What is Ayurveda

History of Ayurveda

Initially, much of the extensive knowledge on Ayurveda was passed down by Indian seers (Rishis) in oral form from one generation to the next. It was not until much later that the Ayurvedic teachings were written down and are known today as the Vedas. These ancient, Indian scriptures, written in Sanskrit date back to the second millennium before Christ. The Vedas are also the original texts for the teachings and practice of Yoga.

Three of the ancient scriptures, which are between 2,500 and 1,200 years old, concern themselves with the Ayurvedic medicine and are of great importance: “Charaka Samhita,” “Sushuruta Samhita,” and “Ashthanga Angrahal Samhita.” These Sanskrit writings contain, among other things, information about the composition of the human body, topics, including pathogenic microorganisms and hygiene, and knowledge about surgical techniques.

2500 years ago, Sushuruta, the Indian physician and first world-famous surgeon, explained the Ayurvedic model of health:

One who is established in self, who has balanced doshas, balanced agni, properly formed dhatus, proper elimination of malas, well-functioning bodily processes and whose mind, soul and senses are happy is called a healthy person.

Sushruta Samhita, Sutrastahana, 15.38

The Doshas

The traditional Ayurveda treatment starts with an initial consultation with a pulse diagnosis (Nadi) and an assessment of the guest’s comprehensive medical history. The constitutional check-up and other examinations provide information about each guest and his/her individual reading of the bio-energies of Vata, Pitta, Kapha, which is relevant for the further Ayurvedic treatment.

Prakriti is one’s unique, natural constitution, with which we are born; an inborn metabolic pattern in a state of balance. Each person has a specific combination of the doshas. Though everyone has some of each, most people tend to have an abundance of one or two of the doshas, which has an impact on the person’s physical and mental characteristics.

The Sanskrit word “Dosha,” literally translated, means “fault” or “effect” (“that which darkens”). These doshas control all the tissues of the body (dhatus) and affect your health and can cause diseases, when they are out of balance.

All Vata, Pitta, and Kapha [the tridoshas], in normal state, endow the person with unaffected sense organs, strength and complexion and happiness and also with a long life-span as virtue, wealth and enjoyment pursued properly endow the person with great well-being here and in the world hereafter.

Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, 8.13

You will meet with your Ayurveda-physician for daily consultations, which are the basis for your individual treatment and diet plan. The doctors will support and monitor the progression of your treatment. The Ayurvedic treatment will strengthen your immune system, improve your circulation, purify your energies, and ensure inner balance.

WHOM IS AYURVEDA FOR?

A traditional Ayurveda cure heals the body comprehensively and relieves it of any many illnesses.
These include: diabetes, stomach irritation, digestive disorders, as well as problems of the skin, weight or the circulation, high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, or back pain.

But even mental suffering can be treated with Ayurveda. Stress, severe nervousness, burn-out, migraine, depression, or sleep disorders can be significantly alleviated by our cures.

Your Individual Panchakarma Cure

Snehana (oleation therapy) and swedana (body heating) are treatment modalities common to Ayurvedic clinical practice and correct the imbalance of the three doshas and prepares the body to receive the specialized cleansing treatment. This is followed by the actual elimination of the toxic substances from the body, effects the realignment of the doshas, and boosts the regeneration of the body. Depending on your individual pathology, we recommend you schedule your Panchakarma treatment for 21 days or longer, a minimum is 14 days. If you plan for a shorter stay at our resort, we will discuss your further options and Panchakarma therapies in the initial consultation.

The Initial Consultation

The Holistic medicine of Ayurveda requires a whole-body approach to healthcare and, does not just look at individual symptoms. Many diseases can be treated if you avoid foods and activities that cause these diseases. Therefore, it is very relevant to learn all information about you, including your previous and current illnesses, your diet – when and what you eat –, your daily routine, sleeping behaviour, physical activity, intolerances, your profession, social environment, fears, injuries, and many other factors.

Depending on your illnesses, we measure your blood pressure, check the condition of your eyes, skin, hair, finger nails, and tongue, listen to your voice and breathing and question you about your urine and faeces. Pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha) is important to learn more about your health and medical history. For this, the doctor will place three fingers to your pulse and will detect your combination of the doshas.
The constitutional check-up gives each guest his / her individual reading of the bio-energies of Vata, Pitta, Kapha. We will further discuss your individual treatment plan and which medications you will receive. Outside of the scheduled consultations, you can meet up with the doctors for additional information and further consultations on your treatment progress.

