Introduction
This book has been compiled to provide a practical help guide to those interested in following a healthy
Ayurvedic lifestyle. With complementary therapies and es oter ic philosophies becoming much more
widely accepted and available in the west many people are interested in finding out more. However,
whilst there is a wealth of information in the public domain, there is little in the way of sound, practical
advice available to the lay person, especially in the field of Ayurveda. We hope this book will address
some of these shortfalls and provide a practical basis for self-improvement.
As an all encompassing holistic health-care system, the science of Ayurveda can be viewed as an
umbrella discipline or ‘mother’ of many modern-day alternative therapies. Having been a successful
primary health-care modality for millions of people for many thousands of years it’s translation as ‘the
knowledge of life’ is most apt. The oldest written records originate in India and date back over 2000
y e a r s a n d its recommendations and advice for healthy living are as relevant today t h e y ever wer e – a n d
probably even more so.
An important aspect of Ayurveda lies in its ability to understand and describe the subtle energies and
in telligence flowing through our bodies. Ayurvedic doctors skilled in th e an cien t pr actice of pulse reading
ar e able to accurately diagnose imbalances in an individual on a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual
level. This allows them to prescribe very effective herbal and behavioural remedies. Unfortunately, as this
skill is traditionally passed down verbally from one generation of Vaidyas (Ayurvedic doctors) to the
next, much of this art has been lost and it is now rarely taught in Ayurvedic collages and universities. It is
not a subject we will address in this book but it is well worth finding an Ayurvedic practitioner that is
skilled in this field if you have severe chronic health problems.
However, the Ayurvedic texts contain a treasure trove of knowledge based on its profound understanding
of the deeper workings of nature and the rhythms and cycles that govern all life on earth. This knowledge
is practical, easy to understand and is suitable for anyone interested in improving their physical, mental
an d spiritual health. It is our aim to faithfully present this knowledge in clear, easy-to-follow steps which
you can slowly introduce into your life if you have choose to take responsibility for your own health and
well-being and are willing to dedicate a little time and effort.
In the first chapter you will learn how to ascertain your unique Ayurvedic body-type. You will also learn
how to recognise imbalances in your body-type when you stray from your natural way of being and, most
importantly, how you can rectify them through diet and lifestyle adaptations. If we insist in following
inappropriate diets or lifestyles for prolonged periods of time our body begins to malfunction and slowly
but surely deteriorates. As toxins build up in the mind and body we become prone to persistent aches and
pains and feelings of unease, anxiety or depression. If these signs and symptoms of ‘dis-ease’ ar e left
unchecked we eventually begin to show signs of premature aging and suffer from more chronic
conditions. By following the guidelines for your particular body-t yp e or imbalan ce th e immun e,
digestive, endocrine and nervous system will be gently and naturally brought back into balance and good
health and a calm, focused mind will ensue.
F i r s tly you should identify your body-type - th e b o d y-type questionnaire will help you do this. A visit to
an Ayurvedic consultant trained in pulse reading will help ensure a more accurate assessment but as th ese
are still few and far between in the west the questionnaire is the next best alternative. Once you have
ascertained your psycho-physiological make-up it is then a simple matter of following the general
guidelines for your specific doshic make-up (body-t y p e ). However, you may need to adapt this slightly