Ayurveda is comprehensive system of healthcare that has worked for millenia. 
 

Perhaps you've taken a 'What is my dosha' quiz? These are fun, and good to give a little insight, but this is just the beginning of the ayurvedic process. Here's one in case you haven't tried it:
Dosha Assessment Quiz

​

Ayurveda is wonderful because it helps us to understand ourselves more completely. It empowers us with deep understanding of our individuality, and therefore what we require personally to maintain a healthy balance. This sort of information cannot be googled or delivered by AI. And once you have this knowledge you can often bring yourself back into balance with simple adjustments to diet and lifestyle.

​

Ayurveda is brillliantly holistic, and considers all facets of a human being in healthcare. It is well accepted that the mind and body interact and impact each other, but that our health is directly affected by our habits (vasanas), deep subconscious impressions (samskaras), emotions (manas) and the strength of our intelligence (buddhi). All of these facets work together, and when the interaction between them is harmonious, we achieve a state of internal peace and satisfaction with life.

​

The ayurvedic definition of health is to have ease and an absence of discomfort in body, well directed senses and a contented mind. And, to know our place and purpose in our life and the world.

​

Ayurveda considers everything to be medicine when applied at the right time, to the right person and in the correct dose. Treatment suggestions can involve dietary suggestions (ahara), the use of herbs (aushadi), oils and steam (snehana and svedana), exercise (vihara), yoga, pranayama (regulated breathing exercises), self-care procedures, the creation of a personalised daily routine (dinacharya), seasonal regimens (rtucharya), detoxifying practices (shodhana), bodywork treatments, emotional and mental supports (sattva vijaya), spiritual suggestions (sattva vijaya) or using natural elements or environments to create balance. Treatments are often as unique as the person receiving them.

​

My role as an ayurvedic practitioner is to educate you about the core concepts of ayurveda and how they apply to you as an individual. I will also make suggestions about how you can take control of your health and of course support you along the way.

​

Rasa

The word 'rasa' doesn't have a simple translation. It can mean taste, water, juice, essence, nectar, mood or an emotional state that is full of relishable flavour, or that moves us. It is like an invisible substance in everything that gives it a sense of meaning and flavour. 
 

There are six rasas, or tastes described in ayurveda - sweet (madhu), salty (lavana), sour (amla), pungent (katu), astringent (kshaya) and bitter (tikta). Not only do they have a unique taste on our tongue, but also particular effects on our body and emotions. This knowledge is essential to keep us in balance with our eating habits.
 

There is a branch of ayurvedic treatment called, 'rasayana', which refers to treatments that revive and restore us, slow the ageing process and impart strength, vitality and flavour into our life.

 

Rasa also refers to all the fluids circulating through the body, and specifically the plasma portion of the blood. In the body, this rasa is the initial source of nourishment (prinanam), being the first transformation of food toward becoming an integrated part of our body.

And, in the wider Vedic field rasa is a sentiment, or feeling full of flavour that moves us deeply.
 

We all seek and need rasa in our lives and ayurveda has special ways to help us find it!

​