​​It's a myth
People want to promote Ayurveda as a vegetarian science because they attach divinity to it. But in reality it is not.

Is spice not a taste???
\nModern scientists say spice is not a taste. It is only a feeling. They have 5 tastes - sweet, sour, salt, bitter and umami. Umami is a Japanese expression for a peculiar savoury taste. This has been recently added (in 2009) as the 5th taste. Now scientists are in the process of adding a sixth taste "oleogustus", which means taste for fat. Recently there is one more taste identified and people want to add that too. It is called starchy taste. I think by the end of the century we will have 100s of tastes as each and every substance has a distinct taste. Protein taste, Acid taste, Vit A taste, Vit B taste and so on. Apple taste, orange taste, jackfruit taste also can come in. Dont get surprised.
\nAyushoveda has elaborated 6 tastes. This conclusion has come after many discussions and debates (Ref Charaka Samhita). It says each and every substance has a distinct taste and that is why we are able to identify it. No two substances taste the same. But once you understand the concept of tastes, they can be broadly classified as Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), Tikta (bitter), Katu (spicy as in pepper) and Kashaya (astringent).
\nThere are millions of receptors in the tongue and depending upon the person's food habits, some are active and some not so active. Some like sweet, while some sour and yet others prefer bitter.
\nJust because each and every substance tastes different and we have different taste buds to identify them, they, in my opinion, cannot be classified and grouped under different tastes. According to Ayushoveda, the effect of the taste on our health, has been dealt with elaborately. There is also advanced studies on the tastes. What happens to a taste after digestion? What taste (Vipaaka) does each taste get converted to after digestion and its effect on the system is also a profound subject. It is an extremely in depth study.
\nNot only spice, every taste is a feeling. Taste lies in the tongue of the beholder.
\n#ayurveda for life
\n#ayushoveda for lifestyle

One fantastic performance could be a fluke. Consistently performing at the highest level, with par excellence delivery, doesn't come by luck. It is a result of immense in-depth knowledge about the subject and hours and hours of hardwork day-in and day-out. A proof that meditating on a subject without getting defocused will earn dividends.


Can you believe that there is ghee in milk?


Milk, with a little 'guru' support (pinch of curd), gets completely converted into curd. In due course of time, the product physically resembles the guru which helped one reach there. One is ready with the knowledge. Then the churning of the curd (knowledge) happens. This is the reality and the painful part. At a certain point, the essence of one's knowledge pops up in the form of butter. This is no doubt tasty, but also unstable and gets spoilt.


This popped up essence is subjected to the real acid test by heating. This process is extremely critical as consistency and persistence are the key. Low heat for a long time. No short cuts. High temperature will burn the butter and spoil everything (burn-out). The final product is ghee. It is an ego-free state. No more spoiling. The older the wiser as it has gone through the process.


#ayurveda for health
#ayushoveda for lifestyle

Body is termed as SAREERA. Every word has a root and an origin as so has sareera. It means "that which goes towards destruction/putrefaction" (seeryate anena iti sareeram).
So when something is going towards destruction, it has to be given first priority.


Ayurveda says "sareeram adyam khalu dharma saadhanam"
It is one's first dharma (rightful duty) to take care of one's body. That doesn't mean we have to ignore others. All other things follow.


Meditation (dhyana) and all other activities for the mind, soul and the spirit are better if a person is physically healthy.


#ayurveda for life
#ayushoveda for lifestyle

While explaining the beneficial results of exercise, Ayurveda uses a profound word "karma saamarthya". Karma means action or duty. While saamarthya denotes excellence. Therefore, exercise is a daily activity which helps one to be able to excel in his/her duties or activity.


If one is aspiring to be a gymnast, one should not workout like a body builder. The type of exercises for a shuttle player and a computer engineer is not comparable. So one has to choose the right kind of exercise suiting one's lifestyle/work/profession.


"Ardha shaktya", using half of one's strength. Don't overdo your exercise and then end up unproductive for your duties. Hitting the gym and sleeping at work is not good. So as you consistently keep on doing exercises, your capacity to do more, with half your strength also gradually increases.


