Ayurvedic Medicine Workshop Introduction Ayurvedic medicine is the oldest healthcare system in the world and India's traditional, natural system of medicine, having been practiced for over 5000 years ! The term Ayurvedic literally means “science of life.” Through centuries of empirical evidence, experimentation, discussion and meditation, this healthcare system evolved and was passed on verbally until the fifth and sixth centuries, when it was recorded in Sanskrit, India's ancient language. The system of Ayurveda focuses on preventing disease, revitalizing the body systems and extending one's lifespan. It is the premise of Ayurveda that through lifestyle changes and interventions, one can prevent diseases and, at the same time, acquire a better understanding of ourselves and the world we live in. In Ayurveda, the mind and body are one and united with all aspects of nature and the universe. It is the assertion of Ayurveda that everyone has a unique constitution (mind/body) comprised of the five elements: space, air, water, fire and earth. Upon one's birth, these elements exist in a particular balance called prakriti. One's prakriti can be upset through many factors, such as lifestyle, stress and accidents. This imbalance is called a vikriti. If left untreated, a vikriti state will result in illness and disease. The mind/body must be in a harmonious condition in order to be in a state of true well-being. The flow of intelligence through the human body is guided by doshas, three fundamental elements that make up one's prakriti. The three doshas are: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each dosha has its own function in the body. Vata controls movement; Pitta regulates metabolism and digestion; and Kapha controls the structure of the body. Every person has all three doshas, but it is the dominance of any one or two, or the balance of all three, that makes up a person's constitution. It is the role of the Ayurvedic physician to bring the three doshas into a state of natural balance for optimum health. Because Ayurveda is a complete system of health care, and one of four recognized by the W orld Health Organization, it assesses and treats all diseases, including multiple sclerosis. From an allopathic (i.e., conventional) perspective, it is not known what causes MS. From an Ayurvedic point of view, MS is a series of imbalances that result in disease. Determining and treating those imbalances is the key. Ayurveda is gaining popularity in the western hemisphere. American physician Deepak Chopra has written a series of books on health, based on the principles of Ayurveda. In his book Creating Health: How toWake up the Body's Intelligence (1991), Dr. Chopra states: “Ayurveda uses its techniques in the service of balance. W hen nature is unbalanced, the whole is endangered by disruptions in its parts. To be healthy, all natural beings must interact with nature through open and balanced channels of intelligence.” (Introduction was taken from Capital Connection, Vol. 29, No. 1, April 2006) Richard Beecroft Richard Beecroft has lived with MS since the mid 1970’s. At the time, there was not much understanding of MS, including any drug therapies or regimes to follow. Richard was given a very bleak prognosis and a dim future void of many physical activities he was told he would not be able to do. To thwart his bleak outlook, Richard cycled across Canada not once, but twice! He wanted to bring hope and awareness that MS does not have to prevent you from pursuing your dreams and interests. To further prove that point, he embarked on a three-year cycling trip around the world in 1983. Richard’s journey took him through India where he was introduced to Ayurvedic Medicine. He received various Ayurvedic treatments that provided him with long-term relief from everything from fatigue to heat exhaustion. Today, Richard espouses Ayurveda and practices its philosophy and methods, including Yoga, Transcendental Meditation and a vegetarian diet as a means of living comfortably with MS. Richard has recently returned from another journey to India to where he received additional Ayurvedic treatment. It is Richard’s motto to “take responsibility for his own health” and those who know him know that he always practices what he preaches! Richard’s website that containing his full story and describing his lifestyle. The website is http://www.beyondms.ca/ 2 Dr. James Lunney, MD CCFP(EM), For the past 25 years, Dr. Lunney has worked in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine. As well as serving on numerous medical and service committees, he has been an examiner for the college of Family Physicians of Canada for 20 years. Dr. Lunney first encountered Ayurveda as a tour doctor on a meditation retreat to India in 1980 where he worked alongside the great vaidya (Ayurvedic physician) Brihaspati Triguna in Delhi. In 1984 when Yogini McNamara, his wife, was diagnosed with a rare tropical disease, they returned to Delhi where she was treated and cured by Trigunaji. Their interest in Ayurveda continued to grow and eventually led to a one-year sabbatical in 1997 to study full-time with the renowned exponent of Ayurveda, Dr. Vasant Lad. Dr. Lunney has been incorporating Ayurvedic principles into his family practice over the years. In 2004, he a bad ski accident breaking both his wrists. W estern medicine in its methods had partially repaired the damage yet left him with limited mobility and unable to work in his chosen profession. He and his wife returned to south India, seeking help. In the south, Kerala is home to the great ashtavaidya lineages — families that have been practising Ayurveda for countless generations. This is the home of pancha karma, the cleansing techniques of Ayurveda popularized here in the west by Dr. Deepak Chopra. Kerala is also famous for its amazing pharmacy which includes powerful liquid herbal extracts and oils for external use for treatment of diseases and restoring balance. The methods of Ayurveda were able to relax his wrists bringing back full mobility. Dr. Lunney's improvement has been such that a few months ago he was able to return to family practice. The experience with Ayurveda has inspired both of them to establish the Ayurveda Medical Centre of Canada in Ottawa. His presentation of began with him explaining that there are five elements found in Ayurveda. These elements are space, air, earth, fire, and water. The 3 Doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha define the constitutions. Vata governs space and air, representing the energy of movement. Pitta representing the energy of heat governs fire. Finally Kapha governs water and earth, represent the energy of body structure formation, lubrication, moisturizing and maintains immunity. He further stated that in Ayurvedic thinking that everyone is born with a unique constitution and that if this constitution is out of balance it results in illness or disease. Training to be an Ayurvedic physician requires mastery that is learned from a Ayurvedic guru over a period of 20 years of studying at the foot of the physician. If one wishes to study to become a physician at a University it requires five years of study then an internship period. This differs than in W estern medicine that requires only two to four years and includes their internship. Aparna Bapat, BAMS Ayurvedic Physician and Ayurvedic Instructor Dr. Bapat graduated from the renowned Pune University, Faculty of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery in India. She is currently one of the leading scholars and practitioners of Ayurveda in the W est today, having practised and taught in Europe, the UK and the US. Dr. Bapat is a consultant at the Ayurvedic Center in New York and the Ayurvedic Medical Centre in Ottawa. Ayurvedic physicians study at the foot of their guru for 20 years before being certified as physicians. Those who study Ayurveda at University take 5 years of study followed by an internship. Aparana opened her talk by reminding us of the five elements of Ayurveda and that they control everything within and outside each individual. The primary goal of each of us is to achieve balance with all of these elements through our doshas. MS is a disease that is a result of an imbalance in the Vata when there is miscommunication at the celular level allowing for cellular confusion. It is caused through an improper diet and one’s chosen lifestyle. The Ayurvedic physician will attempt to bring the Vata back into balance by: 1. Using - herbs - medicinal oils - prescribing enemas of the herbs and oils 2. Through the treatment of the opposites - giving very personalized unique treatments 3. Through defined regimens and diet - these demand the responsibility of the patient - they are only temporary until the balance is achieved in the Vata 3 4. Once balance is achieved - the physician in consultation with the patient will counsel them on ways to maintain he balance and preserve the benefits that have been achieved from their treatment. Dr. Bapat practices at the Ayurvedic Medical Centre in Ottawa . Her practice is so defined that a visit to the centre for consultationand treatment can be billed if one has private insurance coverage for naturopathic services.