What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the sister science to Yoga!
Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words: "Ayur", meaning life, and "Veda", meaning knowledge or science.
So, Ayurveda translates to the science of life.
Believed to be over 5,000 years old, Ayurveda has its origins in ancient India. It is thought to have been passed down orally before being documented in sacred texts like the Vedas, which are considered the oldest scriptures in human history. These texts provided the foundational principles and practices that form the basis of both Ayurveda and Yoga today.
Though Ayurveda has evolved over the centuries, it continues to be a holistic approach to health, integrating lifestyle, diet, and mental well-being into a system for living in harmony with nature. The foundation of Ayurveda’s scientific approach lies in analyzing the balance between body, mind, and spirit through the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether) and their qualities. Ayurveda explores how these elements interact in the body and influence our overall well-being. Through observation, experimentation, and knowledge passed down for thousands of years, Ayurveda has developed principles that have influenced modern medical techniques.
One of my favorite aspects of Ayurveda is its emphasis on the prevention of disease, which contrasts significantly with the way modern medicine approaches health. In 2022, the U.S. spent about $4.5 trillion on healthcare, but only 3.5% of that was allocated to preventive services. The majority of healthcare spending focuses on treating diseases once they have already developed.
That being said, we also appreciate modern medicine and all that it has done for us! I believe that with proper education and careful integration, incorporating both Ayurveda and modern medicine into our lives can help us achieve a state of health and wellness.
What is Yoga Therapy?
"Yoga therapy is a self-empowering process, where the care-seeker, with the help of the Yoga therapist, implements a personalized and evolving Yoga practice, that not only addresses the illness in a multi-dimensional manner, but also aims to alleviate his/her suffering in a progressive, non-invasive and complementary manner. Depending upon the nature of the illness, Yoga therapy can not only be preventative or curative, but also serve a means to manage the illness, or facilitate healing in the person at all levels."
TKV Desikachar & Kausthub Desikachar
How does Ayurveda impact the Yoga Experience?
In a yoga therapy relationship, Ayurveda deepens the therapeutic impact by guiding the therapist to tailor practices to the unique constitution and current imbalances of the practitioner. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the therapist uses Ayurvedic wisdom to adapt postures, breathwork, and lifestyle recommendations that support the individual’s path to balance and healing. This personalized approach helps make yoga more effective, supportive, and sustainable.