What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of natural and holistic medicine. When translated from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “the science of life” (the Sanskrit root ayur means “longevity” or “life” and veda means “science”).
While allopathic medicine tends to focus on the management of disease, Ayurveda provides us with the knowledge of how to prevent disease and how to eliminate its root cause if it does occur.
Core Principles
The knowledge of Ayurveda was passed on orally through a lineage of sages in India until it was collated into text more than five thousand years ago. The oldest known texts on Ayurveda are the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and the Ashtanga Hrudaya. These texts detail the affect that the five elements found in the cosmic system - earth, water, air, fire, space – have on our individual system, and expound on the importance of keeping these elements balanced for a healthy and happy life.According to Ayurveda, each person will be influenced by certain elements more than others. This is because of their prakriti, or natural constitution. Ayurveda categorizes the different constitutions into three different doshas:
- Vata dosha, in which the air and space elements dominate
- Pitta dosha, in which the fire element dominates
- Kapha dosha, in which the earth and water elements dominate
The dosha affects not just the shape of one’s body but also bodily tendencies (like food preferences and digestion), and the temperament of one’s mind and emotions. For example, the earth element in people with Kapha dosha is evident in their solid, sturdy body type, their tendency for slower digestion, their strong memory, and their emotional steadiness. Most people’s prakriti is made up of a combination of two doshas. For example, people who are “Pitta Kapha” will have the tendencies of both Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha, with Pitta dominating. By understanding the qualities of our natural constitution we are better able to do what is needed to keep ourselves in balance.
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/woman-in-red-long-sleeve-shirt-wearing-eyeglasses-using-3791130.jpg?itok=2qt1BqeS)
Your Brain is Experiencing an Information Overload: Ayurveda Can Help
By Anuradha Gupta | Posted: June 09, 2020 I have a confession....
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/pablo-merchan-montes-Orz90t6o0e4-unsplash.jpg?itok=fYMWWDXY)
How to Eat According to Ayurveda: Eating in the Present Moment
By Lipi Vora | Posted: May 29, 2020 One might have heard of the...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/beauty2.jpg?itok=D0XfqfAK)
The Ayurvedic Route to Skin Care: 12 Tips to a Radiant You!
By Anuradha Gupta With skin being our largest organ, learn a...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/grief.jpg?itok=bpBUY8_v)
Ayurveda and Grief: 5 Self-CareTips To Help Your Heart Feel Lighter
By Anuradha Gupta Navigating loss and coming out the other side...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/Ayurveda_massage_721.jpg?itok=C4R9VTSO)
Mental Health Solutions: Ayurveda Treats the Whole Mind-Body Complex
By Anuradha Gupta | Posted : November 06, 2020 Looking for a...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/pexels-guilherme-rossi-1686864.jpg?itok=5_3BNPwx)
Can Ayurveda Help with Autumn Allergies? Say Bye-Bye to Your Sniffles!
By Anuradha Gupta | Posted : September 04, 2020 Are you sneezing?...
THE AYURVEDA SPA AT ART OF LIVING RETREAT CENTER
Shankara Ayurveda Spa
AUTHENTIC, QUALITY SPA RETREATS AND TREATMENTS
Rated "BEST AYURVEDA PROGRAM" by Organic Spa Magazine, we combine ancient Ayurveda with contemporary wellness, offering massages, spa treatments and wellness classes. Dine in our all-vegetarian cafeteria and host events for up to 3,000 people.
Ayurvedic Treatments
AVAILABLE AT SHANKARA AYURVEDA SPA
Our therapists work with your body to encourage healing, growth, and physical stress relief, bringing you into an open, blissful, and restored state.
Our treatments include:
- Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation with Ayurvedic Health Counselor
- Pulse Assessment with Ayurvedic Vaidya
- Abhyanga: Detoxifying Warm Oil Massage
- Shirodhara: Relaxation Therapy
- Royal Treatment: Signature Service
- Shankara Signature Ayurveda Facial
- Shankara Signature Massage
- Udvartana: Herbal Exfoliation Treatment
- Marma: Replenishing Energy Treatment
- Karna Purna: Settling the Nervous System
- Nasya: Clear Breath Support
- Netra Tarpana: Eye Bathing
- Thai Massage
- Avarna Spa Body Wraps
- Sundarya: Lavishing Treatment
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_big/public/unity2/blog_image/Weight%20loss.jpg?itok=B58iEmbu)
Here's an Expert's Guide to Losing Weight with Ayurveda and Yoga
By Anuradha Gupta | Posted: October 31, 2019 Weighing in Health and slenderness are not synonymous. Various factors,...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_big/public/unity2/blog_image/93379587_s.jpg?itok=kqOfraAe)
Transition Well to Winter Months with these Tips By an Ayurveda Expert
By Anuradha Gupta | Posted: October 23, 2019 The cold winter months are upon us; if animals are hibernating, don’t...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_3_box_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/candy-chocolate-delicious-4644.jpg?itok=XLNHdzHv)
Mental Stress and Diabetes: An Ayurveda Expert Explains the Connection
By Dr. Surya Bhagwati | Posted: July 22, 2019 With rapid urbanization...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_3_box_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/katherine-hanlon-mod2s3-qFOc-unsplash.jpg?itok=rME-2jBW)
Learn How to Live Your Most Vibrant Life with the Science of Ayurveda
By Anuradha Gupta | Posted: July 05, 2019 Ayurveda and Yoga Ayurveda...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_3_box_grid/public/unity2/blog_image/barefoot-beach.jpg?itok=jdq2JaId)
8 Summer Health Tips: Balance Your Body's Pitta and Vata to Stay Cool
By Elizabeth Herman | Posted: June 26, 2019 What do you change...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_big/public/unity2/blog_image/marion-michele-191320-unsplash.jpg?itok=f5MarKz6)
13 Daily Rituals of Yoga and Ayurveda from When You Wake Up to Sleep
By Sejal Shah┃Posted: April 2, 2019 Most of us have had days when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and...
![](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/blog_promoted_big/public/unity2/blog_image/listen%20to%20your%20body.jpg?itok=kDDdePBl)
Ayurveda Dinacharya: Use the Circadian Rhythm of Your Body for Optimal Wellness
By Ganesh Puttur | Posted: March 14, 2019 Dinacharya is a Sanskrit word made up of ‘dina,’ meaning day, and ‘acharya,’...
Shankara Skincare
NURTURING THE BEAUTY IN YOU … CONSCIOUSLY
Pairing western anti-aging breakthroughs with the eastern science of Ayurveda,
the ancient “Science of Life,” the Shankara Skincare System produces true
skin transformation and enhances your authentic beauty.