Ayurvedic Terms

The word Vata means “that which moves” so it is the principle of kinetic energy in the body. Vata is the initiator of all forms of activity. It is important in the communication network of the body – from sense organ to brain and consciousness, from tissue to tissue and cell to cell. It is responsible for perception (including pain), assimilation and reaction. It brings a thought from memory to consciousness and transfers current experience into memories. It inspires speech and is the base of laughter and exaltation. At the level of the physical body it is responsible for all micro and macro movement.

There are five sub-types of Vata:

Prana Vata - Governs inhalation, perception through the senses and governs the mind. 
Udana Vata - Governs speech, self expression, effort, enthusiasm, strength and vitality. 
Samana Vata - Governs peristaltic movement of the digestive system. 
Vyana Vata - Governs circulation, heart rhythm, locomotion. 
Apana Vata - Governs all downward impulses (urination, elimination, menstruation, etc.)

Vata – represents momentum. It is responsible for all the bodily activities and sensations. It controls the movement of blood through the circulatory system, breathing, the delivery of nutrients to the cells and the removal & excretion of waste products.

Location – Colon, bladder, thighs, hips, legs & kidneys.

Qualities – Rough, dry, cold, mobile, light, quick, clear, astringent and expansive

Kapha is the cohesive energy in the body. It smoothes out problems, lubricates and provides support when needed. It gives mental strength and resistance to disease. It gives firmness to joints while keeping them lubricated. It also enhances sexual potency.

There are five sub-types of kapha: 

Kledaka Kapha - Governs moistening & liquefying of the food in the initial stages of digestion. 
Avalambaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of the heart and lungs. 
Bodhaka Kapha - Governs perception of taste, lubricating and moistening of food. 
Tarpaka Kapha - Governs nourishment of sense & motor organs. 
Shleshaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of all joints.

Kapha – provides substance and support. It gives strength and stability, both physically and psychologically. It enhances resistance to disease and promotes the healing process.

Location - Lungs, upper part of the stomach, heart, tongue and oesophagus

Qualities - Cold, Damp, Dense, Heavy, Oily, Slow, Sweet, Stable and Moist

Ayurveda recognises three primary energies or Doshas in the body, Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Together they regulate every physiological and psychological characteristic from basic cellular processes to the most complex biological functions.

When these forces are in a state of natural balance the defence mechanism of the body works at peak efficiency. But when this balance is disturbed due to an incompatible diet, lifestyle, lack or excess of exercise or mental stress, then the body's immunity can be affected. This encourages the growth of bacteria and viruses which will cause sickness and disease.

Pitta is responsible for all types of transformations in the body. Pitta controls the digestion of food and is responsible for hunger, appetite and thirst. It converts light rays that fall on the retina into electric impulses. In the brain, Pitta is responsible for comprehension and the analysis of data. It controls emotion like anger, fear and bravado. It also gives sheen to the skin. 

There are five sub-types of Pitta:

Pachaka Pitta - Governs digestion of food which is broken down into nutrients and waste. 
Ranjaka Pitta - Governs formation of red blood cells. Gives colour to blood and stools. 
Sadhaka Pitta - Governs emotions such as memory, intelligence and digestion of thoughts. 
Alochaka Pitta - Governs visual perception. 
Bhrajaka Pitta - Governs lustre and complexion, temperature and pigmentation of the skin.

Pitta – represents metabolism. It governs digestion and metabolic transformation of nutrients into biologically usable forms. It also imparts the capacity to absorb ideas and impressions and bestows intelligence and an enthusiasm for life.

Location -Small intestines, liver, gallbladder lower part of the stomach, spleen and pancreas

Qualities -Hot, Sharp, Penetrating, Light, Liquid, Sour, Oily and Fleshy

The current state of imbalance in the doshas, this can change due to diet, lifestyle, and environment.

Depletion of your immune essence.

Brain tonic

Copper Water

Copper

"Channels" or "pathways" that transport vital substances like nutrients, waste, and energy throughout the body, encompassing everything from visible vessels (like blood vessels) to microscopic cellular pathways, with blockages leading to disease.

Gunas are the three fundamental qualities or forces — Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas — that constitute nature (Prakriti) and influence all existence, including our psychological, emotional, and physical states in Yoga, Ayurveda, and Hindu philosophy, representing harmony, passion, and inertia, respectively, that constantly interact to create the manifest world.

