1. Ayurveda The Science of Life
Melanie Davis
Kaplan University
March 10, 2015

2. Welcome to Day 1 Introductions Review Syllabus Handouts
Name
Any knowledge of Ayurveda
Expectations of course
Review Syllabus
Handouts
What is Ayurveda?
Western vs Ayurveda
Dosha’s and Yoga
I just want to welcome everyone again to Day 1 of Ayurveda: Science of Life. I chose this picture of a happy Buddha. This is how we should feel today and every day. Just happy and not afraid to show it or feel it. I thought this little happy Buddha would put smile on our face this morning!
I want to start this day off with a short introduction of myself and each one of you.
My name is Melanie. Ayurveda captivated my attention when I first learned of it in my studies of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) class; beyond that most of my further studies have been self-exploration. My expectation from this course is to be able to captivate your attention to this way of healing and provide you all with a deeper understanding of the practices of Ayurveda.
Continue through the class introductions.
Review the syllabus.
Have a volunteer pass out the hand outs.
Today we will discuss what Ayurveda is in some detail. Then we’ll evaluate the differences in Western Medicne and Ayurveda Medicines. Then talk about our Dosha’s and how Yoga is used in Ayurveda.
I will also allow a quick 10 minute break during this class; that’s long enough to use the restroom and grab some water. I have some infused water up here for each of you to enjoy during the break.
So let’s begin…

3. What is Ayurveda? ayus = life veda = science Science of Life
Traditional Hindu system of medicine
Originated over 5000 yrs ago in India
Prevent and treat illness/disease
Balance mind, body, and consciousness
Proper drinking, diet, and lifestyle
herbal remedies, yoga, and meditation
Prevent unnecessary suffering
Slow the degenerative process
Patient centered system of healing
Focus is on the patient not the disease
“Ayurveda is the traditional Hindu system of medicine, which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing” (google.com). The term Ayurveda comes from the Sanskirt words ayus meaning life and veda meaning science. Ayurveda originated in India roughly 5000 years ago however has made it’s way into Western culture as alternative to the conventional medical system (umm.edu). To prevent and treat illness and disease in a person, Ayurveda’s basic principles are to balance the mind, body, and consciousness by eating and drinking properly and maintaining a proper lifestyle; also herbal remedies and meditation are uses to assist in the balancing (umm.edu).
Ayurveda employs the belief to prevent unnecessary suffering and slow the degenerative process through nutritional guidance, herbal medicines, exercise therapy, transcendental mediation, special rejuvenation, and purification therapies (orlandoayurveda.com). Ayurveda focuses on the type of person not the type of disease making Ayurveda patient centered (orlandoayurveda.com).
So far I’ve given you a lot of information on the basic principles of Ayurveda. Are there any questions thus far?
The next thing I want to discuss is the difference between Western Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine.

4. Western vs Ayurvedic Medicine
Western Medicine focuses on the disease and treatment of the symptoms with drugs or other substances
Ayurvedic Medicine focuses on the root cause of the illness; shifting the mind and body back into balance
When I say Western Medicine, do you understand what that means? Yes, it means conventional; what we have here in the States; the healthcare system we have now.
As I mentioned in the last slide, Ayurveda is patient centered. In Western medicine, the practitioner first diagnosis the patient with illness or disease, then seeks treatment for the symptoms with medications and other substances (yogicameron.com). In Ayurvedic medicine, the practitioner determines the root cause of the illness and shifts the body and mind back into balance (yogicameron.com). However, each system has it’s place in our healthcare but differ immensely.
I have provided you each a hand out with the differences in Western vs Ayurvedic Medicine.
What are some areas that stand out to you and why?
Let’s take that 10 minute break I talked about earlier! If you would like to try the infused water, please help yourself.

