Ayurveda as per Wikipedia

Ayurveda (/ˌɑːjʊərˈveɪdə, -ˈviː-/)[1] is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent.[2] The theory and practice of Ayurveda is pseudoscientific.[3][4][5] Ayurveda is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population report using it.[6][7][8]

Ayurveda therapies have varied and evolved over more than two millennia.[2] Therapies include herbal medicines, special diets, meditation, yoga, massage, laxatives, enemas, and medical oils.[9][10] Ayurvedic preparations are typically based on complex herbal compounds, minerals, and metal substances (perhaps under the influence of early Indian alchemy or rasashastra). Ancient Ayurveda texts also taught surgical techniques, including rhinoplasty, kidney stone extractions, sutures, and the extraction of foreign objects.[11][12]

The main classical Ayurveda texts begin with accounts of the transmission of medical knowledge from the gods to sages, and then to human physicians.[13] Printed editions of the Sushruta Samhita (Sushruta's Compendium), frame the work as the teachings of Dhanvantari, Hindu god of Ayurveda, incarnated as King Divodāsa of Varanasi, to a group of physicians, including Sushruta.[14][15] The oldest manuscripts of the work, however, omit this frame, ascribing the work directly to King Divodāsa.[16] Through well-understood processes of modernization and globalization, Ayurveda has been adapted for Western consumption, notably by Baba Hari Dass in the 1970s and Maharishi Ayurveda in the 1980s.[17] Historical evidence for Ayurvedic texts, terminology and concepts appears from the middle of the first millennium BCE onwards.[18]

In Ayurveda texts, Dosha balance is emphasized, and suppressing natural urges is considered unhealthy and claimed to lead to illness.[19] Ayurveda treatises describe three elemental doshas viz. vāta, pitta and kapha, and state that balance (Skt. sāmyatva) of the doshas results in health, while imbalance (viṣamatva) results in disease. Ayurveda treatises divide medicine into eight canonical components. Ayurveda practitioners had developed various medicinal preparations and surgical procedures from at least the beginning of the common era.[20]

Ayurveda Chikitsa is primarily uses all natural methods, in-tune with nature to balance five elements, to restore & rejuvenate natural health. Sunil Kanojia and Kari H Nolen have attended ASP1 and ASP2 under Dr. Vasant D Lad and Team at Albuquerque NM and are qualified Ayurvedic Practitioners.

What is AyurYoga®

The merging of Yoga and Ayurveda as a twin sister in AyurYoga®.

Ayurveda and yoga are ancient disciplines of balancing body, mind and consciousness. They are intimately connected both in philosophy and in their practical application. They are so close together, so intimately intertwined that they look like the two sides of the same coin concurrent and inherent within each other. One on side, Ayurveda teaches the art of living in harmony with the nature , by suggesting proper diet, lifestyle and herbal protocols based upon an individual’s prakruti, vikruti paradigm. On the other side, Yoga brings the same balance through yama, niyama, asana, pranayama and the profound discipline of proper meditation. Both ayurveda and yoga suppor the four pillars of life: dharma (sacred duty), artha (success) kama (positive desire) and moksha (enlightment).

Historically, both Yoga and Ayurveda belonged to the ancient Vedic culture of India, which is more then 5,000 years old. Rooted in the teachings of the Vedas, the oldest written books, these sister sciences were one. The Rishis were well versed in yoga, Ayurveda, astrology and vastu and they utilized these systems when treating an individual. Thus, when counseled by the ancient sages, one received a holistic approach to health and healing that was comprised of all the above sciences to heal the body, mind and spirit. Over time, these practices were separated into discrete sciences which evolved into specialized practices. Today it is rare to find an individual that is well versed in all of the practices. However, one such individual does exist, and he is a pioneer in the work of yoga and Ayurveda; Dr. Vasant Lad. Dr. Lad founded the Ayurvedic Institute to maintain and teach this ancient approach to holistic wellness in his mission to bring healing and compassion to the world.

Ayuryoga®, created by Dr. Lad, recognizes that Ayurveda and Yoga are one and provides an integrated, individualized, and therapeutic approach to health, vitality, and joy. It is based upon the tenant that we don’t mold ourselves to fit the yoga practice but rather the yoga practice should be unique to who we are and what we need in order to support health and vitality. This individualized approach regards each of us as unique beings, not just in our genetic constitution, but also in how we arrive at imbalance and utlimately disease. Ayruveda offers a profound framework for understanding the human body, our constitution and most importantly how disease occurs along with its root cause. Recognizing that we are energetic expressions; prana and the five basic elements, this becomes the foundation by which Ayurveda rests upon. Ultimately we are pranic manifestations and when prana becomes disturbed, a cascade of events can eventually lead us to ill health if allowed to perpuate in a distrubed way. Both Yoga and Ayurveda restore the pranic flow. Ayurveda utilizes food ,diet, lifestyle, therapeutic treatments and herbal protocols; while Yoga offers pranayama, asana, meditation, mudra, and ethical lifestyle practices to support the mind, body and spirit. Yoga also offers us technqiues to direct prana. Through Yogic sadhana practices, we can bring about the purification of the mind to support the therapeutic and wholesome practices of Ayurveda that enhance our well-being. This leads to a clearer understanding of ourselves, our mental processes, and the choices we make; which empowers us to begin healing and ultimately maintain perfect health.

