New ager: Ayurveda

Judith Woods fromThe Telegraph writes on Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system based on the idea of balancing our three life forces

 

What is it?

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

 

Top Tips from The Hale Clinic Practitioners

Resident Somatic Coaching and Psychotherapist Clare Myatt, offers us her wonderful tips, that we can utilise each and everyday.

Clare Myatt is insatiably curious about what makes us inspired, empowered and satisfied in life. This curiousity drew her to the world of human resources initially, followed by psychology. Clare has been working with clients to enhance their lives for the past twenty years in both California and the UK. Partnering with clients to reveal their dreams and aspirations, Clare uses a wide and integrated approach to help shift insight into action.

Following a traditional Master’s degree level training as a psychotherapist in California, with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy, Clare continues her professional development, most recently focusing on how the wisdom of the body can be used to sustain change and realise potential. Certified by Strozzi Institute in California as a Master Somatic Coach in 2001 and one of their first Associates, she is now a highly sought-after practitioner of somatic coaching, being the Institute’s most experienced coach throughout the UK and Europe. She works with executives and leaders, coaches, other professionals, and those committed to self-development.

Clare also has a deep background in trauma and addiction, contributing “The Power of Somatics in Sobriety” to Being Human at Work by Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Ph.D., and has undergone extensive training in the Generative Somatics model for healing trauma.

* Remember to set a ping on your computer at least every hour to remind you to take a mini-break to stretch, roll your shoulders backwards and forwards, move your body in some way that feels good

 

* Use the applications available for iPhone and androids to remind you to randomly (or routinely) breathe a little more deeply, drink water, go to the bathroom, smell the roses, feel the ground beneath your feet … whatever will remind you are a human being not a human doing

 

* Seeing your dental hygienist every three months rather than the routine six months may help you remember to floss more regularly

 

* Walk to see a colleague and have a conversation rather than text or email – that’s how relationships are enhanced

 

* Feeling the soles of your feet when you’re standing on the tube will help promote balance and groundedness

 

* You will feel better if you make eye contact and say thank you – we are made to be in relationship with one another

 

* To borrow from Stephen Covey, is what you’re about to do “important?” or (potentially time-filling and more likely to be) “urgent?”

 

* If you had 24-hours to live, would the important people in your life know you loved them?

 

* A good conversation opener is “what makes you feel excited and hopeful?”