Ayurvedic Medicine

In Ayurveda everything is considered to be medicine if it cures an illness without causing new ones. Primarily, we try to realign your doshas with the right dietary plan (“rasas – the six tastes”). For the medical therapy we only use herbal medicinal products from verified manufacturers.

Individual Panchakarma and Ayurveda Treatments

There is a large number of Ayurvedic therapies. Our doctors will select your individual treatments and therapies that are conducive to your health. Depending on your needs and wishes, some of your treatments will be more intensive, some lighter and milder. These treatments are crucial to remove toxins, energetical blockages, and disharmonies in your body, mind, and soul. The quietness during the physical treatments in combination with the stimulation and massaging of the reflex zones leads to your body’s deep relaxation and inner harmony.

Benefits of our Ayurvedic Therapies

• Elimination of all toxic substances
• Restoring the inner balance
• Intensive cleansing of the energies
• Regeneration of all bodily tissues and organs
• Strengthening the immune system
• Reducing stress, improving sleep
• Stimulation of the blood and lymphatic circulation
• Improvement of digestive system
• Healthy and glowing skin and hair
• Reducing inflammation
• Prevention of migraines and headaches

Ayurvedic Massages

Massage is a key part in the therapy and teachings of Ayurveda. The Sanskrit scriptures (Vedas) contain, among other things specific information about the different types of massages and numerous techniques. We administer some of these techniques in our Ayurveda resorts. For many massages we rely on the heavy use of essential, warm oils (Abhyanga); other massages are done with herbal extracts and pastes. The combination of oils and herbs is prepared and blended to fit your type of dosha.

Oils are applied to detox the skin, but also enter deep into the body tissue, thus promotes healthy circulation and joints. This treatment has a very balancing effect on our body and mind and is excellent for detoxifying your body. Ayurvedic massage therapy also affect the inner organs, such as the heart or lunges. It activates the body’s energy flow and ensure a deep relaxation. In this way, bodily and energetic disorders can be eliminated.

Ayurvedic Diet

In the Ayurvedic teachings nutrition and diet the decisive factor for a successful healing process and healthy life. The Ayurvedic diet provides personalized recommendations about which foods to eat and avoid based on your body. During your stay at our resort in Sri Lanka your meals will be especially prepared to suit your nutritional needs and work with your dosha type and medical conditions and, thus, will vary in quantity and composition.

Regeneration of the Body and Mind

Internationally-recognised studies confirm the success of the Ayurveda cure. The personalized Ayurvedic diet and special procedures of detoxification cleanse the body, strengthen the immune system, and calm the mind. In doing so, illnesses that occur due to an over stressing of body and psyche can be healed. With the Panchakarma cure we can help you treat disorders of the digestive and cardiovascular system, migraines and chronic diseases and even psychological symptoms.

Burnout Prevention – Preventing Everyday Stress

We pay particular attention to the prevention of the burnout syndrome. Especially in the European and Western area, where cases of absolute exhaustion are very common. Burnout is the result of lack of energy and vitality that is all too easy to set in stressful everyday life.

Agni – Restoration of the “Digestive Fire”

One of the main causes of burnout is the limited functional capacity of the digestive system as a result of a wrong diet. Since digestion is directly dependent on the health and state of mind, Ayurvedic treatment starts right here. Studies on endocrinology show that serotonin, the key hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness, is found mostly in the digestive system. Thus, by fully restoring the power of the digestive system, the body successfully regains its complete energy. In addition to increasing the quality of life, Ayurveda also regulates and prevents the processes of premature.

Healing with Lasting Effects

At our Ayurveda resorts, you can expect a profound and long-lasting, positive change in your overall consciousness – optimally integrated into the yoga, qi gong, and meditation lessons of your recreational vacation. The prescribed products are specially prepared for you in the in-house pharmacy. You will gain new joie de vivre, balance, and strength.

Following this, your meals will be prepared to suit you individually. You will dine in harmony with nature and the doshas and experience the culinary delights that appeal to all the senses. During your stay, our Ayurveda resort will teach you to recognize and consider the needs of your own body.