Authentic Ayurveda A The Journey to Your Inner Self Ayurveda - Knowing the secrets of inner balance is the key to a long and healthy life. This brochure would like to take you to t he fascinating and diverse world of Ayurveda. SpaDreams Ayurveda Guidebook Over the past two decades, native to India, Ayurveda health teaching has made an exemplary career in the West. Ayurveda is „in,“ and not without reason because the therapies of Indian health teachings are very versatile. Ayurveda is suitable both for healing and to prevent disease, for rejuvenation, revitalization or simply to increase well-being. With its holistic approach, involving personal lives of individuals, Ayurveda is taking on greater significance in the Western society to reduce many types of stress and its consequences. However, the popularity of Indian health science also means that there is now a flood of various Ayurveda offers that do not always have anything to do with authentic Ayurveda. To the layman, it is becoming increasingly difficult to know and select the right offer for themselves. One of the reasons is certainly that Ayurveda as a complex health care system is not easy to recognize by itself. It uses its own language and hosts a variety of forms and interpretations. SpaDreams offers over 20 years of authentic Ayurvedic treatments, including the countries of India and Sri Lanka, the origin of Ayurveda. We would like to share with you our expert knowledge acquired over the years, to give you a better overview of the most important aspects and components of the Indian health science. 1 Contents AYURVEDA – WHAT IS IT ? Pg. 2 THE PILLARS OF AYURVEDA Doshas - Bioenergy Fundamental Principles Who am I? - Ayurvedic Types of Constitution Health and Disease in Ayurveda Pg..3 AYURVEDA AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE: ORIGINAL AYURVEDA TREATMENT ‚PANCHAKARMA“ Diagnosis Treatments Purvakarma - Preparatory Measures Panchakarma - Fivefold Purification Paschatkarma - Aftercare Nutrition SpaDreams Quality Criteria Pg. .5 GLOSSARY Pg. 7 SpaDreams - Original Ayurveda Guidebook Ayurveda - What is it? Ayurveda - What is it? AYURVEDA - a name that is attached to the charm of the unknown and exotic. Anyone who is interested in health has at least heard the word before, but what lies behind it exactly? An initial approximation is provided by the translation of the term. The word „Ayurveda“ is derived from the Sanskrit, the ancient standard language of India and is composed of the words „Ayus“ for „life“ and „Veda,“ meaning „knowledge, wisdom“ together. Ayurveda is therefore nothing less than the „knowledge of life.“ The foundation of this knowledge is the realization of the wholeness of life. According to the Ayurvedic understanding, the body cannot be seen in isolation from the soul and the person is not separated from its environment. There are innumerable interactions and complex relationships. Ayurvedic diagnosis and therapies therefore take into account all areas of human life such as emotions, mind, body, behavior, living environment, social life and influence of daytime and seasons in their interaction. The treatments of Ayurveda are many. They are based on sound nutrition science tailored to the personal constitution of the individual, an herbal medicine with over 3,000 different plants and herbs that comprise a variety of cleansing techniques (e.g. Panchakarma), an oil massage and many other beneficial treatments – all combined with a spiritual yoga and meditation practice. Providing well-being and preventing disease is always its main concern but, in the context of an authentic original Ayurvedic treatment, diseases, especially chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or high blood pressure, can also be cured or alleviated. Ayurveda is a multi-talented! Millennia-old Art of Healing The roots of Ayurveda date back to the time of the Vedic civilization of ancient India more than 5,000 years ago. There are few historical documents about the Vedic period of the Far Eastern healing arts. The starting point of the few texts from that period is the meditation review of the Rishis, the sages who passed on their knowledge orally. Only in the centuries around the birth of Christ, in the so-called Upanishadic period, also respectfully called the „Golden Age“ of Ayurveda, developed what we call Ayurveda today. During this time, the most important classical texts emerged: the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, which still form the basis of Ayurveda. Mit der Ausbreitung des Buddhismus (ab ca. 6. Jahrhundert v. Chr.) erlebte Ayurveda einen großen Aufschwung und viele ayurvedische Universitäten und Krankenhäuser entstanden. With the spread of Buddhism (from about the 6th century B.C.), Ayurveda experienced a boom and many Ayurvedic universities and hospitals emerged. During the 200 years of colonial rule of England, from the mid-18th century, the Ayurvedic teachings were defamed as backward and completely suppressed. All Ayurvedic universities were closed. Only in the second decade of the 20th century