“The Science of Life”
Ayurveda is considered one of the world’s oldest healing sciences, rich with universally applicable principles for the individual’s daily life. Ayurveda covers all the facets of human life, reaching far beyond the simple idea that health is the absence of disease.
The Sanskrit word Ayurveda means “science of life.” Ayu is “life and longevity”, while Veda is “knowing and wisdom”. This beautiful system of holistic medicine originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, and is still practiced today throughout the world.
Ayurveda is based on the timeless wisdom of the rishis – ancient enlightened beings who realized this science through meditation and introspection.
It is very helpful to understand the philosophy of Ayurveda in order to receive a deeper experience from the practices of its sister, Yoga. Rishis understood how the cosmic consciousness (source of whole existence) manifests itself through Shiva (Purusha) and Shakti (Prakruti) into all things, living and inanimate alike.
Purusha is formless, and acts as a witness through passive awareness, while Prakruti is active awareness, creating all forms in the universe.
The rishis taught that consciousness manifests as life through the 5 Basic Elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. The five basic elements are present in all matter as energy with different levels of vibration. Consciousness starts the existence cycle from the unmanifested state, and thorough the Aum vibration, the Ether element first appears. Its subtle movement gives birth to Air, which in turn by friction ultimately manifests Fire. Next comes Water from Fire melting subtle elements and with cooling turns into the densest element, Earth.
Excerpt from the Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Manual by Cosmin Mahadev Singh
For more information on Ayurveda join us for our regular workshops. RYK Yoga and Meditation Center offers a large variety of organic Ayurvedic products in Las Vegas, NV.
