The truth about Ayurveda – FOCUS online

What does Ayurveda mean?

The term ‘Ayurveda’ comes from Sanskrit and is composed of the words ‘Ayus’ (life) and ‘Veda’ (knowledge), which literally means ‘knowledge of life’. The basic principles of Ayurveda are based on the premise that the harmony of body, mind and spirit is determined by the balance of the three doshas (bioenergetic forces): Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They consist of the five elements earth, fire, air, space and water.

To increase well-being and prevent illness, these three life energies must be in balance. According to Ayurvedic teachings, an imbalance of the doshas can lead to various diseases, such as digestive disorders, skin diseases, musculoskeletal problems or stress-related diseases.

Ayurveda has gained popularity worldwide over time and is used both as a standalone medical system and as a complement to conventional medicine.

Andrea Labonte from Wellness Heaven has an extraordinary job that is the envy of many: she has been a hotel tester for more than 17 years Wellness Heaven Hotel Guide on the go, Germany’s largest portal for wellness hotels. In her column she regularly writes about her spa experiences, special destinations and the most bizarre incidents from her daily professional life “From the life of a hotel tester”.

How can Ayurveda help you live a healthier and more balanced life?

Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to health and wellness with the aim of strengthening the immune system, reducing stress and living more consciously. Ayurvedic education specifically focuses on the following areas:

• Power supply: Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet, tailored to the individual constitution (doshas) and the seasons. By choosing foods that balance the doshas and promote digestion, Ayurveda can help increase energy, strengthen the immune system and improve overall well-being.
• Lifestyle: The Ayurvedic lifestyle includes regular routines such as adequate sleep, regular exercise and techniques for effective stress management such as yoga, breathing exercises to control and increase life energy (Pranayama) or meditation. Ayurveda strives to live a harmonious life that suits the times of day and season.
• Herbal medicine: Ayurveda uses a variety of herbs and plant extracts to support health and treat disease. These natural remedies can help strengthen the immune system, regulate metabolism and restore the balance of doshas, ​​which would lead to improved well-being.
• Detoxification: Ayurveda places great emphasis on cleansing and detoxifying the body to remove toxins and activate the body’s natural self-healing powers.
• Self-care and mindfulness: Ayurveda encourages self-reflection and attention to one’s own needs.

How do you recognize your own constitution type?

Every person has a unique combination of the three doshas that determine his or her individual constitution. The identification of one’s own dosha type is based on physical characteristics, certain character traits and individual preferences. Thanks to their years of training, Ayurveda doctors often have a trained eye for the constitution of their patients.

This usually requires a detailed history. During this conversation, the patient’s medical history, current complaints, complaints and also the lifestyle may indicate an imbalance in one or more doshas. Body type, skin type, hair and eye color and other physical characteristics are also taken into account to draw conclusions about the dosha constitution. In addition, the patient’s dietary habits, sleep patterns, daily routines and other lifestyle habits can provide important information for the dosha analysis.

Pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha) is also one of the techniques for determining the dosha. The doctor examines the patient’s pulse at various points and evaluates rhythm, speed, force and other characteristics to provide clues as to the balance or imbalance of the doshas. In tongue and eye diagnosis, the color, shape, coating and moisture of the tongue, as well as the color, pattern and other features of the eyes, give the doctor clues about the patient’s dosha constitution.

What constitutional types (doshas) are there and what are their characteristics?

The three doshas are characterized by the following physical characteristics, character traits and behavior:

Vata is dominated by the elements air (Vayu) and ether (Akasha) and represents movement, lightness and space. The Vata type is generally characterized by a slim, light build, sensitive joints, restless movements, dry skin and irregular digestion. Creativity, enthusiasm, quick thinking and increased sensitivity are among the character traits of this dosha. Imbalances can lead to anxiety, insomnia, digestive problems and increased nervousness. A balanced Vata dosha is supported by regular routines, hot meals, adequate rest, stress management, yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic treatments.

