Brief review on resemblance between Ayurved and Yog

2. Ayurveda is a comprehensive
medical system that is 5,000 years
old
Oldest system of medicine in
existence from which all other
systems emerged
Ayurveda means the ‘science of life’
and is a complete system of holistic
health addressing all layers of body,
mind and soul
Whole Ayurveda is divided into eight
branches
Ayurveda is a science dealing not
only with treatments of diseases but is
a complete way of life
Ayurveda- A complete way of life

3. Objectives of Ayurveda

4. Swasthya (Health): Ayurveda Perspective
An individual/person who is in a state of equilibrium of body’s;
(1) (humors) (2) (digestive fire) (3) (tissues) (4) (Physiological functions
of excretions etc.) and whose Aatma (soul), Indriya (senses) and Mana (Mind); all
are happy, is considered as a Healthy individual.
This definition of Health closely resembles to that given by World Health
Organization (WHO).
Ayurveda has emphasized all parameters like; anatomical, physiological, mental
and spiritual well being. Means Ayurveda says the person is healthy who’s body,
mind and soul are in normal state and all physiological actions are proper, not the
person who is physically healthy but mentally and spiritually not in
proper state.

5. Health Importance
-
- .
Four fold objective of human being is known as purushartha meaning foremost
achievements, or goals of human life. These are:
Dharma means living a moral life.
Artha is about earning for one’s livelihood in an ethical way.
Kama means fulfilment of one’s all desires and procreation.
Moksha is emancipation from all material pleasures and sufferings.
One with a sound mind in a sound body can achieve all the four goals in
the life. Therefore, arogya i.e. health of a being is the basic requirement
to achieve all these purushartha.

6. But….Health is not static
Doshas are not static and have to continually adapt themselves to ever-
changing environmental factors which are likely to cause the disturbance of
their subtle equilibrium. Hence the health of an individual is not static
To enjoy and preserve health throughout life one has to prevent or avoid the
reasons or causes of disease
This can be achieved by following a perfect lifestyle. ‘Svasthavrutta’ i.e. the
healthy regimen is the code of conduct designed by Ayurvedic scholars.
Svasthavrutta covers every aspect that promotes the health –
Dinacharya, Ratricharya - The daily regimen including routine at nights)
Rutucharya - The seasonal regimen
Achara rasayan - Ethical behaviour and other code of conduct
Food and drink items, their quantities in different situations, dos and don’ts
about ahara (Diet) and vihara (Routine activities).
These norms should be strictly followed in every season and almost
everyday.

7. YOGA

8. ASHTANG YOGA

9. AYURVEDA YOGA
Focuses on psychosomatic
integration through
comprehensive health care
culminating in openness to self-
transcendence and self-realization
Focuses on spiritual integration
through sell-transcendence
culminating in Self-realization
Primarily a science of Self-
healing aimed at relieving the
diseases of body and mind
First and foremost a science of
Self-realization
Concerned with restoring
wholeness, with our inner Self as
its ultimate goal, which is spiritual
healing
Concern is spiritual practice,
mainly through meditation, to take
us beyond the sorrow and
ignorance of the world
Alleviates both bodily and mental
diseases and promoting both
physical and psychological well-
being
Provides the key to all spiritual
development
Yet the ultimate goal of classical Ayurveda, like classical yoga is
self realization – the ultimate form of self healing

10. Ayurveda and Yoga - Two ways for health
Ayurveda Yoga
They are integral parts of the great system of Vedic knowledge which
states that all the universe is One Self and that the key to cosmic
knowledge lies within our own minds and hearts
As Vedic disciplines Ayurveda and Yoga work together to enhance
their great benefits on all levels
They can be integrated with related Vedic or yogic sciences of
astrology, architecture, music and language for an even
broader approach

11. AYURVEDA and YOGA SIMILARITIES
Vedic origin
Developed together and repeatedly
influenced each other throughout history
Principles
Both classical yoga, the eightfold path
(Ashtanga Yoga) taught by Patanjali in the
Yoga Sutras, and Classical Ayurveda taught
by Charaka and Sushruta are based upon
the Samkhya school of Vedic philosophy
Both accept theory of Pancha
Mahabhoota (five elements) and
Tridosha (three body humours)