Sattvic (or Sattvik) describes qualities of purity, goodness, balance, and harmony.

Life force

Postures

Breathing exercises

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Oil - but also means "Love" or "Compassion", therefore, the act of Abhyanga (massage) is considered an act of self-love and nurturing.

Daily self-care ritual

Massage

Toxins

Vital energy.

Inertia. Linked to heaviness, ignorance, delusion, laziness, dullness, and attachment to sleep; it binds through negligence and obstruction.

Activity - Characterised by energy, movement, ambition, desire, and restlessness; it binds through attachment to action and craving.

Lactation System (Stanyavaha) – Regulates production of breast milk in women

Mind (Manovaha) – It controls the functioning of all the channels.

Sweat System (Svedavaha) – Regulates body temperature & remove waste products

Urinary System (Mutravaha) – Removes waste products from the body

Excretory System (Purishavaha) – Remove solid waste products from the body

Reproductive System (Sukravaha/Artavaha) - Supplies nutrients to reproductive tissue & removes waste

Nervous System (Majjavaha) - Supplies nutrients to nerve tissue & removes waste products

Skeletal System (Asthivaha) - Supplies nutrients to bone tissue & removes waste products

Adipose System (Medovaha) - Supplies nutrients to fat tissue & removes waste products

Muscular System (Mamsavaha) - Supplies nutrients to muscle tissue & removes waste products

Hemopoietic System (Raktavaha) - Production & maintenance of red blood cells.

Lymphatic System (Rasavaha) - Carries nourishment to all remaining tissues.

Respiratory System (Pranavaha) - Responsible for respiration

Water (Ambuvaha) - Carries water & regulates water metabolism

Digestive System (Annavaha) - Responsible for ingestion & digestion of food, separation & absorption of nutrients and separation of waste products

Ovum (Artava)

Sperm (Shukra)

Bone Marrow and Nerve Tissue (Majja) – It stabilise the nervous system and also cerebrospinal fluid in our brain

Bone Tissue (Asthi) - Supports the body and protects delicate nerve tissue.

Adipose Tissue, Fat (Meda) - Lubricates all parts of the body. Provides nutrition to tendons, ligaments & bones.

Muscle Tissue (Mamsa) - Gives strength & stability to the body & covers and protects all internal organs.

Blood (Rakta) - Carries oxygen to all tissues, strengthening muscle tissue & maintaining the optimum function of the skin and other sense organs.

Plasma, lymph - Nourishes all the other tissues & organs in the body.

Unique body make up, known as Constitution or Prakruti.

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine (BAMS)

Internal medicine (Kaya chikitsa)

Pediatrics and gynecology (Balaroga chikitsa)

Surgery (Shalya chikitsa)

Ear, nose and throat surgery (Shalakya chikitsa)

Toxicology (Agadatantra)

Rejuvenation. Also an elixir or medicinal formulation.

Study of sexual function and reproduction (Vajikarana chikitsa)

Psychiatry (Manasroga chikitsa)

Earth (Prithvi)

Water (Jal)

Fire (Agni or Tej)

Agni in Sanskrit means fire and is used to describe all metabolic functions in our body. All metabolic activity, including digestion, is ruled by Agni.

The digestive power and immune system depends on the proper functioning of Agni.
Agni takes the essence of nourishment from food, helps to carry out the metabolic reactions of the body and helps the immune system by destroying harmful organisms and toxins (Ama).

The state of the digestive fire is one of the most important concepts of Ayurvedic approach to health & wellbeing. It doesn’t matter how organic is the food you consume, if the body cannot metabolize it properly, then it is unable to access the nutrients that the food contains.

When Agni is well balanced, there will be proper digestion, excellent circulation of nutrients & proper elimination of waste products, maintaining a state of good mental and physical health!

To maintain balance of our Agni we have to develop a healthy life style including:

• Proper eating habits

• Proper sleep

• Proper fitness routine

• Control over emotions

Air (Vayu)

Ether or Space (Akash)

The removal of the waste products (Mala)

The five great elements - Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth - (Panchmahabhuta).

Seven bodily tissues (Dhatus)

Prana Vata - Governs inhalation, perception through the senses and governs the mind.

Udana Vata - Governs speech, self expression, effort, enthusiasm, strength and vitality.

Samana Vata - Governs peristaltic movement of the digestive system.

Vyana Vata - Governs circulation, heart rhythm, locomotion.

