The healing art of Ayurveda has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. Through diet, nutrition, life style, sleep and spirituality, Ayurveda guides us to achieve individual balance and harmony. Its name comes from the Sanskrit words “ayu,” or daily life (including mind, body, senses and soul) and “veda,” or knowledge without doubt.

Ayurveda defines health as “balance between the microcosm and the macrocosm” and it offers many methods to promote this balance. The first of these is understanding one’s constitution, or dosha. Each of us consists of five elements -- earth, fire, water, air and ether -- in specific proportions that define a unique dosha. These elements are also present in everything around us, including food, herbs, weather and relationships. To optimize health, we maintain or restore these proportions by increasing or limiting the presence of particular elements within our bodies.

Our senses guide this process by helping us to understand this balance and to recognize what elements we may need in order to regain it. For instance, if we are continually frustrated with ourselves or others, it may result from an excess of the fire element. When we sense this, we can feel the need for more of the water element and invite this into our lives by avoiding spicy foods, or by taking long walks next to shady streams. Refining our senses to recognize these needs is a key to Ayurveda. In addition, there are some basic techniques that benefit all doshas.

The first is a healthy diet. Different foods provide different elements – for example, dairy products provide water; nuts, earth; chilies, fire; and sugar, air. Each person’s ideal proportions of these foods depend on his or her dosha. But everyone benefits from avoiding artificial stimulants such as coffee, black tea, drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Yoga asana is another universal technique, although many styles exist and no one style is best for all types of people. Developing a personal exercise and meditation practice that matches your needs is an important step in your journey toward health. Listen to the results -- your senses will tell you if it’s right. For example, if your practice leaves you feeling dull or too relaxed to function optimally, it may contain too many poses related to the water element (long seated postures). You could practice it only before sleep, or balance it with fire (flowing) and earth (standing) poses. Or, if you find yourself sore or feeling aggressive after yoga, your practice may contain too much of the fire element and should be balanced with more water poses. Observe your sensations and develop a yoga practice that leaves your heart open, your body strong and supple, and your mind calm.

The third beneficial technique is the art of Abhyangam, or Ayurvedic massage, which involves the external application of herb-infused oils to the body using optimum pressure. The oils penetrate the skin and carry the herbal essences deep into the body to nourish, rejuvenate and cleanse internal systems. Ayurvedic massage involves circular motions that aid in muscle relaxation and increase the circulation of lymph fluid, which increases flow of oxygen, glucose and protein to the body tissues. Massage is a daily ritual for many in Indian culture; weekly treatments, at the least, are recommended for all doshic types. Self-massage is also important, especially at daybreak, before showering. To create a medicinal oil, blend equal parts of sandalwood, turmeric and vetiver powders in a base of sesame oil and apply in circular motions to entire body. To remove the oil, gently exfoliate with channa (chickpea flour) while showering. The warming oils, herbs, stroking motions and exfoliation invite in all the elements and promote balance in people of all doshas. Life offers us many opportunities and techniques to increase our health and well-being. As we pursue them, we refine our senses and ultimately learn what we need to optimize our individual balance and vitality. Mastering this process is the art of Ayurveda.

Misty Moon-Krantz, LMP, has studied extensively in the healing arts, including massage, herbs, yoga, Pilates and dance.

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