12. Our biological existence - a dance of the three
doshas of vata, pitta and kapha and these
powers color and deter-mine our conditions of
growth and aging, health and disease
2 way impact of Doshas us on two primary
levels. First, they are the factors that produce
the physical body and are responsible for its
substance and its function, one of the three
doshas predominates in each individual and
becomes the basic determinate of his or her
particular constitution or mind-body type
Tridosha (Physical aspect)
In the practice of yoga, an understanding of doshas allows one to
gauge effects of yoga practice on both the gross and subtle bodies.
Yogic views of anatomy physiology and psychology were originally formulated
in terms of the doshas
The doshas tell us how the various organs and systems of the body work from
the yogic perspective of prana

13. They provide keys to the nadis and chakras of the subtle body
Similarly doshas help us understand how the mind functions, as well as its
connection to the soul, which follows the same energies as the body but at a
deeper level
Second, an understanding of ayurvedic constitutional types helps us adapt
yoga practices according to individual requirements
The asanas, pranayama and meditation practices appropriate for one
doshic type may not be useful for another
Ayurveda treatment occurs on two similar levels relative to doshas
First is treatment of disease, helping us deal with specific health complaint
On this level, Ayurveda is concerned with specific therapies to reduce doshic
excesses
The second level is lifestyle management. Ayurveda shows us how to live
in harmony with our constitution, not only to prevent disease but also to utilize
our full soul potential. On this level, Ayurveda deals with general lifestyle
practices (Svasthavrutta) to apply in our daily lives, which rests more in our
own power

14. Ayurveda and yoga use the three
gunas (Satva, Raja and Tama) for
determining individual psychological
or spiritual nature
Generally one guna predominates in
our nature. However, we all have
spiritual moments, rajasic or
disturbed periods, and tamasic or dull
which may be shorter or longer
depending upon our nature also have
sattvic, rajasic or tamasic phases of
life which may for months or even
years
Triguna (Psychological aspect)

15. Yoga practice has two stages: Development of sattva (purification of
body and mind) and transcendence of sattva (going beyond body and
mind to our true self)
Sattva is key to Ayurvedic healing as Ayurveda states Sattiv
body and mind is less likely to suffer from diseases and more able to
continue in a state of balance.
Yoga and Ayurveda emphasize the
development of sattva
In yoga, sattva is the higher quality
that allows spiritual growth to occur
In Ayurveda, sattva is the state of
balance that makes healing happen
(Charak Sharira 4/36)
While establishing the relation between body and mind in pathogenesis, it
is said that the mind is like the body and the body as mind is. In this body
there are also three types of minds - Satvik, Rajas and Tamas. In them
sattvik is superior and Rajas and Tamas are considered to be disorders.

16. Prana, Tejas and Ojas
Vata, Pitta and Kapha have subtle counterparts called prana, tejas
and ojas – three vital essences
These are roots or master forms of Vata, Pitta and Kapha that
control ordinary psychophysical functioning and if reoriented
properly energize higher spiritual potentials as well.
Building of Ojas is achieved by
Right Diet Tonic herbs
Ayurveda emphasizes right diet as foundation of all healing
therapies. Food is first and most important form of medicine.
Without right food no other healing modality can be effective
Ayurveda recommends Sattvic or pure form of food because Sattva
creates balance, eliminates harmful factors and helps reduce all
doshas

17. Herbs are useful not only in treating diseases and for rejuvenation
but for awakening all our faculties also
Yogis often take help of herbs to aid in their practice and to stimulate
both prana and the higher mind
Herbs like Ashwagandha are excellent for yoga practice because they
increase our deep vital energies
Herbs are important adjuncts that can catalyze processes that
otherwise may be difficult to achieve
The benefits from herbs accrue over time and require the right diet
and lifestyle regimens to support them
Herbs mainly work at the level of pranamaya kosha, the vital energy
or pranic body

