Judith Woods fromThe Telegraph writes on Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system based on the idea of balancing our three life forces
Ayurveda, which means “the science of life” in Sanskrit, is an ancient Indian healing system, popular with celebrities, including Sting, Madonna, Christy Turlington and Gwyneth Paltrow.
It’s based on the idea that there are three life forces, called doshas. Vata, pitta and kapha (representing a combination of space, air, fire, earth and water) must be balanced to maintain good health. Each person has one or two dominant doshas, but all three are in a combination as unique as a fingerprint, that determines body type, character and constitution.
Vata people are thin, creative and restless. Pittas are of medium build, very intelligent but critical and prone to anger, kaphas tend to put on weight and are stable, caring but inactive.
The key to Ayurvedic medicine is to restore imbalances in the individual that cause physical and psychological ill-health.
What are the benefits?
Ayurveda is largely about prevention rather than cure, but it is commonly used to treat stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, stomach ulcers, eczema and psoriasis.
What does it involve?
The practitioner will take a medical, lifestyle and emotional history. He or she will examine your tongue, lips and nails as well as your eyes, ears, nostrils and mouth. Treatment varies tremendously and can include massage, yoga, meditation, essential oils and herbal medicine. It will almost certainly include dietary recommendations and exercise advice.
Vata types are advised to avoid stimulants, to help their equilibrium. Pittas can find that their sense of wellbeing improves through massage and meditation. Kaphas will find their metabolisms are kick-started with aerobics and high-impact sports.
Is there proof that it works?
Evidence is largely anecdotal. One small trial in the US looked at people with chronic illness and reported that almost 80 per cent of them experienced a very significant improvement in health after using Ayurvedic medicine.
The Hale Clinic has 5 leading Ayurvedic practitioners, Doja Purkit, Sumudu Godagama, Angela Hope-Murray , Dr Mudassar Hussain and Dr Godagama. Dr Godagam has over 40 years of practice, Dr Godagama has acquired immense knowledge, experience and expertise in Ayurveda. The result of his vision and ambitions towards enhancing the recognition of Ayurveda in the West has been immeasurable
In 2001 Dr Godagama was appointed by Lord Hunt, Minister of Health to the Medicine Control Agency as a panel member for borderline medicines in the UK and was invited to St James Palace by H.R.H The Prince of Wales for discussions on the future of Ayurveda and alternative medicine in the UK. Following this, in 2005 he became the Director of the European Herbal Practitioners Association as well as ministerial advisor to the Department of Health on herbal medicines.
Dr Godagama formed and became the Dean of the College of Ayurveda with Dr Sathyamoorthy and Dr Athique, which has now become the first institution in the UK to provide a Bachelor of Science in Ayurveda at Middlesex University.
Dr Godagama has become renowned worldwide as an expert in the unique healing tradition of Ayurveda.
Publication: The Handbook of Ayurveda. 2001
To book an appoitment with one of our wonderful Ayurvedic practitioners please call The Hale Clinic on 0207 631 0156
To read more, visit The Telegraph Website
