Ayurveda translates as “the science of life”. Born in India some 5000 years ago, it is one of the world’s oldest and most complete systems of natural healing.

Its central philosophy refers to the innate connection that human beings have with the universe. You are made up of the exact same elements that make up the universe and are therefore affected by everything you see, smell, hear, touch and taste.

The five elements, Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth unite into pairs to form the three functional and structural entities of the body known as doshas. The doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha and they exist in all living beings in different proportions. They create a unique blueprint for each of us known as our Prakruti or constitution and their equilibrium is responsible for the health and wellbeing of your body-mind-spirit.

Balanced doshas deliver optimum health – Imbalanced doshas invite disease.

The basic principle of Ayurveda is that you can create balance within yourself, your internal environment, by altering your diet and living habits to counteract influences from your external environment.

Ayurveda is both curative and preventative and is unique from other health systems in the sense that it recognizes many different metabolic types. It considers the whole person and rather that just treating the symptoms it asks - “Who is the person experiencing these symptoms?”

Being non-invasive, Ayurveda can also work in conjunction with your existing treatments, supplements or medications. Minor alterations to your eating habits and daily routine can make all the difference to a condition and reduce the body's need for external products.



THE THREE DOSHAS

Vata is formed from air and ether. It manifests in the body as the subtle energy that governs biological movement - Movement of nerve impulses, air, blood, food, waste and thoughts. Vata's characteristics include - cold, light, irregular, mobile, dry and rough. People with a predominantly Vata disposition are usually creative, quick thinkers, and good talkers. Excess Vata can cause insomnia, high blood pressure, anxiety and intestinal bloating and nervousness. Balanced Vata promotes feelings of lightness and happiness.

Pitta is the combination of fire and water. It manifests in the body as the energy of heat and metabolism, governing digestion, assimilation, hormones and body temperature. Pitta characteristics include hot, light, oily, fluid, sharp, pungent and sour. People with a natural Pitta dominance are focused, passionate and ambitious. Excess Pitta can cause gastric ulcers, hormone imbalance, skin irritation, anger and aggression. Balanced Pitta promotes intelligence and understanding.

Kapha is the combination of water and earth. It manifests in the body on a physical level as structure and lubrication, as the cells of our organs and as the fluids that nourish and protect them. Kapha characteristics include heavy, slow, cool, damp, oily, smooth and sweet. People with a Kapha dominance are often warm, caring and good team players. Excess Kapha can cause attachment, greed, weight gain, depression, lung congestion and colds. Balanced Kapha promotes calmness and forgiveness.



WHAT CAN AYURVEDA TREAT?
Because Ayurveda is a holistic, curative and preventative system of health, it can treat just about any ailment.  It is believed that most diseases and conditions are initially a result of impaired digestive function so this area plays an important role in Ayurvedic healing.



DIGESTION FROM AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE 

Ayurveda embraces the concept that good digestion is the key to good health, as food is your bodies main source of nourishment.

Digestion is the process by which you break down matter from your external environment, in order to make it an integrated part of your inner environment.
 
In other words, the food you eat becomes you.

Agni is your digestive fire and its important to think of it as just that - a fire.
Too much food can act like sand on a fire, dousing Agni.  Too little food can starve Agni, like expecting a fire to burn brightly with only a few twigs to fuel it. 
The same rule applies to liquids.  Drinking large amounts before, during or immediately after a meal will also douse the fire, preventing proper and complete digestion.
When Agni becomes impaired the result is incomplete digestion and the formation of Ama.  Ama is a toxic waste derived from partially digested food that accumulates in the body's channels.  It prevents absorption of nutrients and will ultimately accumulate in the tissues to manifest dis-ease.

So....it is true that you are what you eat, but more importantly, you are what you assimilate!




THE FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH










Aaharam - Nutrition: Proper nutrition lies not only in what you eat, but also how you eat, how much you eat, how the food is prepared, the , your state of mind when you eat, and what time you are eating.

Nidra - Rest: Rest, meditation and sleep are healing.  Sleep allows the body to enter a special processing phase, where the day's food consumption can be completely digested and assimilated. The important factors to consider include - quantity and quality of sleep, the time you go to sleep and length of time you sleep.

Maithunam - Relationship: As Ayurveda is about being in tune with nature, this pillar represents the relationships we have with our surroundings and the environment.  It also includes - the people in our lives, our work, our hobbies, and most importantly, ourselves.

Vyayama - Exercise: Exercise is not an option if you desire good health and longevity as it is a catalyst for many metabolic and physiological processes in your body.  The important factors include - what type of exercise you do, when you do it, and how much you do.




WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM AN AYURVEDIC CONSULTATION ?

Your constitution is the most important factor in achieving a higher state of health because it tells you how nature intended you to live.
Your lifestyle, eating habits and your past and current health conditions will all be discussed to help reveal your own unique constitution.
Lifestyle and dietary suggestions will be presented to you to help restore your agni (digestive fire), purify your body of any ama (toxins) and correct any dosha imbalance, to shift you to a higher state of mind-body health.
Such suggestions, other than dietary alterations, may include - self oil massage, yoga postures, meditation, or simple remedies that can be prepared in your own kitchen.
Ayurveda offers an exciting new world of self healing and discovery. Its an empowering tool that can be utilised throughout your life, to enhance your health, prevent disease and promote longevity.



COST:      Initial Consultation          Follow-up Consultation

                              $65                                          $40





WHAT IS AYURVEDIC MASSAGE ?

Ayurvedic massage is a full-body therapeutic relaxation massage that helps to regulate your body’s vital life force – Prana.
Your basic constitution will be considered as this will determine the most appropriate oil to use for your massage.
This treatment includes massage of the abdomen to enhance your body's digestive fire, as well as face and scalp massage on which brahmi oil is used to pacify Vata and your Nervous system.
Stimulation of your lymphatic system is also a focus to assist with waste removal, and Marma therapy is incorporated.  Marma, which translates as “vital area” is the anatomical site that is closely connected to the nervous system, the mind and the chakras. Stimulating and clearing congestion from these vital points helps to improve nerve function, promoting clarity and balancing body and mind.

Click here to read about the other types of massage offered at Calma Therapies



COST:                75min                         90min

                                  $85                            $100





Click here to view Calma Therapies' Ayurvedic product range.

"Like other great civilisations, India never separated science from philosophy and religion.  Rather it viewed all knowledge as part of a whole designed to promote human happiness, health, and growth."

Dr Vasant Lad