under Mahatma Gandhi, did Ayurvedic colleges emerge again. After the independence of India in 1947, Ayurveda was finally awarded the status of an official system of medicine. SpaDreams - Original Ayurveda Guidebook 2 The Pillars of Ayurveda Doshas Bioenergetic Principles Who Am I? Ayurvedic Types of Constitution The key to understanding Ayurveda lies in the doctrine of the three doshas. According to them, in the human organism, there are three basic energetic forces at work. They control all physical and mental functions of an individual and are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The various functions of the three doshas arise from their characteristic properties that can be derived from the five basic elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. Connected among themselves, the elements form the three doshas. Everyone brings together all three doshas in themselves. In that respect, one can have one, two or all three doshas predominate. The dominant doshas characterize personal properties, the physical and mental characteristics of a human being. Accordingly, in Ayurveda there are different types or constitutions. A total of seven types of constitutions are distinguished: Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, Vata-Kapha and Vata Pitta Kapha. VATA consists of the elements air and ether, and is considered the absolute life energy. Features: lightweight, flexible, fast, subtle, cold, dry, rough. Functions: controls all voluntary and autonomic movements, affecting the muscles, regulation of the internal organs, circulation, respiration and all excretion processes. It also affects spiritual capacity, clarity and alertness. PITTA is associated with the elements of water and fire, and is considered the metabolic principle. Features: hot, light, flowing, liquid, sharp, piercing, slightly oily. Functions: regulation of body temperature, digestion and metabolism, blood formation, skin and eyesight, intellect and emotional expression. KAPHA is formed from the earth and sea. Our resistance to disease is dependent on this dosha. Features: heavy, cold, soft, sweet, stable, slow, oily, smooth, firm, languid. Functions: responsible for body structures and fluid balance, regulates mental stability and harmony as well as memory functions. 3 The constitution describes the strengths and weaknesses, providing information about susceptibility to illness and explains different reactions to food, sensations, and climate or living conditions. In the treatment and prevention of diseases, therefore, the determination of the constitutional type plays an important role. Main features of the Vata type: Lighter body constitution and light weight, tendency to dry skin, aversion to cold and windy weather, irregular hunger and irregular digestion, tendency to constipation, capacity for enthusiasm, quick action, quick wit and good short-term memory, tendency to worry and to sleep disorders. Main features of the Pitta type: Medium-heavy build, normal skin, aversion to heat, extreme hunger, and good digestion, prefers cold food and cold drinks, does not like to skip meals, tendency to red hair, freckles, and moles, works systematically and in an organized way, average perception and memory, good speaker and sharp intellect, more adventurous and courageous character prone to impatience, easily excitable. SpaDreams - Original Ayurveda Guidebook Health & Disease Main Features of the Kapha Type: Sturdy and heavier build, tendency to smooth and oily skin, light feeling of hunger and slow digestion, strong rather dark hair, strength and endurance, approaches things methodically and slowly, calm and balanced personality, slow learner, good long-term memory, deep and long sleep, hard to get worked up. The characteristics and properties of the different constitutional types listed are, of course, only a selection. Only an experienced Ayurvedic physician can create a comprehensive analysis of your constitution. Health nad disease in Ayurveda In Ayurvedic teachings, the dynamic balance of the doshas is essential for health. When Vata, Pitta and Kapha are fully functional and their interaction functions well, balance prevails in the organism: The person is healthy. If one or more doshas get off balance, this results first in mood disorders and, in the longer run, in illnesses. But how can doshas become imbalanced? Since our body is closely interwoven with its environment, according to ayurvedic understanding, we are constantly exposed to influences that alter the balance of the doshas. All changes in our environment such as daytime and seasons, food and weather, work and sleep, stress and all actions affect our well-being and can bring the doshas out of balance. The goal of any ayurvedic treatment is to restore the balance of the doshas and to detect and treat disorders as early as possible, that is, before the outbreak of a disease. Initially, only relatively small changes in diet or individual Ayurvedic treatments like an oil massage to return to the original balance are sufficient. If the problem has