› Wellness and Ayurveda?

The term "wellness"originally described a holistic philosophy of living. Its meaning is derived from the two terms "well-being" and "fitness", which combine to form the term "wellness". A person who aspires to a state of wellness for themselves wishes to have a life situation in which their body achieves a certain state of fitness which contributes to the well-being of their mind and spirit.

To do justice to this body-mind-spirit balance, a programme is required in which active elements sensibly supplement regenerative and relaxing elements. This does not mean following all the latest wellness trends indiscriminately, but instead means selecting sensible components which are suited to the individual, based on experience and knowledge, and adding them to a harmonious programme. If you blindly follow every trend which is marketed under the heading of wellness, the concept of wellness is watered down until it retains little of its original philosophy. In fact, hectic new crazes often take the original idea of wellness to the point of absurdity.

Ayurveda and wellness The ancient Indian health science of Ayurveda is consistent with the original but nonetheless comparatively new idea of wellness. Ayurveda, too, recommends a lifestyle in which physical activity, care of the body and relaxation techniques are complementary, preventing disease and bringing total well-being.
In today’s society, in which physical work has been largely replaced with intellectual and mental pressures, it is crucially important that we counteract stress by being physically active and striving to achieve mental balance. Ayurveda offers such a holistic approach. Special emphasis should be placed on extremely effective practices such as Shirodhara, the Ayurvedic system of pouring of warm herbal oil on the forehead, and Abhyanga, in which predominantly gentle techniques are used, which in Ayurveda are called samvahan.

› The four shared pillars of Ayurveda and wellness

Modern “wellness” and traditional Ayurveda.The ancient Indian health doctrine of Ayurveda is consistent with the original but nonetheless comparatively new idea of wellness. Ayurveda, too, recommends a lifestyle specifically designed to prevent disease and bring total well-being. In both Ayurveda and wellness, physical activity, care of the body and relaxation techniques are complementary and focus on the whole body.

In today’s society, in which physical work has been largely replaced with by intellectual and mental pressures, it is of crucial importance that we counteract stress by being physically active and striving to achieve mental balance. Ayurveda offers such a holistic approach. Unfortunately the fitness components are often neglected. These are of particular importance, not only for anti-aging, but for people in every phase of life, even children and the young.

The pillars of the Ayurveda wellness philosophy

1. Relaxation: touch, nurturing, acoustic and visual effects, peace and meditation, mental exercises
2. Movement: physical exercise, active holidays and lifestyle
3. Nutrition: : foods balanced to individual needs which are both satisfying and nourishing
4. Cleansing: inner detoxification (e.g. Panchakarma)
5. Individuality : : tailor-made programme designed by competent professionals – constitutional determination - health check