Ayurveda Principles of Diet and Lifestyle

Description

Modern medicine is an illness system not a health system and we have forgotten that man and nature have existed for millions of years without the help of science. Until recently the health of man and of the planet depended on the laws of nature which are very clear if we would only pay attention.  

Obesity is considered to be a crisis in Western countries but at the same time thousands of people suffer from eating disorders and/or are underweight. Clearly there is an underlying problem in the modern attitude towards diet and lifestyle. It is not enough to simply “diet” a way out of these problems but an overwhelming need to get to the root cause. 

I believe the only solution is for each person to become aware of their own issues and understand what they have to do to rectify their particular situation. Modern nutritional advice has a “one size fits all approach” and has a poor understanding of the cause. “If the car won’t run we have to find out why and get it repaired.”

The same applies to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, allergies, arthritis, the list goes on. The diseases are rampant in modern society and medicine only provides bandaid solutions it never gets to the root cause which in most cases is deeply rooted. Traditional societies who eat real food and live largely according to nature have other health problems related to contaminated water, communicable disease, starvation etc. but have a strong immunity and do not suffer from the chronic illnesses that are so prevalent in the West.

This course is not a quick fix but requires commitment to change based on an understanding of ones self and a desire to end the cycle of “dieting”. The digestive system is a complex mechanism which takes food and turns it into energy and if we don’t put the right foods in the right quantities into our body, then we will not see the results we want. “If we always do what we always did, we always get what we always got”.

Ayurveda, the Science of Life gives us the knowledge to learn again the laws of nature to strengthen our immune system and therefore prevent disease. In doing so we learn how to manage health rather than manage our illnesses which according to ayurveda are nothing more than imbalances created by the environment, diet and lifestyle and inappropriate habits which interfere with good heath. All of this is written in the ancient texts of ayurveda. This does not mean that recent developments in science and technology have not benefitted mankind, but without using ancient wisdom it will only have partial success. Ayurveda holds the secret to managing health and disease prevention by strengthening the immune system and balancing weight. It is a revolutionary method of self analysis, authentic ancient knowledge and practices which balance the energies of body and mind. 

This course provides knowledge of the basic principles of the science of life - Ayurveda. The student will learn how proper food and eating habits are in fact the best medicine and that the food choices we make every day can improve immunity and prevent disease. The role of the mind is crucial to managing health because today there is so much influence coming from the food “industry” and even the “health food industry” that there is no reference point for right choices. Ayurveda provides this reference point. Once the student experiences positive change and realizes what optimal health really means then they have confidence in their ability to apply the principles of ayurveda and make them into a way of life. Knowledge of the true nature of the body and mind is the key to success in managing health, improving immunity, achieving an ideal weight and preventing disease. 

As an ayurvedic practitioner I have become increasingly aware of how little most people know about the food they eat, their own unique body and mind and what foods are best suited for them. Recent generations have been bombarded by advertising of food which has evolved for reasons other than the promotion of complete health. The result is thousands of people are suffering from health issues. The sad thing is, even with our “so called” advanced civilization there are no solutions and most people don’t even recognize it as a problem. 

My course consists of voiceover videos covering the basic concepts of ayurveda as they apply to the body, mind and daily living. Talking head videos are tailored to substantiate and compliment these videos. With the marketing strategies of the food industry today, even of health food, it is difficult for the lay person to make informed decisions on what they should eat. Section 2 on food is based on fundamental principles which have a scientific basis and rules associated with diet and lifestyle, and will give the student a knowledge base to refer to. 

Many of our food habits are based on emotional conflicts within us. Section 3 on the mind will help the student to go beyond the mind, realize it and learn to control it therefore strengthening willpower. Section 4 focuses on the application of ayurveda principles to achieve optimal health and immunity, prevent disease and by the end of the course the student will have the knowledge and confidence to reach a normal weight and maintain it. Exercise and sleep are emphasized throughout the course and there is a quiz in each section to help you determine your own particular body and mind type. You can evaluate your behaviors which help you to see the nature of your mind. 

I designed this course in everyday language although there are some words which do not have an English equivalent. Lecture 1 is a glossary of Sanskrit words to refer to,

This course is invaluable for professionals involved in public health and carers of the elderly, community education, nutrition, teachers and parents. 

What You Will Learn!

• Understand the basic principles of ayurveda, which are a) the Vedic view of creation, b) the principles of the five elements and how their qualities affect the body.
• Understand that the doshas are in two states one which they are born with and a variable state which causes disease.
• Evaluate the doshas in themselves and recognize how the doshas aggravate the body and cause disease.
• Identify the six tastes and recognize the elements in each.
• Understand the principle of cause and effect and how each taste affects the body.
• Understand digestion and the different diseases which are caused by poor digestion.
• Recognize three important factors in digestion i.e. digestive fire (agni) waste products (malas) and toxins produced in the digestive process (ama).
• Understand which tastes they have to focus on and which to limit in order to manage their own particular health and weight issues.
• Know which foods should be included in a healthy diet and issues related to each.
• Know which foods are the most suitable for the student’s particular health and weight issue.
• Understand issues related to food combining and how it affects digestion.
• Know which foods to choose for overweight or underweight issues.
• Understand the role that the mind plays in influencing diet and lifestyle habits.
• Realize what has to change in attitude towards food and lifestyle in order to change habits.
• Understand the emotional connection to food and lifestyle.
• Realize one's own predominant state of mind in controlling eating habits.
• Learn the relationship between stress and sickness and how to manage stress.
• Learn the importance of daily yoga asana and exercise for complete health.
• Learn basic breathing exercises (pranayama) for health.
• Learn basic techniques to ensure a proper night's sleep.
• Learn the importance of routine in achieving complete health and a balanced weight.
• Learn basic techniques for meditation.
• Know the basic requirements of an ayurveda kitchen
• Understand the reasoning behind vegetarianism.
• Be able to make basic staples for a healthy diet.

Who Should Attend!

• This course is aimed at those who are genuinely interested in learning about their own body and mind from an ayurvedic perspective and what they have to do to achieve complete health, improve immunity, prevent disease and manage weight.
• Ayurveda principles of diet & lifestyle are important for everyone to know, especially parents, teachers, those in the medical profession and ayurveda professionals who can advise their clients to take the course.
• Ayurvedic practitioners, natural health professionals, medical health professionals, all areas of community education, public health, nutrition, especially experts in eating disorders, diabetes, autoimmune disease, incurable disease etc.
• This course is not for students who want quick results or even to have a timeline for weight gain, weight loss or to see a dramatic improvement in health.
• Students who realize that each person is an individual and it is through education and self-awareness that he/she will learn what their own particular needs are to achieve complete health, improved immunity and a balanced weight.

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