Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach to Life Beyond Physical Health

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that originated in India. It is a life science that focuses on promoting balance and harmony between the mind, body, and spirit. According to Ayurveda, we all have a unique balance of three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas determine our physical, emotional, and mental characteristics, as well as our strengths and weaknesses. By understanding our dosha, we can make lifestyle choices that support our natural constitution and promote optimal health and well-being.

Living an abundant life through Ayurveda begins with understanding your dosha and making lifestyle choices that support your unique constitution. Here are some tips for living an abundant life through Ayurveda and the dosha:

For a Vata predominant body-type, it could simply mean an abundance of energy and creativity to complete the tasks at hand. For a Kapha, it could mean a state of deep rest whereas, for a Pitta body, it could mean exercising their naturally laser focused mental prowess.

According to Ayurveda, it is the abundance of energy in the form of vitality that helps a person achieve anything that she or he might desire.

An abundance of Ojas leads to the feeling of bliss. It is the key to helping you move your body in a better way, improve the quality of your sleep and the ability to eat different types of food.

Ojas is the essence of vigor and strength. It is also called the nectar of life.

Today’s fast-paced environment forces us to tap into the reservoir until it is depleted. Ojas can be described as the vitality that is entrenched deep within each cell of our body.

How is Ojas Created?

Ojas can only be formed if digestion takes place completely, day in and day out. Consistently. The formation of Ojas entails the breakdown of food, the assimilation of nutrients and the effective elimination of toxins. If these three systems are working properly then the Dhatus or the tissues of the body will also be completely well-formed.

Once all of the Dhatus are nourished, any Aahar Ras or nutrient dense fluid that is leftover will then be converted to Ojas. This Ojas is what creates Vim, Vitality and Vigor in the body.

Elevated Ojas creates a natural ability to maintain homeostasis, a strong immune system, strength, stamina, and a natural enthusiasm.

A person with good Ojas is serene, healthy, creative, energetic, and youthful in appearance. These are the people we come across in our day-to-day lives that simply shine a light on our routine. A person who is deficient is timid, weak, anxious, lacks vitality, has a poor complexion, gets sick easily and has a general deficient appearance.

How to Build Ojas

The body is at its most vulnerable when Ojas is low. When you have abundant Ojas, you sleep better, you feel energized, and your immune system is stronger.

In the post-pandemic era, more and more people have become increasingly aware about the importance of building a strong immune system.

Some practical tools that you can implement in your daily lives include ensuring that you get enough mental and physical rest, balancing your Agni, spending time in nature, and moving your body regularly.

Getting Enough Mental and Physical Rest

Overstimulation is a major deterrent to the process of building Ojas.

In a state of hyper stimulation and overactivity, the body does not get enough time to rest and relax. There is a reason why millennials are increasingly feeling the pain of burnout. Essentially, the digestive fire gets overworked and fizzles out, thus hindering the process of digestion which is essential for the creation of Ojas.

Abundant mental and physical rest enables the body to rest, reset, detoxify, and rejuvenate.

Mental health is crucial especially after bouts of anxiety, worry and over-intellectualization. Slow down, take a break and step away from all the screens. Read an inspiring book or just lie down on the couch. Resting is also an activity. It is essential to be “unproductive” so that your body can create the abundant energy that can help you unlock your true potential.

You can learn about the different types of rest that are essential to the human body, according to Ayurveda, in this article.

Balancing Your Agni

Thus, balancing your Agni, that is the digestive fire, is crucial. Proper digestion helps get rid of all the Ama i.e., the toxins that accumulate in the body. When the body has a regular and consistent rhythm of using the Agni to digest, gain nutrients and eliminate toxins, it is in a state of balance. That’s when you get Ojas in its purest form.

Agni and Ojas are in a symbiotic relationship. It is precisely why ensuring that the digestive fire is strong and balanced is crucial not only for the creation of Ojas but also for its consistent maintenance.

Spending Time in Nature and Sunlight

Human beings, like all animals, follow the circadian rhythm. The body’s internal clock naturally knows when it is time to work hard and when it is time to rest. However, the constant notifications and lights from our screens have changed the body’s perception of day and night. This has led to an imbalance in the energy levels.

Spending time in nature and sunlight helps release endorphins which are essential not only to make the body feel energized but also boost the mood. There is a reason why you instantly feel happier after a short brisk walk, even if it's just around the block in your neighborhood.

Moving Your Body Regularly

Skin is the largest organ of the body. According to Ayurvedic Chikitsa, the best way to release toxins is through the nearest pores. Sweating is essential to the process of eliminating ama. Consistent exercise helps you release accumulated ama through sweating.

Body movement helps to move mental and emotional energy around and helps blood circulation from your heart to the brain, digestive organs, and limbs.

Exercise routines such as yoga and daily stretching also enable you to develop flexibility in your limbs, dissipate tension and help fluids move through your Dhatus–the site of Ojas creation.

Moreover, your mind gets used to the systematic stress which in turn builds your strength and resilience.

Practicing Pranayama or Deep Breathwork

Breath is the essence of prana–life. Abundant breathing is the key to ensuring a long life. Studies show that life-long meditators have a better immune system and resiliency. It is all because of mindful breathing. When you are mindful of your breath and which organ you feel it in, within your body, your mind automatically becomes attuned to your body.

Thus, you are breathing life into your Dhatus and nourishing them. Breathing mindfully through Pranayama exercises is an act of self-care and nourishment which leads to higher levels of Ojas.

In conclusion, Ayurveda is a life science that offers a holistic approach to health and well-being. By understanding your dosha and making lifestyle choices that support your natural constitution, you can live an abundant life that is full of health, happiness, and vitality. By following these simple tips, you can start incorporating Ayurvedic principles into your life today and begin to experience the benefits of this ancient system of natural healing.