Ayurveda
Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of natural health care, originating in the ancient traditions of India over 5,000 years ago. Now considered one of the leading forms of holistic medicine available in the West, Ayurveda addresses all factors that influence our quality of life. The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words--ayur, which means life, and veda, which means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means "the science of life."
The principles of Ayurveda state that nothing exists in isolation, so that everything you interact with, your diet, family, work or relationships, has an effect on your health and wellbeing. One guiding principle of Ayurveda is that mind and body are connected and that the mind has a profound influence over our health and well-being. While conventional Western medicine is still grounded in the paradigm of mind-body separation, Ayurveda holds that health is more than the absence of disease; it is a dynamic state of balance and integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Doshas
According to Ayurveda, each of us inherits a unique mix of three mind/body principles which create our specific physical, emotional and mental characteristics. These three mind/body principles are called doshas. From the five elements, the three doshas derived are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Most of us have one or two doshas which are most lively in our nature, with the remaining one(s) less significant.
The three doshas are known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata is the principle of movement and change. It can be identified as the Wind element. People with a predominance of Vata in their nature tend to be thin, light and quick in their thoughts and actions. Change is a constant part of their life. When Vata is balanced, it generates creativity, enthusiasm and liveliness. But if Vata becomes excessive, it creates anxiety, insomnia, dry skin or irregular digestion.
Pitta is the principle of transformation represented in digestion of ideas, sensory experiences, emotions and food. It is associated with the Fire element. People with a predominance of Pitta in their nature tend to be muscular, smart and determined. If balanced, a Pitta supports warmth, intelligence and good leadership. If out of balance, Pitta can make us critical, irritable and aggressive.
Kapha is the principle of protection, nourishment and stability. It is associated with the Earth element. People with a predominance of Kapha in their nature tend to have a heavier frame, think and move more leisurely and are stable. When balanced, it creates calmness, sweetness and loyalty. When excessive, Kapha can cause weight gain, congestion and resistance to healthy change.
Using the principles of Ayurveda, we can identify our mind/body nature and use this understanding to make the most nourishing choices in our lives.
In Ayurveda, health is defined as the dynamic state of balance mind, body and environment. It is possible for each of us to achieve and maintain a vibrant and joyful state of health by identifying our mind-body type and then creating a lifestyle that sustains and nurtures our unique nature.
Meditation
Meditation is a tool for rediscovering the body's own inner intelligence. Practiced for thousands of years, it is not about forcing the mind to be quiet; it is finding the silence that is already there and making it a part of your life. Silence is the birthplace of happiness, creativity and infinite possibilities. From this field of pure potentiality we get our bursts of inspiration, our most intuitive thoughts, and our deepest sense of connection to the Universe. Practicing meditation on a daily basis allows you to weave silence and stillness into your mind and body to create a life of greater compassion and fulfillment. Meditation is a journey to the center of our very being; a journey to emotional freedom; and a journey to the reawakening of our unconditioned self.
What is Primordial Sound Meditation?
Primordial Sound Meditation is a meditation technique originating in the ancient wisdom of India. Primordial Sounds the basic, most essential sounds of nature are used to disconnect us from the activity of life. These individually selected sounds, known as mantras, are based on the vibration the universe was making at the moment of your birth. Once your Primordial Sound mantra has been determined, you will be taught how to use it on a daily basis to reawaken balance, tranquility and compassion within. Your Chopra Center Certified Instructor will help you to integrate this practice into your daily routine.
How will Primordial Sound Meditation affect my health?
Today, doctors are increasingly citing stress as a major contributing factor to most illnesses. Even though meditation should not be considered a cure by itself, research has shown it to be beneficial for a wide range of health problems. As stress is greatly eliminated through Primordial Sound Meditation, our minds and bodies begin to function with maximum effectiveness, creating health, vitality and happiness.
How do I learn Primordial Sound Meditation?
Primordial Sound Meditation is easily learned in four short sessions over a period of a few days.
In Session One, your Chopra Center Certified Meditation Instructor will introduce you to the basic principles of meditation, its history and the importance of your mantra. In Session Two, you will receive personal instruction in your Primordial Sound mantra and learn how to use it. You will try meditation for the first time using your Primordial Sound mantra. In Session Three, you will learn the practical aspects of meditation, share your experience, receive answers to any questions, and meditate with your instructor. In Session Four, you will attend a lecture about the higher states of consciousness that can be achieved with regular Primordial Sound Meditation practice. Your instructor will share Deepak Chopra's vision of these higher states.
Primordial Sound Meditation is recommended for anyone who wishes to enjoy deeper peace, greater freedom and mastery of life.
What are the benefits of meditation?
Practicing Primordial Sound Meditation on a daily basis can help you to:
- Manage stress
- Reduce anxiety
- Improve your relationships
- Create inner peace
- Awaken your intuition
- Enhance your sleep patterns
- Lower your blood pressure
- Become less judgmental
- Connect to spirit
Perfect Health
The Perfect Health program is based on the global best seller Perfect Health by Deepak Chopra, M.D., the Chopra Center Ayurvedic Lifestyle Program teaches you to easily bring balance and healing into your life. Students will learn a powerful regimen of Ayurvedic practices designed to balance the body and mind, enhance nutrition, reduce emotional turbulence and re-awaken the senses.
In some form or another, we all seek Perfect Health physically and emotionally. Chopra Center co-founder and medical director, David Simon, M.D., has designed a beautiful five lesson course for achieving equilibrium of the mind and the body. When our bodies and minds are in balance we can make nourishing choices, achieve the healing, and experience the change we seek.
How will Perfect Health affect my life?
Today, doctors are increasingly citing stress as a major contributing factor to most illnesses. Our bodies and minds react to it by shifting out of balance, which ultimately creates physical challenges and emotional turbulence that impact our lives at home, at work, and at play. In time, we can find ourselves in toxic relationships and non-nourishing patterns of eating, sleeping, and digestion. The Perfect Health program will help you identify the imbalances in your life, teach you how to correct them, and help you develop a nurturing daily routine. You will also learn to release emotions in a healthy way so that they don't build up in your physiology. Most importantly, as your stress is eliminated, your mind and body begin to function with maximum effectiveness, creating health, vitality and happiness.
What will I learn in the Perfect Health program?
The Perfect Health program is presented in five sessions over several days.
In Session One, your Chopra Center Certified Perfect Health Instructor will introduce you to the basic principles of Ayurveda, Meditation, and Yoga as well as the three primary mind-body personalities: vata, pitta, and kapha.
In Session Two, you will learn how to select and use the most nourishing foods for your mind-body personality. These nutritional practices will help you maintain vibrant health, appropriate weight, and optimized digestion.
In Session Three, you will learn to perpetually renew yourself each day by recognizing and eliminating toxins and by performing gentle rejuvenating techniques.
In Session Four, you will learn tools to practice conscious communication to enhance your relationships and help you achieve emotional freedom.
In Session Five, your instructor will teach you to use your senses to access the power of your body's inner pharmacy to heal, nourish, and maintain balance.
What are the benefits of Perfect Health?
By practicing the techniques learned in the Perfect Health program, you will be able to:
- Reduce stress
- Identify your mind-body personality
- Improve your digestion and sleep patterns
- Release emotional toxicity
- Lower your blood pressure
- Create optimal daily nutrition
Donna is certified as a Chopra Ayurvedic Health Instructor, Chopra Meditation Instructor, Chopra Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Teacher, and Chopra Vedic Educator.
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