Pitta is ruled by the elements fire (Agni) and water (Jala) and represents transformation and processing. Physical characteristics of the Pitta dosha are medium size, often athletic build, oily skin and strong digestion. People with a strong Pitta dosha are often characterized by a high degree of purposefulness, intelligence, determination, good leadership qualities, a strong competitive spirit, but also increased irritability. Imbalances can lead to stomach problems, heartburn, inflammation, rashes, excessive sweating, aggressiveness and indigestion. A balanced Pitta dosha is promoted by a cooling diet, relaxation techniques and avoidance of overwork and excessive heat. Ayurvedic treatments can also help to rebalance the Pitta dosha.

Kapha is one of the three basic doshas in Ayurveda and is determined by the elements earth (Prithvi) and water (Jala). This dosha represents stability, structure and grounding. The typical physiognomy of people with a high Kapha dosha share is a stocky physique, well-developed muscles, smooth skin and rather slow digestion. In terms of character, this constitutional type is characterized by patience, compassion, endurance, calmness, emotional stability but also a certain mucus. If this dosha becomes unbalanced, weight gain, sluggishness, depression, excessive mucus production and a lack of motivation can result. A balanced Kapha dosha is supported by regular exercise, an easily digestible diet and mental stimulation.

What are typical Ayurvedic applications?

To balance body, mind and soul, more and more wellness hotels in this country are offering Ayurvedic treatments on their spa menu. Ayurvedic treatments are also very popular. Below you will find some typical Ayurvedic practices that guests come into contact with, including during Ayurveda treatments:

• Ayurvedic massages (Abhyanga): The best-known Ayurvedic massages, which are also often offered in German wellness hotels, are Abhyanga and Shirodhara.
• Abhyanga: A full body massage with warm herbal oils that are tailored to the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) of the wellness guest. This massage is intended to calm the nervous system, improve blood circulation and care for the skin.
• Shirodhara: A continuous stream of warm oil on the forehead has a calming effect and is said to help with stress, insomnia and mental fatigue.
• Panchakarma: A comprehensive cleansing and detoxification program that plays an essential role, especially in longer Ayurveda treatments. Panchakarma includes the following five main treatments:
• Vamana (vomiting): Induces vomiting to cleanse the stomach.
• Virechana (purification): Using laxatives to cleanse the intestines.
• Basti (enemas): Therapeutic enemas to cleanse the colon.
• Nasya (nasal cleansing): Administering herbal oils through the nose to cleanse the sinuses.
• Raktamokshana (bloodshed): Traditionally used to cleanse the blood.

Herbal Therapy (Dravyaguna)

Herbal therapy involves taking special herbal preparations, spices and other herbal substances that are tailored to the individual constitution of the wellness guest. Herbal pastes and ointments are also used in herbal therapy to treat skin problems and muscle or joint pain.

Nutritional Therapy (Ahara)

Nutritional therapy involves a dosha-appropriate diet: personalized diet plans tailored to individual doshas to promote inner balance. For example, warm, cooked food is recommended for Vata-dominant people, cooling food for Pitta-dominant people and light, dry food for Kapha-dominant people. The use of spices such as turmeric, ginger, cardamom and cumin is also used in Ayurvedic nutritional therapy. These herbs are said to have healing and digestive properties.

Yoga and breathing exercises (pranayama)

Yoga is very important in Ayurvedic practice. The various asanas (poses) are intended to promote flexibility, strength and mental peace. Breathing techniques called pranayama are also intended to help improve lung capacity, reduce stress and calm the mind.

Meditation, mindfulness exercises (Dhyana) and a healthy daily routine (Dinacharya)

As part of Ayurvedic healing practices, meditation and mindfulness practices are also central elements to calm the mind, improve concentration and promote well-being. For a healthy daily routine, Ayurvedic health teachings also recommend early rising, tongue scraping, oil pulling, regular exercise and adequate sleep. Accompanying aromatherapy can also enhance physical and emotional well-being.