Marc Halpern - Ayurveda and Yoga: Complete Care for the Body, Mind and Consciousness

Most everyone today is familiar with Yoga. Fewer are familiar with its sister science, Ayurveda. Together, Yoga and Ayurveda offer a complete system of care for body, mind and consciousness. Together, they lead each person toward peace of mind, happiness and optimal health. Ayurveda is the healing side of yoga. It is complete system of Holistic Medicine with specialties in both preventative and clinical medicine.

The list of therapeutic practices utilized by Ayurvedic practitioners is astounding and includes; diet, herbs, lifestyle, color therapy, aroma therapy, sound and music therapy, purification programs and yoga therapies, including meditation, yoga exercise and breathing practices. Using all of these “medicines,” ayurveda is a complete system healthcare. In India, patients with serious diseases go to Ayurvedic hospitals. In the United States, most Ayurvedic care is outpatient but a few centers such as the clinic at the California College of Ayurveda offer limited in-patient care as well.

The human body is much like a plant. When a plant receives everything it needs (the right temperature, soil, water, sunlight) the plant will have a deep rich color and lots of blossoms. Likewise, when a person receives everything she/he needs from their environment, that person will have a deep rich color and fully blossom reaching their full potential. This is the science of Ayurveda. The goal is a fully functional human being that is strong enough to stand up against stress and who body is able to resist disease. Once sick, the goal of ayurveda is to restore the normal physiology of the body and in doing so, support the body to heal itself. What is the ideal environment? Simply put, it is that which your body and mind find balancing. In Ayurveda, we recognize that there is no one environment that is right for everyone.

We are all unique individuals. Ayurveda calls this uniqueness our “constitution”. Your constitution was determined at conception and it is with you for the rest of your life. It determines what will support your body and mind and what will cause you to get out of balance and become sick. Your constitution is your unique physiology. Ayurveda describes three physiological functions: the function of motion; the function of metabolism, and the function of structure. Motion, metabolism and structure define who we are. In the language of Ayurveda these are called the three doshas and they are vata dosha, pitta dosha and kapha dosha respectively. Each of us has more or less of each function. Some people have a lot of motion and speak and move quickly. Others have a lot metabolism and digest both food and information quickly. Others have a lot of structure and have thick strong bones. Each person has their own balance of these three physiological functions in their body. Your unique balance is called your constitution. Due to the stresses of life, these three functions become altered and imbalances in motion, metabolism and structure define all disease and suffering from an ayurveda perspective.

The goal of Ayurvedic healing is to restore normal function to the body. This is achieved by creating an optimum environment for healing to take place. Your environment is everything that you take in through your senses. Herbs are utilized to quicken the process. Imagine a life of health and happiness. It is not only possible; there is a science behind creating it. Ayurveda is that science.

Dr. Marc Halpern is the Founder and President of the California College of Ayurveda. Established in 1995 in Nevada City, California, the college is the oldest school of Ayurvedic Medicine in the United States. He is also the author of the popular book, Healing Your Life; Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda. A leader in the profession, Dr. Halpern co-founded the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. He also sits on the advisory boards of several journals in both the United States and in India and has received awards in both countries for his service to the profession. A Doctor of Chiropractic, a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, a certified Yoga Teacher, a certified Specialist in Holistic Medicine, an author, teacher and businessman, Dr. Marc Halpern gives 100% to his passion for healing and removing the causes of suffering. www.ayurvedacollege.com www.healing-your-life.com