Understand your body & mind and do the suitable exercises daily, to stay healthy. Never to compete with others.


#ayurveda for life
#ayushoveda for lifestyle

​There are many puraanas in Indian Mythology and teachings. These are 18 in number written by Vyasa Maharshi. I've heard people say Ayurveda is puraana (meaning old) and also say that it has to be updated.


The in-depth understanding of the word puraana is pura api/kinthu nava ( old and/but new). This means that the puraanas are definitely ancient but the philosophy and teachings are still valid and applicable in this age.


So how old is Ayurveda? The texts say that the creator (brahma) himself recollected "Ayushoveda" (or in other words Ayurveda) and handed over to the gods and inturn to the humans. From this we understand that this is a science which evolved along with civilization. All parts of the world which had ancient civilizations had their own traditional medicine. Some call it folklore or tribal medicine. Same is the case with Ayurveda. But as civilization progressed, many thinkers and healers structured the existing system and made it extremely scientific, over 1000s of years by trial and error and through healthy debates. These scientists were keen observers. They observed plants, animals, rocks, metals, minerals, sun, moon, planets and what not and realized that we are also a part of that huge creation without any difference. They applied the same principles and stayed in harmony and in tune with nature to stay healthy.


So Ayurveda is a scientific and updated medical system. Application of ancient wisdom which holds good even now and will remain so even after millions of years.


#ayurveda for life
#ayushoveda for lifestyle

Why ???


Proper metabolism is the key for all activities in the body. A chemical process where energy is generated from food is metabolism. Proper metabolism happens when digestion, absorption and assimilation are proper.


According to Ayurveda, the main source or Head Office for metabolism is the digestive fire (pachaka agni). This is the power house for all the other agnis is different cells. Keeping this intact and firing is the main approach to stay healthy.


So consuming room temperature water to warm water around the food will assist digestion. As all the metabolic processes happen in the body around body temperature (roughly 38 * Celcius), eat warm food followed by warm to hot water. Cold water kills the fire.


#ayurveda for life
#ayushoveda for lifestyle

Ayurveda is based on 2 principles
1. Swasthasya Saasthya Rakshanam ( Maintaining health of a healthy)
2. Aathurasya Vikaara Prashamanam ( Curing the diseased)
Focus is more on maintaining the health while curative part is secondary.


Approach towards a condition (healthy or diseased) has been broadly classified into 3 in the order of importance.
1. Aahara ( Dietics)
2. Vihaara ( Lifestyle, mainly habits)
3. Oushadha ( Medical intervention)


As we know that we are a result of what we eat and what we do. That is why lot of importance has been give to the first 2 approaches.


When you see 100s of companies manufacturing 1000s of medicines in the market, you should understand that it contributes to only 1/3rd of the approach or philosophy of Ayurveda. We are not a medicine oriented science. We are HEALTH oriented.


#ayurveda for life
#ayushoveda for lifestyle

Reached Cairo and was driven through the city. Didn't miss my Chennai at all. Bad roads, congested, disorganised and noisy traffic. I am already feeling at home.


Came to a friend's place. Her name is Maha and she is a yoga exponent. Amazing hospitality. Traditionally set house. Look at my room.


All geared up to start work from tomorrow.


#ayurveda for life
#ayushoveda for lifestyle

It gives me great pleasure and honour to be given the opportunity to lead a team and travel to Egypt from Nov 1st to 15th to propagate Ayurveda. This could be one of the first such attempts to initiate Ayurveda in Egypt.
\nIt is an amazing feeling as we take the treasure of the oldest system of medicine to one of the oldest civilizations and cultures of the world.
\nWith the support of Yoga Acharya, Swami Madhav Anand, (www.goldenhealingjourneys.in) and others who conduct Yoga Retreats, ayushoveda has arrived with Ayurveda.
\nThis might be a small step, but definitely a giant leap.
\nExpecting prayers, blessings and good wishes from all our well wishers.
\n#ayurveda for life
\n#ayushoveda for lifestyle