Ayurveda

For most of us, Ayurveda is known as a term from the fields of lifestyle and wellness. In reality, however, it is much more than that. Ayurveda is several thousand years old and thus one of the oldest – if not the oldest – health systems in the world. It originated in a region we now call India. Translated, Ayurveda means “the knowledge of life.” This already conveys its holistic approach: it is about the whole human being – body, mind, and soul.

Ayurveda teaches us how to maintain our health and heal our illnesses. But what does health actually mean? It is certainly more than the mere absence of disease. Ayurveda defines health as follows:

• The three Doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – can be understood as bio-energies. They are in a balanced state.
• The digestive system functions smoothly.
• The human body, with its components such as skin, muscles, and bones, is in good condition and full of vitality.
• The processes of elimination function efficiently and regularly.
• The senses and sensory organs work without disturbance.
• The mental state of a person is characterized by a high level of contentment.

A healthy person, according to this definition, experiences fulfillment on all three levels of our existence – the physical, the mental, and the spiritual.

Interestingly, the Ayurvedic definition of health is confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which stated in 1998: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

According to the Ayurvedic tradition, maintaining our health should be our top priority. It is the foundation of our lives and all our activities. Ayurveda provides precise guidance on how we can stay healthy. It is up to us to take the necessary steps to achieve this goal.