progressed, an original ayurvedic treatment proves itself as very effective with focus on Panchakarma. EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC AYURVEDA: ORIGINAL AYURVEDA TREATMENT „PANCHAKARMA“ „„Panchakarma“ is the name given to a special Ayurvedic cleansing treatment („fivefold purification“), which rids the body of harmful deposits and restores balance of the doshas. Areas of application for an original Ayurvedic treatment on Panchakarma base can be: rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases, chronic headaches, anxiety and insomnia, stress, burnout, chronic infection of the bronchial tubes and sinuses, metabolic disorders, elevated blood lipids, adult-onset diabetes, allergies, post-treatment of severe operations and after chemotherapy, tinnitus, and high blood pressure In order to achieve ideal treatment results, we recommend that you schedule at least two, ideally three, weeks of Panchakarma therapy. SpaDreams - Original Ayurveda Guidebook 4 Authentic Ayurveda Diagnosis Upon your arrival at the hotel or resort, an extensive checkup first occurs by an Ayurvedic physician who uses various methods such as pulse diagnosis. The Ayurvedic physician can accurately determine via the pulse, in what state your doshas are and where there is an imbalance. By a conversation as well as the assessment of your physical characteristics such as skin, hair, nails and eyes, he will determine your constitutional type and also create a custom treatment plan based on this information. His job is to select the best for you from the plethora of possible applications of Panchakarma therapy and to steadily monitor and adapt therapy during treatment. Treatments The Panchakarma therapy is divided into three main phases: • Purvakarma - Preparatory Measures • Panchakarma - The Five Main Treatments • Paschatkarma - Post-Treatment Purvakarma – Preparatory Measures IIn the first, preparatory phase, the doshas and the associated metabolic waste products (Ama) in the tissue are activated. This is done first by using ayurvedic herbs and spices (Agni 5 Diepana-Pachana). In addition, oily substances are used, which are administered internally and externally. For internal use, you take the morning purified and partially medicated butter, called ghee. The ghee penetrates into the cells where it liberates the disturbed doshas. In the phase of external application, you are massaged with soothing oils. Due to the oil massage, toxins stored in the tissue are excreted. Among the most important massages are the full-body massages (Abhyanga), the full-body peeling massage with a mixture of barley and chickpea flour (Udvartana) and the dry full body synchronous massage with raw silk gloves (Garshana). In addition to these forms of massage, other preparatory measures include a number of oil treatments such as Shirodhara oil affusion (Snehana). At the end of the first phase, the toxins • In order to re dissolved by the oil treatments are flushed out of the tissue that you can with the aid of highly sweaty measures such as herbal so steam Ayurvedic hea treatments and transported into the gastro-intestinal tract offers a transp (Swedana). sive package t Panchakarma - Five Time Cleansing travel compon Ayurvedic foo Subsequently, with the help of effective cleaning techniques and re of Panchakarma, all excessive doshas released from theatments tisas medical car sue cells are rejected as toxins. For this purpose, five different • An original A methods are used: 1. Vamana - therapeutically induced vomiting 2. Virechana - laxative therapy 3. Vasti – enteric enema 4. Nasya - nasal and sinuses treatment 5. Raktamokshana - blood purification therapy It has to be said that elements such as the therapeutic vomiting or blood purification therapy, particularly in Western patients, are more rarely or never used. The purification is, in most cases, by purging (Virechana) or performed as an enema (Vasti). SpaDreams - Original Ayurveda Guidebook Panchakarma Pashatkarma – Post Treatment Die Wirkung einer Panchakarma-Therapie entfaltet sich vor allem in der Phase der Regeneration danach. Mit den Maßnahmen des Paschatkarma werden Körper und Geist nach der intensiven Behandlung mit bestimmten Pflanzenrezepturen, leichten Ölmassagen und auf den Konstitutionstyp ausgerichteter Aufbaukost gestärkt. Auch Rasayana, die wohltuenden Anwendungen der ayurvedischen Verjüngungskur sowie Yoga und Meditation spielen in der Nachbehandlung eine wichtige Rolle. Diet An extremely important role in balancing the doshas in a elieve you and Panchakarma therapy assumes the diet. Ayurveda attributes n focus an onimportant your therapeutic significance to digestive capacity alth, SpaDreams (Agni). It is considered to be „life flame,“ turning the food into parent, all-incluthe body‘s own energy and structural components. „Agni“ is that includes alleven more importance than the type of food to be granted nents: arrival, digested. They should be balanced and especially meet an od, Ayurvedic tre- constitutional type. Balanced, in the Ayurvedic individual’s emediessense, as