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Ayurveda and Yoga therapy

According to a lot of experts, Ayurveda and Yoga therapy are designed to 'promote human happiness, health and creative growth'. Ayurveda and Yoga therapy are both among the worlds oldest medical systems that trace their origins back to over 5,000 years ago. Literary translated, Ayurveda means Science of Life ('Ayur' life and 'Veda' knowledge). They both help us nurture and take care of our bodies and minds through healthy- practices, eating and general living.

Yoga and Ayurveda have a lot of good advice to offer us in terms of nutrition and well-being. Both yoga and Ayurveda are holistic, natural systems of healing rooted in the Veda's. Both consider prevention better than cure and diet and nutrition vital to prevention of disease and ill health. While Ayurveda aims at balancing the 3 doshas in the body, Yoga aims to balance all aspects of life, physical, mental and emotional.

In Yoga and Ayurveda, all disease, misery and agony, are the result of dissonance and imbalance in the body. Hence both Ayurvedic therapies aim is to treat by restoring balance in a bid to prevent and cure disease. Besides Yoga and Ayurveda therapies aim at getting rid of toxins from the body and calming the senses thus improving overall physical and mental well-being. In both, Yoga and Ayurveda, therapy is aimed at getting rid of the disease permanently, by raising the body’s immunity.

The only difference is that Yoga believes in the principles of the 5 elements in nature, with earth, water, fire, air and ether. Ayurveda, on the other hand, believes in the tridosha theory. According to this, there are three humors in the body – vata, pitta and kapha. These and their combinations in an individual’s body determine his / her body type (also called Prakriti in Sanskrit). So while Yoga attempts to treat by bringing all 5 elements into balance, as far as possible, Ayurveda attempts to do the same by bringing the 3 doshas into a state of balance.

Best part is that both therapies are compatible because both work separately with natural cure as their basis. In so doing, if employed in unison, Ayurveda and Yoga therapy is most effective in achieving a quick and permanent cure.