Ayurvedic therapies or Ayurveda is an ancient holistic healing system. Developed more than 3000 years back, Ayurveda believes in the goodness of health and wellness of the human body and a proper balance between mind body as well the spirit. The Ayurvedic therapies promote good health of a person.
According to Ayurveda, human body is made of five essential elements: the universal elements of air, space, fire, earth and water. These elements together form the three supreme life forces, called the ‘doshas’. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha and they control the human body. There are Ayurvedic therapies which aim at enhancing the proper functioning and well being of the three ‘doshas’ and thus, the human body.
Ayurvedic Therapies and Their Kinds
Some of these Ayurvedic therapies include:
1. Shodhana Therapy
This therapy aims at eradication of causative factors of somatic and psychosomatic diseases. The Shodhana therapy is an internal and external purification of the body. The practices carried out in this therapy include Panchkarma and Pre-panchkarma. Panchkarma enhances metabolism of a person It has purification as well as therapeutic benefits for the human body. Shodhana therapy is helpful in treating neurological disorders, musclo-skeletal issues, vascular, respiratory diseases and degenerative disorders.
2. Pathya Vyavastha
This includes changes in diet, activity, habits and emotional status of a person. This is done to improve the pathogenetic processes of the human body.
3. Shamana
This therapy includes suppression of vitiated humours or ‘doshas’. Shamana is the process by which the disturbed energies in body subsides or returns to the normal state without creating any other energies. This therapy is implemented through appetisers, digestives, regular exercise and exposure to sun and fresh air. Palliatives and sedatives are also used in this therapy.
4. Satvavajaya
Satvavajaya is concerned with mental disturbances. The therapy aims at restraining the disturbed mind from desires and inculcates courage, memory and concentration in the mind.
5. Rasayana
This therapy promotes strength and vitality to the body. This treatment aims at enhancing memory, intelligence, immunity of the body, the five senses, youth preservation, glow, and to increase optimum energy capacity of the body. It also prevents premature damage of body tissues and promotes bodily health
6. Nidan Parivarjan
Parivarjan is to avoid the intake of the disease causing factors present in diet and lifestyle. It aims at refraining from precipitating or infuriating disease factors.
What Entails Ayurvedic Therapy?
An Ayurvedic practitioner/doctor will create a detailed treatment plan for you, consisting of spa, therapies and other sessions. The practitioner will take into account your physical and emotional state, your core life force, and the balance between all the elements. Ayurvedic treatments and therapies aim at cleansing the body of any undigested food, which can remain in the body and cause illnesses. The cleansing process in Ayurvedic therapy is designed to erase the symptoms of any illness and restore harmony and balance in the body.
How to Choose the Ideal Therapy?
Choosing the ideal therapy is tricky in itself! Many can be lured with appealing images of a certain therapy and opt for it to find out it is not best for that person. As such, first-timers should always consult an Ayurvedic practitioner and get know-how of all therapies, the effects and why it should be implemented. Discussing one’s lifestyle and diet with the consultant to choose the best Ayurveda therapy is a great way to go! A complete medical consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor is helpful to discover the dosha and the correct herbal oils required for that person. For first timers, every Ayurvedic therapy begins with a deep core massage, called the Abhyanga followed by the in-depth therapy and regular sessions of any therapy the person chooses.
How to Choose the right Therapist?
While choosing the right therapist, you should keep the following points in mind:
- Credentials of the Institution:
Always enquire about the credentials, professional reputation and reviews of the Ayurvedic institution.
Ayurvedic therapies should always be delivered by a well trained professional staff. Massage therapies, if done without care and improper techniques can harm the person.
- Accommodation Facilities:
Since most Ayurvedic therapies include prolonged sessions of days, the person would require to stay for a day or two. As such, enquiring about accommodation facilities is a must.
Always enquire about the cost of Ayurvedic therapies. There are many genuine Ayurvedic institutions which provide good Ayurvedic therapies at affordable costs, rather than the salons quoting high prices in the name of Ayurvedic treatments.
- Time Required for Therapy:
This is essential to schedule the stay and have an idea of how long the entire session would take for the therapy treatment.
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