Apana Vata - Governs all downward impulses (urination, elimination, menstruation, etc.)

Pachaka Pitta - Governs digestion of food which is broken down into nutrients and waste.

Ranjaka Pitta - Governs formation of red blood cells. Gives colour to blood and stools. 

Sadhaka Pitta - Governs emotions such as memory, intelligence and digestion of thoughts.

Alochaka Pitta - Governs visual perception. 

Bhrajaka Pitta - Governs lustre and complexion, temperature and pigmentation of the skin.

Kledaka Kapha - Governs moistening & liquefying of the food in the initial stages of digestion. 

Avalambaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of the heart and lungs. 

Bodhaka Kapha - Governs perception of taste, lubricating and moistening of food. 

Tarpaka Kapha - Governs nourishment of sense & motor organs. 

Shleshaka Kapha - Governs lubrication of all joints.

A classical texts of Ayurveda.

These treatises contain many formulations that are the basis of all Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals. A number of Ayurvedic research institutes around the world have proven the efficacy of these formulations in the treatment of disease.

Ophthalmic preparation (Rasakriya)

Pills (Gulika)

Decoction (Kashaya)

Coarse powder for decoction (Kashaya Churna)

Fine powder (Churna)

Incinerated metals and minerals (Bhasma)

Paste (Lehya)

Medicated Ghee (Ghrita)

Fermented preparations (Asava or Arishta)

What is Panchakarma?

Panchkarma, meaning five (panch) actions (karma), is a unique treatment to Ayurvedic Medicine and is known as one of the most systematic de-toxification and rejuvenation programmes available. Panchkarma helps to restore the body’s intelligence by stabilising the aggravated Doshas – Vata, Pitta & Kapha.

In acute stages of disease, the Panchkarma procedure helps to break down the amalgamation of toxins and removes the aggravated Doshas, which are responsible for all disease. In chronic cases, when toxins have reached the deeper body tissues, Panchkarma is the only health programme available that can systematically & safely remove these deep seated toxins & rejuvenate the body, setting it on the path to health & wellbeing.

Panchakarma is ideal for anyone seeking detoxification, stress relief, rejuvenation, or holistic healing. However, it is not suitable for pregnant women, children, or individuals with certain medical conditions. A consultation with Dr. Ajit is required to determine your suitability.

Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting) – Used to expel aggravated Kapha toxins, which collect in the upper respiratory tract. However, as many people have difficulty in completing this treatment, it is not generally included in the West.

Virchana (Therapeutic Purgation) – Used to expel aggravated Pitta toxins, which collect in the stomach & small intestine. A mild purgative is administered to gently expel these toxins through the bowel.

Basti (Therapeutic Enema) – Used to expel aggravated Vata toxins, which collects in the large intestine & colon. Enemas take two forms.

Nirhua – A cleansing herbal decocted enema that gently collects the aggravated toxins so they can be expelled from the colon

A nourishing medicated oil enema administrated to rejuvenate the depleted tissues in the body.

Nasaya (Therapeutic nasal drops) – Used to expel Vata, Pitta & Kapha toxins. Warm medicated oil is applied to the nasal cavity, followed by warm compresses & massage.

Oleation

After external oleation, a herbalised steam treatment is performed on the body, the time & temperature determined by the nature & severity of the condition. The treatment loosens the sticky toxins that adhere in the body and opens the body’s channels, which allows the oil to penetrate deeper in to the body & to carry the dislodged toxins back into the digestive tract.

Pre-Operative treatments take two forms –
Oleation (Snehana) & Herbalised Steam (Swedana) 
Snehana – Internal & External

Internal – Decoctions of medicated Ghee are consumed to prepare & protect the body’s tissues. They are prepared according to the nature & severity of the condition.

External – Daily synchronised massage from two trained Ayurvedic therapist’s is performed using specially medicated massage oils. The procedure softens the toxins deposited in the body, lubricates the joints, improves lymphatic flow & helps alleviate aggravations of the Vata Dosha (the prime dosha in the body & the first to become unbalanced). Duration of treatment is 60-90 minutes, depending on the client’s need

Swedana – After external oleation, a herbalised steam treatment is performed on the body, the time & temperature determined by the nature & severity of the condition. The treatment loosens the sticky toxins that adhere in the body and opens the body’s channels, which allows the oil to penetrate deeper in to the body & to carry the dislodged toxins back into the digestive tract.