5. Dosha’s and Yoga Dosha Yoga for each Dosha Vata (wind) Pitta (fire)
Kapha (Earth)
Balanced and imbalanced
Eating for your Dosha
Yoga for each Dosha
Breathing techniques
Poses to balance your dosha
Ayurveda is the study of self understanding (ayurvedacollege.com). By understand our own unique nature, or what the Ayurvedic culture calls our constitution, we learn how to interact with our environment, ultimately making choices that lead us to our best health possible (ayurvedacollege.com). Living out of balance of our constitution results in disease according to the Ayurvedic culture. Our constitution describes our fundamental being, our bone structure, and certain health challenges (ayurvedacollege.com). Our ideal constitution is created by the balance of energies with our bodies and mind (ayurvedacollege.com). When we move out of this ideal balance, that is when sickness and disease happen upon us (ayurvedacollege.com). Our path to wellness is unique to each person depending on their constitution (ayurvedacollege.com).
Has anyone heard the term Tridosha? It is the three energies that define our constitution on the emotional and physical level. They are known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each has a balance with the other two energies to create harmony within (ayurvedacollege.com). While many may be predominant in one energy, others may be a mixture of them all.
We will go into further detail in the next session about Dosha’s however, I wanted to give you a little introduction to the energies that we have within.
Who here has take a Yoga class before? Okay, many of us have. We all are aware of the postures (Asanas) that help us develop a deeper stretch, making us more flexible while creating alignment in the body. Well Yoga is also used as a therapy as a resolution to common ailments. When we reference back to illness, it’s the imbalance of our energies, or the 3 Dosha’s. When we use Yoga in Ayurveda, we are creating balance with these energies. There are many postures that can be used to create balance. We’ll explore more of the Yoga aspect in the 3rd and final session of the course.
Conclude with a an overview of the class and see if anyone has questions; address them.

6. Welcome to Day 2 Review Dosha from Day 1 Take the Dosha test
Discuss each Dosha
Dosha Nurtirion
Reflections
Welcome to Day 2 of Ayurveda: Science of Life. I’m glad you could all make it.
Today we will review the concept of the Dosha, take a Dosha test to determine your Dosha, discuss what our Dosha in a little more detail and go over the foods for each Dosha. After all of that, we will take a few minutes to reflect and share our reflections, if anyone wishes…
Again, we will take a 10 minute break; there is water as well.
Any questions about what we went over last week? What are your thoughts regarding Ayurveda?
Do you think you will incorporate more Ayurveda in your life?

7. Doshas Our constitution Our energies Vata Pitta Kapha
Our fundamental being
Our energies
In balance
Happy and Healthy
Out of balance
Sickness and Disease
Vata
Air and ether elements
Pitta
Fire and water elements
Kapha
Water and Earth elements
Who can recall what our constitution is? Correct! It’s our fundamental being; our unique fingerprint so to say. We spoke about our constitution being in balance to avoid sickness and disease. And that balance is between the energies. The energies again are our Dosha. Remember how I stated we would be predominantly one or maybe a mixture of the three? Well we are going to cover them all today.
Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three energies that are referenced when we speak of Dosha. Here you’ll see a quick description of each one. So it may not mean much to you know but you’ll be taking a little quiz to determine your Dosha.
We have set up each computer for your use. We only have 10 so we will have to share them. So the first 10 people in these rows, please get to computer. For the rest of the group, you may mingle and have some water. As soon as a computer comes free, individuals at the computer please come get another person to take your place.
For those at the computer, please go to: and it’s also written on the board here.
You will scroll down a little on the page to where it states: The Dosha Quiz. You will begin there by answering the questions. Please read the brief instructions. Once you have submitted your answers you will be asked to subscribe or no, please take me to the results. Choose which ever you would like, then on your quiz page, please print that page, Luckily, we all have a computer synched to a printer (how lovely that is…in a perfect world). Then continue on to step 2. Because we are limited on time and computers, please do not spend time on reading the results. Just print and continue then take the print outs back to your desk and review them. You are all welcome to water as well.
Once all have completed the test, review the results. Ask questions regarding their results. Then start the slides again to reflect on each one a little further.

8. Vata Light, cool, dry and mobile
Bodies characteristics: light, bones thin, and dry skin/hair
Move and speak quickly
In balance:
Talkative, enthusiastic, creative, flexible and energetic
Out of balance:
Confused, overwhelmed, difficulty with focusing, decisions and sleep
Bring balance:
Warmth, heaviness, moistness, and stability
Cooked grains, warm milk with spices
Discuss the elements of Vata from the slide.

