1. Enlivening the Inner Intelligence of the Body
Underlying all physiological processes is an unmanifest field of pure intelligence – the inner intelligence of the body. The inner intelligence orchestrates a myriad of biochemical transformations to heal and maintain balance. This includes a powerful mind-brain pharmacy that is spontaneously adjusting the levels of thousands of bio-active compounds at any time. Enlivening the inner intelligence of the body is the main goal of the Integrative Ayurveda approach to create health and healing from within.
2. Coordinating a Multi-Modality Approach
Having powerful multi-modality tools is only useful to the degree the clinician also has knowledge of how to coordinate their use. Over thousands of years Ayurveda has developed detailed protocols for coordinating a multi-modality approach to health. Integrative Ayurveda training includes instructions on how to prioritize which imbalances to address first and with which treatments.
3. A Personalized Approach
Integrative Ayurveda is personalized medicine. Every individual has their own unique body constitution or mind-body type. Integrative Ayurveda practitioners are trained to diagnose body constitution as the first step in assessing their patients/clients. The practitioner then prescribes a treatment or prevention program that is personalized for the individual's body constitution as well as their underlying imbalances. Rather than treat the disease, Ayurveda treats the whole person and the root imbalances at the basis of the disease. Several people with the same condition might be prescribed very different sets of recommendations.
Mind-body Medicine - The Foundation of the Integrative Ayurveda Approach
All evidenced based mental techniques that enliven the inner intelligaence of the body and strengthen the healing response are considered Integrative Ayurveda mind-body medicine approaches.
Integrative Ayurveda recognizes that one of todays leading evidenced based mind-body medicine techniques comes from the Ayurvedic tradition. The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years. The TM technique has become one of the most scientifically studied meditation techniques in the world with more than 380 peer-reviewed research studies published in more than 160 scientific journals describing a wide range of benefits.
Psychology
Ayurveda describes most disease as originating in mental disorder or mental "mistakes". According to Ayurveda essentially all disease is the result of "pragyaparadha" – translated as "the mistake of the intellect". This understanding recognizes that most disease is caused by lifestyle and dietary mistakes and lack of practicing proper preventive regimens.
According to Ayurveda the ultimate "mistake of the intellect" is the conscious mind losing contact with its source in the field of pure consciousness within.
Diet
Diet is the key physical approach of Integrative Ayurveda. Proper diet and good digestion, including gut health, are considered to be cornerstones of ideal health according to Ayurveda. Integrative Ayurveda course participants learn foundational information to help their patients/clients optimize their diet and improve digestion, assimilation and elimination. This includes detailed dietary plans for different constitutions and disorders.
Lifestyle
Ayurveda provides extensive knowledge about two aspects of lifestyle or "daily routine".
1. Understanding the natural rhythms and cycles that support health in the body. Ayurveda provides instruction in how to maintain balanced routines of eating, sleeping, exercise and elimination to be in tune with Nature's cycles.
2. Ayurveda adds powerful rejuvenative procedures that can be included in one's daily routine to acheive optimum health.
Herbs
Ayurveda contains the largest herbal compendium of any system of traditional medicine. The Integrative Ayurveda training program familiarizes participants with the major individual, generic, Ayurvedic herbs. Training also provides knowledge of clinical use of a wide variety of traditional multi-herb compounds which are the most important herbal formulas used in Ayurveda.
Spices
The Integrative Ayurveda training course includes instructions on use of spices for nutrition, cleansing, and balacing of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Integrative Ayurveda instruction also includes the use "spice water infusions" to make the balancing influence of spices reach more deeply into the tissues.
Cleansing
The buildup of toxins which block the channels of circulation and communication is considered to be at the basis of most chronic conditions. Daily cleansing procedures need to be practiced for prevention and rejuvenation. Ayurveda recommends a wide variety of dietary and physical medicine cleansing protocols to help the body remove this root cause of chronic conditions.
Panchakarma
The most powerful cleansing approaches in Ayurveda are the in-residence treatments of Panchakarma, which include daily administration of herbalized oil massage, heat treatments and elimination procedures.
Massage
Integrative Ayurveda provides detailed instruction on the daily use of self-administered massage for prevention and rejuvenation. Detailed instructions are given as to massage technique, type of oil to be used, and the herbs that should be infused in the oil to match the constitution of the patient/client.
Aroma Therapy
Integrative Ayurveda contains a deep knowledge of the effects of essential oil aromas.
Music Therapy – "Gandharva Veda"
The melodies of the Vedic music called Gandharva Veda can be used to help bring the individual in harmony with natural rhythms in nature and help rebalance the physiology.
Vedic Recitation
Maharishi Ayurveda contains unique knowledge of how to use recitation of various aspects of Veda and Vedic Literature to enliven the inner intelligence responsible for proper functioning of different areas of the body.
Practice of Self-Pulse Diagnosis for Healing
Integrative Ayurveda training includes instruction of how to practice Ayurveda self-pulse diagnosis in a way that creates a powerful enlivenment of the body's inner intelligence.
Healthy Buildings and Architectural Design
The Vedic tradition contains an extremely valuable body of knowledge as to the construction of healthy buildings. The Vedic Rishis experienced the influence of different orientation of architectural design on the state of balance and imbalance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This body of Vedic knowledge is called "Sthapatya Veda" or Vastu and is an important part of the Integrative Ayurveda Training Program
Exercise
Ayurveda recommends different levels of exercise for different body types. It also delineates the best times of day for exercise, the recommended level of exertion and the types of side-effects that can come from over-exercise.
Yoga Asanas
Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences in the Vedic tradition. Ayurveda incorporates Yoga asanas as part of it's recommended daily routine and includes descriptions of which postures can bring balance to Vata, Pitta or Kapha. Yoga asanas instruction also specifies the proper way to move the attention during different postures to bring about maximum healing and balance.
Pranayama - Vedic Breathing Practices for Health
The pranayama breathing techniques of the Vedic tradition are included in the practice of Ayurveda and pranayama practice is considered part of a proper Ayurvedic morning routine.
Vital Point Therapy
Ayurveda considers yoga postures that create stretch and enlivenment in different areas of the body to be the premiere Vedic vital point therapy.
Also classical Ayurvedic herbalized oil massage with it's prescribed strokes and levels of pressures on different parts of the body is another powerful Vedic vital point therapy.
