Ayurveda

Ayurveda: Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word derived from two roots, “Ayus” and “Vid,”
meaning the science of life. With roots dating back over 5,000 years, It is thought
to be the oldest holistic natural healing science known. Ayurveda is more than a
medical system, it is a way of life. Its is holistic, and therefore encompasses all
aspects of life including science, medicine, spirituality, and philosophy.
Ayurveda, the traditional healing system of India, is becoming widely known as an
effective alternative approach to health and healing. This ancient holistic healing
system is a complete approach to health and lifestyle management. This system
incorporates diet, exercise, life activity routines, psychotherapeutic practices and
herbal medicine. Massage therapy and associated bodywork techniques play a
foundation role in Ayurvedic therapeutics. Ayurveda probably uses specialized
bodywork therapies more than any other global holistic healing system.
Therapy in Ayurveda is based on an understanding of the underlying concepts of
energetics inherent in the Ayurvedic world view. Ayurveda assigns all
matter/energy interactions in the world to a scheme of five primal elements:
(metaphorical concepts that describe physiological processes and environmental
interactions) earth, water, fire, air and ether.
For ease of conceptualizing the actions of these energies and for therapeutic
application in assessment and treatment, the five elements, as they manifest in the
body, are further condensed into three primal metabolic forces called doshas.
These forces underlie the theoretical foundations of all Ayurvedic assessments and
therapeutics.
The three doshas are: stable/fixed Kapha, fluctuating/changeable Vata, and
intense Pitta. The three body types or doshas indicate/determine physical and
psychological characteristics. Ayurveda has a 5,000-year history of using unique
sophisticated massage techniques as integrated parts of a total healing system.
Massage is used in Ayurveda for even the most serious conditions, although it
should not be substituted for professional medical care. Ayurveda was originally
used as a preventative therapy, However application of these therapies may help
an individual to get back on track with a healthier life style and achieve balance of
the offending Doshas. All therapy in Ayurveda revolves around the behavior of the
doshas. Our goal is to find the offending dosha- the one that has become
overactive and balance it by offsetting the energetics.

Getting Started: In order to assess the offending dosha(s) you will be asked to fill
out a questionnaire regarding physical make up, habits, and personality. This will
help your practitioner assess your treatment, for best results we ask you to be as
objective about yourself as possible. Your information will be kept completely
confidential. To get a quick idea what your Ayurvedic constitution is take this
online quiz! (click here then select take the Dosha quiz) Part 2 of the quiz will give
you a basic idea of where you need to restore balance!
Working with the offending Doshas is where we usually start, however in the case
of clients who may be well balanced we will address your constitutional dosha(s)
this is your underlying state typically influenced by genetics.

Massage Technique: With all this information we will adjust the specifics of your
session, such as selecting the precise oil and medicinal herbs and adjusting the
temperature of the treatment room, the depth and intensity of the treatment, the
body region worked, music and session length.