9. Pitta Fire and water elements
Body characteristics: feel warm, oily skin, sharp eyes and features
Highly focuses, competitive, capable, courageous, and energetic
Great friend, fear enemy
Out of balance
Diarrhea, infections, skin rashes, and liver, spleen, blood weakness
Overly intense and have a sharp tongue
Bring balance:
Coolness, heaviness, dryness
Cool spices are recommended
Raw veggies, cooked rice, beans
Discuss the elements of Pitta from the slide.

10. Kapha Water and Earth elements Cool, moist, stable, and heavy
Body qualities:
dense, heavy bones, supple skin, large stocky frames
Most prone to diabetes
Handle stress well and stable personality
Comfort seekers but too much to lead to lack of motivation
Out of balance:
gain weight, weakness in lungs/sinuses, heavy emotions
Bring balance:
lightness, dryness, and warmth; aroma and color therapy, detoxification, yoga and meditation
Discuss the elements of Kapha from the slide.

11. Our constitution
“We must remember that we are all a combination of the three doshic energies.
On the most fundamental level, Pitta is our metabolism, Kapha our structure and Vata the mobility that brings action and life into creation. Without all three energies, we simply could not exist.”
I found this piece of information on the site for the Ayurveda College. I thought you all might like this and it will also clear up any confusion we may have regarding our Dosha or perhaps we were a bi or tri dosha. I encourage you all to understand your Dosha closer to understand your constitution.
Let’s take a 10 minute break.

12. Dosha Nutrition Vata: Pitta: Kapha:
More grains, oils, salt, and a little spice
Avoid too many salads, fruits, and beans
Tend to become anxious, constipated, and experience sleeplessness
Pitta:
More raw veggies; foods that are mild In spice; Large salads are great!
Greater incidence of skin rashes, liver weakness and anger with spicy foods
Kapha:
Lighter foods i.e., salads and vegetables; thrive on hot spicy foods
Avoid all sweets, dairy, and nuts and most grains like wheat and rice
Millet and quinoa can be a substitution
At the end of this slide: I encourage each of you to read and understand your Dosha more in detail. Also, start using the nutrition hand out and incorporate some of the Dosha foods into your diet for the next week; or maybe remove some. I’d love to hear about how this knowledge is impacting your life.

13. Reflection What have you learned about your constitution?
What will you take away from todays session and incorporate into you life to become more balance?
Do you consume the right foods for your Dosha or do you feel you need to make changes?
“Nothing is right for everyone, everything is right for someone”
(Dr. Marc Halpern
President of the CA College of Ayurveda)
Before we end our session today, I would like for us all to take about 5 minutes to reflect on your learnings today. I will turn on some soothing music to help the creative juices.
**recite the bullet points**
After the 5 minutes, we can discuss a few of your reflections if you’d like and then answer questions. Go ahead…
**Conclude Day 2; Review reflections if anyone would like to share**

14. Welcome to Day 3 Review Dosha’s the the Dosha Quiz
Final day together!
Review Dosha’s the the Dosha Quiz
Discuss findings with Dosha Nutrition
Guest Yoga Instructor
Celena
Yoga introduction
Yoga practice
Wrap up
Welcome to Day 3 of Ayurveda: Science of Life! I’m torn on my feelings about today because it’s that last day together but I’m sure you are all excited it’s the last day!
Anyway, are we feeling like our happy little Buddha yet?
Today we have a busy and active day! I see you all wore your comfortable attire which is great! Today we will review the Dosha’s and the discuss the Dosha Quiz. We’ll talk a little bit about your findings with the Dosha nutrition portion.
Then to the fun part! We have a wonderful guest today to instruct us on some Yoga poses for our Dosha. We will also be able to do some Yoga with her!
So are there any questions before we begin todays session?
Feel free to help yourself to the water. We will not have the time for a break but please take one when you need to.

15. Dosha’s in review… Dosha’s are our energies
In balance prevents disease and illness
Bring back to balance through:
Proper nutrition for dominant Dosha
Yoga and meditation
3 energies
Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire), Kapha (Water)
Anything else that stood out to you?
Discuss the topics on the slide.
Is there any else that may have stood out or is important to any of you?
Did anyone happen to do any further research on these topics since you left last week? If so, what did you find that was interesting to you?

