Yoga and Ayurveda are becoming more and more widespread in our western societies. However, these Vedic sciences may still seem obscure to some. Complementary, these two ancestral Indian techniques help to better know oneself and to develop one's physical and mental well-being. How to define them and how to put them into practice on a daily basis? Here are some explanations.
What is ayurveda?
From the Sanskrit "ayur" meaning life and "veda" meaning knowledge,ayurveda can be translated as "science of life". Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine that dates back thousands of years and is said to be holistic because it considers the individual as a whole. Through techniques derived from the knowledge of nature and cosmic principles, it understands the human being through his physical body but also existential principles, more transcendental. Gentle and accessible to the greatest number of people, it uses various methods to achieve a true art of living. We can mention meditation, yoga, relaxation techniques, massages or the use of herbal remedies.
The benefits of Ayurveda
The main objective of this Vedic science is to understand the functioning of the body but also the external elements that disturb the general balance of individuals. Using techniques to maintain the digestive system in harmony by eliminating toxins, Ayurveda has one essential goal: to maintain a balanced digestive fire. Listening to one's body and its needs, balancing one's diet, observing seasonal cycles and adapting to one's environment allow one to become an actor of one's own health, to maintain a good circulation of energy and to reinforce one's immune system.
What is yoga?
A true spiritual practice, yoga can be translated as "union". However, it is not only a sport practice, as it is sometimes summarized. Indeed, it is part of a Vedic philosophical system called Sadhana. Many practices exist but the fundamental principle that predominates is the development of meditation at the origin of Vedic knowledge. The 8 principles that form the basis of this practice were written by Patañjali in his famous Yoga Sutra. They indicate the morals, the conducts, the postures, the control of the purana, i.e. thevital energy, the concentration and the meditation to reach the state of Samadhi or in other words awakening. The objective is to liberate the practitioner in order to improve his relationship with his being, his environment and others.
The benefits of yoga
There are many variations of yoga practiced all over the world from Hatha to Yin to Vinyasa. Soft or more rhythmic, they keep the same objective: the postures as well as the consciousness and the presence to oneself.
Like Ayurveda, this discipline focuses attention on the breath. Aiming at calming the mind, a regular practice allows to decrease anxiety. Among its many virtues, it allows to become progressively more flexible and to improve one's posture. Thanks to this attention paid to the body, the regular practitioner can reduce certain pains and improve his comfort of life. Accessible to all, regular sessions produce effective results quickly, without necessarily being flexible initially.
Why associate yoga and ayurveda?
These two Vedic sciences teach us to listen to our bodies and to integrate a vision of our being in its uniqueness. By adopting healthy routines and focusing on the breath, these two disciplines allow us to live in a more conscious and harmonious way.
Together, yoga and Ayurveda are two sides of the same coin. While Ayurveda emphasizes the balance between body and mind, yoga helps the body and mind work together and connect. In other words, if you want to maintain an Ayurvedic lifestyle, yoga is absolutely essential.