18. Herbs for body
Herbs increase flexibility, promote
circulation and stimulates movement of
energy thus aid in the proper
performance of asanas
Herbs strenthen ojas and through it
promote soma which is higher form of
ojas or vital essence. The build stamina
and endurance, provide nutrition
Herbs cool and cleanse body. They
remoce toxins from body, tissues and
internal organs
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)

19. Herbs for mind and meditation
Herbs acting on mind open channels,
increase cerebral circulation and remove
mucus from head. They increase perception
Herbs increase awareness and intelligence,
strengthening the mind. They increase
soma in the nervous system helping to gain
concentration, contentment and to
overcome pain.
Herbs calm the mind
Vacha (Acorus calamus)
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus
pluricaulis)

20.  Acharya Charak uses the term YOGA in reference to the means of
complete cessation of pains and sufferings. Charak Sharirsthana 1
Yama
1. Ahimsa (not harming)
- Incorporated under Sadvrutta and Achara Rasayana in Ayurvedic
classics
- Considered as ultimate factor to impart Prana (life) in all the
creatures. Maitri (friendship), Karunyata (compassion) are
considered as the qualities of physician to be enriched in, the same
has been mentioned in Yoga sutra as Chitta prasadaka Vruttis
2. Satya (Truthfulness)
- The first factor explained in Achara rasayana
ASHTANG YOGA citations in AYURVEDA

21. 3. Asteya (Not to steal anything from anyone)
- Steya (stealing) is considered as one among the Dashavidha
papa Karmas and is incorporated under the category of bodily
urges which has to be withhold in Ayurveda
4. Brahmacharya (Abstinence from sexual urges)
- Ayurveda gives due consideration to Brahmacharya and thus it
has been integrated under Traya Upasthambhas (three fold
sub pillars of body)
- Brahmacharya imparts increase of Strength, complexion and life
span and is considered as Agrya (paramount issue) in Ayushya
(one which imparts life span)
- Ayurveda employs practice of Brahmacharya in many disease
conditions
5. Aparigraha (free from this attachments of external pleasures)
Dana is considered as a part of Sadvrutta
ASHTANG YOGA citations in AYURVEDA

22.  Niyam
1. Shoucha (purity) - External and Internal cleanliness
-One of the best qualities of physician
2. Tapa
- As per Yoga Shastra, by the regular practice of Tapa (austerity),
mind, body and sense organs become free from their afflictions
-Ayurveda considers Aptas (authority) are said to be free from
Rajas and Tamas which they have attained by the regular practice
of Tapas. Because of this, their words are considered as authentic
-A person who practices Tapa regularly will definitely have Hitayu
-Under Achara rasayana it is mentioned that one should do regular
practice of Japa, Shoucha, Dana and Tapasya
3. Swadhyaya
- The entire Adhyayana vidhi explained by Acharyas refers for
Swadhyaya itself which is a part of Dinacharya (daily regimen)
ASHTANG YOGA citations in AYURVEDA

23. 4. Ishwara Pranidhana
Practical application of dedication towards God is found in many
contexts of Ayurveda like Vishnusahasra Nama is suggested to
chant for curing all types of Jwara
ASHTANG YOGA citations in AYURVEDA

24. Ayurveda recommends asanas as its most
important lifestyle recommendation for
exercise
It also prescribes asanas as most important
treatment measure for various diseases. Half
of ayurvedic treatment is what goes into the
body, which is mainly food. The other half is
what the body does by way of expression,
whhich is mainly exercise. Asana deals with
this
 Asana and food therefore are the two most
important physical treatment measures in
Ayurveda
Asana and Ayurveda

25. As a mean to treat disease by withholding the breath is found in few
places of Ayurveda as in the conditions of fainting
Essential and good for all constitutions as right management of mind
and senses Ayurveda acknowledges significance of Mind in the
maintenance of health
Hina (less), Mithya (wrong) and Ati (excess) utilization of Kala (time),
Artha (sense organs and their objects) and Karma (actions) are the
cause for all diseases either physical or psychological
Therefore Pratyahara is an important first step in treating all mental
disorders
Pranayam, Pratyahara in Ayurveda