16. Dosha nutrition… Vata: Pitta: Kapha:
More grains, oils, salt, and a little spice
Avoid too many salads, fruits, and beans
Tend to become anxious, constipated, and experience sleeplessness
Pitta:
More raw veggies; foods that are mild In spice; Large salads are great!
Greater incidence of skin rashes, liver weakness and anger with spicy foods
Kapha:
Lighter foods i.e., salads and vegetables; thrive on hot spicy foods
Avoid all sweets, dairy, and nuts and most grains like wheat and rice
Millet and quinoa can be a substitution
Review the Dosha nutrition from the slide.
Would anyone care to share their experience with their Dosha nutrition? Thank you for sharing…
It seems you all have a good foundation of understanding of the Dosha’s. So let me introduce our Guest Yoga Instructor, Celena.

17. Yoga with Celena Mother of 2 handsome boys (3.5 and 5 months)
Practicing yoga for 5 years
200 hour Yoga trainer certified
Learned it and loved it!
Decided to get certified
Practice daily
Additional teaching hours and certifications
Love to teach others how to ward off
Common complaints
Favorite poses:
Inversions
Dancers’ Pose
Flying Pigeon Pose
Celena comes to us with much experience. I’ll let her do the talking now…
Celena discusses what is on the slide and incorporates how she was able to learn more about the Ayurvedic Yoga.
Then she introduces the Dosha Yoga to the group.

18. Dosha Yoga
Each Dosha, when out of balance, will have its own posture/sequence of postures to create harmony in the body
Vata:
Quiet the mind and body
Relaxing, settling poses
Pitta:
Cool off the body from excessive heat
Calming, restorative poses
Kapha:
Warm the body up
Active, invigorating poses
Celena’s Dosha Yoga Introduction:
For each Dosha, a posture or series of postures will help to bring the body back to balance.
In Vata, the goal is to quiet the busy mind and body; the poses must be relaxing and settling poses like in Tree Pose.
Pitta’s tend to stay warm so the goal is cool off the body; the poses aim to be calming and restorative like in Warrior.
Warming up the body for the Kapha’s is important since they tend to stay cool. Poses that are active and invigorating will be ideal. Inversions are a great example of that but they take time and a lot of practice.
Please take a mat from the back of the room, you will not need anything else. You may remove your shoes and get comfortable.
**dim lights and start music**

19. Guided Practice Calming, settling poses Cooling, restorative poses
Tree Pose
Child’s Pose
Cat and cow
Cooling, restorative poses
Warrior
Half Moon
Active, invigorating poses
Backbends
Standing poses ~ Warrior held for 20 breaths

20. In Conclusion… Ayurveda Western medicine vs Ayurvedic medicine
Our Constitution
Our Dosha
Keep it in balance
Dosha Nourishment
Yoga for each Dosha
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.”
B.K.S. Iyengar
So to conclude this 3 week session on Ayurveda: Science of Life, I wanted to just go through the things we learned and ask if there are any questions.
So is everyone comfortable with Ayurveda and it’s principles?
How did you enjoy the comparison of our conventional system here in the States vs what Ayurveda offers?
And our constitution and our dosha? That they are our energies and keeing them in balance and nourishing them is very important to ward off disease and illness. Be sure to reference that hand out I gave you regarding Dosha foods.
And the yoga session? Did you all enjoy that? It was an easy flow session but definitely got us moving and quieting our minds a little. You were also provided another hand out regarding yoga poses. Please take that home, post if you must, but keep practicing the movements. Especially the poses that are to bring your Dosha back into balance.

21. References
Ayurveda and Illness. (n.d.). Retrieved March 8, 2015, from
Orlando Ayurveda. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2015, from
East vs. West - HeyMonicaB. (2010, March 9). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from
Principles of Ayurvedic Nutrition | CA College of Ayurveda. (n.d.). Retrieved March 9, 2015, from
Ayurveda and Yoga Postures. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from