Ayurveda and Yoga are the two priceless rejuvenating therapies gifted by India to the world. Ayurveda can be described as the “yogic system of medicine”. The primary foucs of Yoga is to take the spiritual path to achieve mental peace, and Ayurveda is what extends the path into the realm of health and disease treatment. Ayurveda uses the methods of Yoga as healing therapies, not only for the body but also for the mind.
Famed as the world’s oldest health care system, Ayurveda helps in achieving full body balance and well being. The usage of custom made meals to personal massages, oil treatments to other handpicked methods of care; Ayurveda has its origin in the Southern India.
Yoga and Ayurveda
Yoga and Ayurveda are like the inseparable sisters. The origin of both is a greater system of Vedic Knowledge. Yoga originates in the Yajur Veda, while Ayurveda originates in the Atharva Veda and Rig Veda.
Both Yoga and Ayurveda work on the principles of trigunas (sattva, rajas and tamas) and the panchamahabuthas (earth, air, fire, water, space). Yoga and Ayurveda are also responsible how your body works, and the effect that food and medicines have on your body.
Both Yoga and Ayurveda have eight branches, known as Ashtanga Yoga and Ashtanga Ayurveda. The two have a common understanding of how the body functions, being dependent on the health and balance of the mind. They share virtually the same metaphysical anatomy and physiology, which consists of 72,000 nadis (subtle channels), seven main chakras (energy centers), five bodily sheaths and the kundalini shakti (energy).
Both Yoga and Ayurveda advocate the regular practice of Pranayam and Meditation as well as the use of herbs, body purification procedures, food and chanting of mantras for physical and mental health.
The body purification procedures in Yoga have been explained as ‘Satkriyas’ whereas in Ayurveda, it is known as ‘Panchakarma’.