26. Dhyana (concentration), Trivarga anvekshana (following the code of
conduct related to virtue, wealth and desire) and Samadhi
(Absorption) are considered as an important tool in Ayurveda for
treating Manasika Rogas (psychological disorders)
The same when get afflicted are considered as the major cause for
disease under the heading of Pragynaparadha
Main ground for the beginning of Ayurveda is itself to eradicate
various miseries, as they became the obstacle for the performance
of Dhyana (concentration), Dharana (meditation) and Samadhi
(absorption) in ancient sages which are the keys to attain the four
fold goals of life
 This is the reason, seers found a remedy called Ayurveda which
includes attainment of overall health viz. physical, mental and
spiritual
Dhyana, Dharana and Samadhi

27. Meditation and Ayurveda
Ayurveda uses meditation as an important
tool for healing the mind
Meditation reduces psychological root or
complications of disease process, which
always exist to some extend
Ayurveda recommends meditation for
treating certain diseases, particularly
psychological diseases
Ayurveda also recommends meditation as
a part of its lifestyle regimen both for
health maintainance and life enhancement

28. Ayurveda and Yoga culminate in the art of meditation
The Ayurvedic knowledge of doshas and pranas help one use meditation
for healing and balancing purposes
The yogic knowledge of the mind and gunas help us use meditation for
self realization
Meditation is like pinnacle of pyramid of Vedic knowledge
It culmunites in a sharp point that penetrates into the infinite
but it rests on a broad base that goes deep into the earth

29. Shatkriya in Yoga and Pancha karma in Ayurveda
Pancha karma five purificatory procedures consist of
therapeutic enemas (Basti), purgatives (Virechan),
emetics (Vaman), nasal administartions (Nasya) and
blood cleansing (Rakta mokshan)
Pancha karma eliminates excess doshas from body.
These follow a preparatory practice of oil
massage and steam therapy to loosen up toxins
and bring them back to digestive tract for their
removal.
These remove toxins from physical as well as subtle
body. It has powerful cleansing and rejuvenating
effect upon bones, muscles, nerves, senses and mind.
Pancha karma is helpful for anyone on a yogic path,
not only for asana but for pranayam and meditation.
Pancha karma can be done as part of detoxification to
start a deeper level of practice or as a regular
measure to prevent toxins from accumulating.
In nutshell, Pancha karma is more
advanced form of Shata kriya.

30. Yoga is complete control of operations of mind. To reach this, one
must have mastery of the body, senses and prana and outer
aspects of personal and social life. For this yoga emphasizes the
relevance of Ayurveda
Ayurveda harmonizes body and prana to enable one to proceed with
inner process of meditation. Ayurvedic healing for mind also
involves inner aspets of yoga like mantra and meditation. Ayurveda
therefore shares the same scope as yoga but with a different
orientation and purpose
Ayurveda shares the dharmic principles of yoga, the yamas and
niyarnas, which are important principles of right living
Relevance of Ayurveda in paths of Yoga

31. Ayurveda certainly far more than bodily healing system, looks to the whole
human being which includes body, mind and soul and addresses all its needs –
from physical health and wellbeing to the unfoldment of higher consciousness
 Both Ayurveda and Yoga agree the role of Manas in disease manifestation
and thus strictly suggested to control it
 Yoga employs Ashtanga Yoga, which is the step by step procedure to control
the Chitta Vruttis and thus attaining the ultimate happiness
On the other hand, in Ayurveda the same theories of Yoga are found, but are
incorporated to fulfill its main objective viz. Health.
The root of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha is the only good health. That
is, we can not get all these four without health
Ayurveda Swasthavrutta, Sadvrutta, Achara Rasayana are parallel to Yama,
Niyama, Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara of Yoga
Without a foundation in ayurvedic knowledge, Yoga runs the risk of becoming
just pure physical exercise
So its combination of Ayurveda and Yoga that together form a complete
approach for optimal health, vitality and higher awarness
which we all seek
So, to summarize