What the heck is Ayurveda?
You are not alone. I get asked this ALL the time. But chances are you have likely encountered turmeric lattes, castor oil packs, or Ashwagandha sleep remedies. These are just glimpses into the ancient world of Ayurveda that is (not so sneakily) making its way into modern lives.
Ayur // Life
Veda // Science or Knowledge
Ayurveda means “The Science of Life”, or rather the science how to live within nature’s rhythms, a health science. It is one of the Sister Sciences of Yoga. Both Yoga and Ayurveda shared the same foundations in the Sanskrit language, oral traditions that were written down into the first ayurvedic texts around 7000 years ago.
So why have you never heard of it? You have probably heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) & Acupuncture. These practices have remained the primary health care in China, even with the rise of Western Medicine in the nation. When politics and immigration come into play, globalised access to traditional medicines has remained priority with Governments and China is a major player in this space.
However, the Colonisation of India in the 17th Century suppressed the Traditional practices of Ayurveda (along with Yoga and many other vedic sciences and religious practices). Western medicine became, and remains to this day, the primary health care of India. And whilst Ayurveda is having a resurgence, it is far less known and therefore less of a priority politically.
So… What is it? Ayurveda dives into the blueprint of your unique personality, physical genetic make up and energetic make up, and explores how these interact with your lifestyle, location and social environments. It’s diagnostic approach is vastly different to the west, and can notice patterns and imbalances that may be otherwise unexplained. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on treating isolated symptoms, Ayurveda seeks to understand the root cause of imbalances.
Ayurveda recognises the interplay between your body, mind, and environment and how these influence physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. As you might be able to tell, “balance” does not look the same for everyone. Each of us has our unique blueprint, called Prakruti, and each of us have a unique deviation from this blueprint, call Vikruti. This means that interventions that work for one person may not work for another. By understanding yourself better, you can make informed choices about diet, lifestyle, and natural remedies to restore balance.
While it might seem complex, the core principles of Ayurveda are surprisingly simple to incorporate into daily life. Small, consistent changes can yield significant improvements in your overall well-being. When you work with an Ayurvedic Pracitioner to figure out your gunas(qualities), they are able to provide culinary herbs & recipes, lifestyle advice, home remedies, herbal interventions, yoga, meditation, breathwork and bodywork to specifically address what is going on for you. Your plan might consist of just one of these, or many of them and you can work with your practitioner to discuss which are of interest to you and your lifestyle.
Have more questions? Book for a free online Meet & Greet or come visit our clinic for a consultation.
Nicki is a Hiking Guide, Ayurvedic Pracitioner and Yoga teacher living in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia.
Her programs prioritise playfulness, community, authenticity, and a deep curiosity for self-discovery, connection with others, and exploration the awe-inspiring landscapes surrounding Whistler to craft transformative nature-immersed experiences.
