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Do Yoga And Ayurveda Complement Each Other?
The modern world is slowly reaching to the conclusion that both Yoga and Ayurveda are actually the two sides of same coin. Though in India, this theory has been very well acknowledged since the ancient ages. If we look at the origin, both Yoga and Ayurveda originated from our ancient Vedic system. Whereas it is believed that Yoga originated mainly from the Yajur Veda, Ayurveda has originated mainly from Atharva Veda and Rig Veda. Yoga and Ayurveda are inter-related sciences in many aspects.
Are Yoga and Ayurveda, Two sides of Same Coin?
Ayurveda cures confer with a number of herbs and herbal formulations that are nature’s bounty full of health and stamina enhancing properties. These cures which are believed to enhance the natural well-being, are termed as ‘Rasayanas’ and are believed to provide physical and mental fitness, vigour and vitality as well as these help to decelerate the process of aging. Also, the cures which are provided to you as herbs benefit by causing a considerable increase in the body resistance owing to the distinguished anti-infective and anti-toxic properties that these hold.
Yoga poses and deep-breathing techniques of Pranayama are virtual gain for all those who find themselves growing conscious about the progressing years. Yoga aids in slowing down the process of aging in a number of ways. When practiced regularly, body cell degeneration decreases considerably and this in turn imparts vitality and vigour to mind, body and soul. Practicing deep breathing techniques provide you with inner peace, helps reduce debility and limitations and even slows down the aging process.
Yoga and Ayurveda – Global Recognition And Understanding
Although, Yoga is not considered to be inherently a medical system, it primarily focuses on spiritual well-being of an individual. Modern yoga is practiced as a kind of physical therapy using asanas (Yoga poses) which can be helpful to certain systems of body. There is a common perception that specific asanas can actually cure diseases. We must understand that Yoga is not just restricted to physical activity but it is a way to create balance between mind and consciousness.
Ayurveda aims to create the right balance of both physical and mental state of individual. It aims to balance the doshas by managing diet, lifestyle, and herbs along with asanas and panchakarma. It includes the practices of Yoga in form of Asanas and Pranayama as a part of its healing tools. Ayurveda cannot be restricted only as a medical system aimed to treat diseases but a healthy and natural way of living in order to develop ones highest potential.
If we look globally, Yoga was more accepted by Western world and Ayurveda was left behind because perhaps it may interfere with their existing system of medicine. But decades of study on both the subjects actually points the link between Yoga and Ayurveda. It is now well accepted that Ayurveda is the physical counterpart of Yoga. If Yoga is the way for realizing higher consciousness, Ayurveda is the way for health and well-being.
Both Yoga and Ayurveda complement each other and strengthen our Indian ancient Vedic system. Both the sciences together offer a complete system of well-being for body, mind and consciousness. It can be well understood that Yoga and Ayurveda are not separate but inter related disciplines to attain the ultimate goal of self realization.
Justified Appraisal Of Ayurveda and Yoga for Holistic Healthcare
Whereas Ayurveda therapy validates physical, psychological and also the spiritual wellness of an individual, it has been rightly acclaimed as the well-organized system of traditional health care, both in preventive as well as curative spheres. Undeniably Ayurveda is age-old and time tested. Since times immemorial this system of medicine has been in use and has proved to be result oriented and justified. The same drugs and formulations that had been used hundreds of years ago are still in use. And there have been little or no replacements whatsoever. Ayurveda when coupled with yoga and other multiple healing magnitudes like Meditation, gem therapy, light therapy, body massage therapies, sound therapy and yagyas, all these together provide with an amplified experience of ones most inner quiet self and holistic wellness.
Yoga And Ayurveda – The Binding Of Wellness
Our ancient wisdom in the form of Yoga techniques is an asset that has an overall cleansing and detoxifying effect onto body as well as mind. Most of the Yogic kriyas or the primary actions are most significantly made to comprehensively cleanse and purify the body. Of these, techniques like Vaman dhyoti, Nauli and Neti rightly serve the purpose. The Yoga asanas (Surya namaskar, yoga mudra etc) work by providing internal massage to the body organs mainly the intestine which is actually the prime site of the accumulated toxic matter. Nevertheless, the deep breathing exercises known as ‘Pranayamas’ (bhastrika, kapalbhati, surya bhedi, anulom – vilom) are a good help to flush out toxins and at the same time augment the vital energy. All the yoga practices need to be practiced regularly so as to find early and static benefits. It is implicit that when the Ayurveda herbs and bland diet plan (which is meager intake of food or more of liquid diet) is being undertaken, Yoga exercises prove to be of high assistance that makes the body to expel toxins by activating the evacuation channels of skin, lungs (breathing), kidneys and intestines.
Specialized Yoga & Ayurveda Healing Techniques
Whenever Ayurveda medicine is administered to a patient, which is a herbal-mineral and natural drug, it acts either as Shodhana or the medicine or procedures performed so as to eviction of the distorted or imbalanced doshas or Shamana whereas the herbs tend to re-balance the doshas within the body itself. Although, there are separate medicines that are used to balance the three physical doshas viz. vata, pitta and kapha and for curing the disturbed mental states of Rajas and Tamas. Ayurveda Healing is regarded as Sukha Chikitsa which means that this is the pure treatment that the science of Ayurveda has to offer in process of which no other ailment is formed. Ayurveda is a holistic treatment science which incorporates precise methodologies and therapies which target the overall wellness and longevity of an individual.
Holistic Healing
This complete ancient wisdom works in proximity with other alternate therapies like yoga, meditation and Naturopathy.
Therapeutic Yoga
Yoga is one of the most ancient therapeutic practices on the planet. A variety of poses from the most simple to the most complex integrate the mind, body, and soul.
Pranayama
Pranayama involves breathing techniques to recharge the body with life energy. There are a multitude of breath techniques that balance specific health issues and unblock areas of the body where prana in is blocked and cannot flow.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is very easy to do and yet so highly effective to reduce stress, create mind body coordination, reduce anxiety and depression and improve overall health. It allows one to explore deeper levels of the subconscious mind, thereby releasing and relaxing the mental stress and establishing harmony in all respects.
Meditation
There are numerous forms and techniques of meditation that all have the same goal and that is to transcend thought and experience deep inner quiet and bliss.
Yoga Kriyas
Yogic kriyas are unique yogic techniques that are intended to cleanse the inner organs, developed by the yogis. There are six major Kriyas called as Shat kriyas.
Yoga And Ayurveda Balance Each Other
Yoga and Ayurveda follow the core philosophy of Sankhya (numbers). Both Yoga and Ayurveda are based on principles of the Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and the Trigunas (Satva, Rajas and Tamas). Both the sciences believe in Panchamahabhootas or the five basic building blocks i.e. the Earth, Fire, Air, Water and Space, which lay the foundation of the entire universe. We can therefore comprehend that Ayurveda and Yoga, both the ancient sciences balance each other and together take the individual on all levels of holistic wellness viz. the physical, mental, spiritual as well as emotional well-being.
Article Published here.
About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Dr Sonica Krishan’s Books are available at Amazon
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