well means all flavors (sweet, sour, salty, hot, bitter, tart (or re and yoga. astringent)) must be included. In the context of an original Ayurveda tre- treatment, your therapist will create a food plan Ayurvedic specially tailored to your body type. SpaDreams Quality Criteria Original Ayurveda Treatment with SpaDreams – Our quality criteria - Since its foundation over 35 years ago, SpaDreams has established itself as a leader in healthcare holidays through high quality services, personalized service and a high level of advisory competence. For over 20 years, we offer original Ayurvedic treatments. During this time the Ayurveda program has been continuously extended and meets the highest quality standards: • SpaDreams attaches great importance to the distinction between original Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Wellness. Single, gentle Ayurvedic treatments such as oil treatments or massages are referred to as „Ayurveda Wellness“ and are administered without prior medical diagnosis for regeneration, rejuvenation or purely to feel good. All hotels and resorts we offer are marked appropriately in the SpaDreams catalog depending on whether they offer original Ayurveda or Ayurvedic Wellness. • All our hotels and resorts offering original Ayurveda, for example, in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates but also in Poland and Germany, are specialized in Ayurveda. • The treatments of the original Ayurvedic are carried out under the supervision of an experienced Ayurvedic physician. • At the beginning of Ayurveda treatment, the doctor creates an individual treatment plan for you after a comprehensive initial examination. • With all our Ayurveda hotels and resorts, we have long-standing contacts and secure jointly directly on site regular quality standards. Through continuous cooperation, trust has arisen between SpaDreams and its partners from which you benefit from the best service before and during the treatment. • In order to relieve you and so that you can focus on your Ayurvedic health, SpaDreams offers a transparent, all-inclusive package that includes all travel components: arrival, Ayurvedic food, Ayurvedic treatments and remedies as well as medical care and yoga. • An original Ayurveda treatment should be carefully prepared. We are happy to help you there! Our team of experts will advise you individually and help you in selecting an appropriate treatment. SpaDreams - Original Ayurveda Guidebook 6 Glossary A brief glossary of key Ayurveda terminology: Abhyanga: full body massage with warm oil Agni: digestive fire; universal principle, which refers to both the metabolic activity and the human vitality Ama: metabolic waste products and toxins deposited in the cells. Pitta: Dosha derived from the element of fire; responsible for digestive and metabolic processes and the heat balance Dhatu: body tissue; there are seven different types of tissue distinguished. Shrotas: body channels that serve for transport of material. Dosha: Bioenergetic regulation system that determines the functioning of the human organism. There are three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Udvarthana: full body rub massage with a slurry of oils and cereals, which is performed simultaneously by two therapists Garshan: full body dry massage with raw silk gloves Ghee: heated and melted butter fat; considered to be the elixir of life. Vasti: cleansing enemas Kapha: the Dosha derived from the elements of water and earth; responsible for body structure and fluid balance. Prana: life-giving respiratory and nervous energy Vata: derived from the elements of air and space Dosha: responsible for the motion sequences in the body. Regulates the activity of mind and body and controls the other two dosha Marma: connection point between matter and consciousness; on the skin, there are 107 marma points that can be stimulated by touch. Nasya: one of the treatments of Panchakarma. Consists of a series of oil massages, herbal steam bath of the head, compresses and nasal irrigation Ojas: fine material metabolic end product that is produced with proper digestion Panchakarma: Ayurvedic cleansing treatment that rids the body of harmful deposits and restores the balance of the doshas. Pinda Sweda: Full body massage with warm rice cereal decoction 7 Bibliography: Scherer, Dieter: The big book of Ayurveda: Health in line of our energies, Heinrich Hugendubel publishing, 2002 Schrott, MD Ernst: Ayurveda for every day: The gentle healing art for Perfect Health and wellfare– The latest practice book, Wilhelm Goldmann publishing, 14. ed., 2002 Schrott, MD Ernst/Schachinger, MD Wolfgang (publishing): Ayurveda Manual – Fundamentals and treatments: Understandings the traditional healing practicallz explained, Karl F. Haug publishing, 2005 Schutt, Karin: Ayurveda – Feeling young for a lifetime, 6th edition, Gräfe and Unzer publishing, 2004 Kirschner, Monika/Schwertfeger, Bärbel: The Ayurveda Boom – Insidertipps and background information, Egmont vgs publishing 2004
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