Through Ayurveda we can determine a persons individual constitution, Prakruti. This is our natural state. However due to lifestyle, seasonal and dietary changes, our natural state is challenged and we become inbalanced; this is called Vikruti, the variant state. Let’s examine this theory through a real life example. Meet Joe: a 40 year old corporate attorney, working a high stress and competitive job. He is of medium build, balding head, with an aggressive, competitive yet brilliant personality. In Ayurveda we would immediately say that the fire principle is part of his prakruti, also known as pitta dosha. It is currently July and Joe loves to eat spicy food, drink a glass of scotch in the evening, and workout during lunchtime. All these choices are increasing the fire principle in his mind and body, causing him high levels of irritation and impatience alongside acid indigestion and an occasional rash or skin inflammation. Given his current state of imbalance, Ayuryoga would offer him not only a cooling sadhana comprised of sheetali (a cooling pranayama), Chandra Namaskar (moon salutation) and pitta pacifying asana; it would also offer him Ayurvedic dietary and herbal recommendations along with altered lifestyle practices to support his daily life and decrease the excess fire he has accumulated. Though seemingly simplistic, there are unique aspects within the recommendation that would tailor this entire protocol to meet Joe where he is now and where he needs to be at his best. This the beauty of Ayuryoga. His protocol would be unique to his prakruti, vikruti in respect to the pathway, and cause of his current state of ill health.

In its original form, Yoga did not come as a package of group yoga classes taught to the masses. Though the current model of group classes serve a very powerful and unique niche market, profound inner healing can be found when you actually do a sadhana that is tailored individually for you. Imagine a space where you could arrive each day, at a specific time and do your own, special yoga sadhana created just for you. In a room where others are also doing the same. A room where a teacher knows your routine and is there to support you and refine your technique. A space where you are not forced to follow the pace or rhythm imposed upon you, but rather a rhythm you create based upon what you need. How would that transform your current experience of Yoga? This is the vision and glory of Ayuryoga. To allow us to return to the way it was. To arrive at your local yoga studio and connect to a community of practioners on the path that is serving them; while at the same time being supported by the energy of a collective practice.

The term Ayuryoga and its methodology were created by Vasant D. Lad of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is based on the concept of blending Ayurveda , Yoga and Vedic science to bring peace and healing to our lives.

You can deepen your knowledge and apply the practices of Ayuryoga through our Ayuryoga Video Series + our Ayuryoga: VPK Basics Booklet!

This document and it’s text may not be copied or duplicated in any way without written permission from the author [written by Maria Garre].

Sunil Kanojia is trained and certified in AyurYoga® in 2020-2021 by Dr. Vasant D. Lad and his non-profit team at Albuquerque NM

Meaningful, Compassionate Work at End-of-Life

End-of-Life Doulas complement the care provided by family members and friends, as well as medical, palliative, and hospice professionals, within the settings of hospitals, senior care facilities, and homes. EOL Doulas support clients with individualized, compassionate care in a number of ways, including emotional, spiritual, informational, and physical support, which greatly helps to lower stress levels, aid in comfort, and promote personalized, even positive, dying passages for clients and their loved ones.

Inspired by the farm families of Cabot to benefit the communities in which they live, Cabot Creamery Cooperative recognizes the need to provide skilled doula care to our aging seniors and our neighbors facing the end of life.

Sunil Kanojia is End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate 2022 by University of Vermont, Learner College of Medicine, USA.

Children Cognitive Skill Development

UNLOCK the unlimited potential of the brain with Brighter Minds Based on the science of Neuroplasticity, Brighter Minds (BM) is a training methodology designed to catalyse cognitive growth for children between the ages of 5 and 15 for a lifetime of learning. Using our proprietary interactive tools and techniques, each of our training programs aims at whole brain activation where the right brain is stimulated through exercise, sound waves and relaxation to achieve left-right equilibrium. The result is an intellectually, socially and emotionally brighter mind.

Swaasthya Inc. is the exclusive Brighter Minds Authorized Dealer for Greater Philadelphia PA region covering areas of KoP, Wayne, etc. The launch got delayed due to Covid-19 but plan to launch services during 1st Quarter of 2023. Stay Tuned and connect Swaasthya in case you want to be part of Swaastthya BM team in this region as we are looking for passionate people with potential to help our children.

Shakha Vanshya Lineage of Ayurveda

An Ayurvedic Guide to Food Combining

Here we want to introduce the essential Ayurvedic principle of food combining. We would like to teache Americans that it’s not enough to choose healthy ingredients. True health requires us to select quality ingredients that, when combined in a meal, support strong and balanced digestion.

Please expect Ayurvedic Cooking Classes soon in 2023 where we will teach you, "How to make your favorite dish (with modifications), so that it becomes Ayurvedic for your individual digestion, in that season, and as per your phase of life's journey?!" Live Life with Full Potency and Vitality!