happiness, tranquility and wisdom. Yoga is one of the 6 classical indian philosophies and is referred to throughout The Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the world dating back to 5000 BC. The Indian Sage Pantanjali outlined the 8 limbs of the yogic path called the Ashtanga Yoga System. They are as follows: Yamas(abstinences or restraints), Niyama(spiritual observances), Asanas(yoga postures), Pranayama(breath control), Pratyahara(withdrawel of senses), Dharana(concentration), Dhyana(meditation), Samadhi(absorption). Yoga develops the body since a weak one is hindrance to spiritual growth. It does not simply focus on the physical but on mental and spiritual as well. The ultimate goal of Yoga is to attain moksha meaning liberation and freedom. The final step is Samadhi, the path to freedom, bliss, or enlightenment. “Sama” means “same” or “equal.” “Dhi” means “to see.” After we have interconnected our outer world with our inner world, we come to the final stage of eternal bliss. There are 10 states of Samadhi that we must pass through. Only when the mind is totally free from”impressions” aversions, desires, or habits can the mind be completely pure, and attain moksha or the state of mukti, the permanent state of being liberated and free. With this realization comes “the peace that passeth all understanding.”
Reiki 101
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Reiki comes from two Kanji, the written language of Japan. “Rei” means spiritual wisdom and “Ki” means life energy. Life energy means the same as “Qi” or “Chi” in Chinese, “Prana” in Sanskrit, and “Ti” or “Ki” in Hawaiian. Science calls it “Biofield Energy.” Reiki is a type of healing therapy that targets the energy fields and permeates in and around the body. Energy can stagnate the body where there has been physical injury or emotional pain. These energy blocks can create illness or disease. Reiki energy healing aims to help the flow of energy and remove blocks in a similar way as acupuncture. The healing effects are mediated by channeling the universal energy between practitioner and the client. The practitioner lightly places hand on or over the body and the transfer of energy takes place. The client may feel heat or cold from practitioner’s hands, tingling sensations, increased relaxation, lessened anxiety, lower level of pain, inner peace, increased feeling of wholeness, and centering within oneself. There have been many case studies on Reiki and there is strong evidence that it is responsible for the biological response in both humans and animals alike. Reiki programs are offered in clinics, hospitals, and hospice facilities around the U.S and around the globe.
