Ayurveda & Yoga
Ayurveda|Sanskrit (n.) ‘The Science of Life’ A traditional system of medicine (incorporated in Atharva Veda, the last of the four vedas), which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment and yogic breathing.
Yoga|Sanskrit Derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’, ‘to unite’. As per yogic scriptures, the practice of yoga leads to the union of Individual Consciousness with that of Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man and Nature.
Being nature lovers and also being very aware of nature’s therapeutic benefits, we wanted to make the most of our unique location and offer our clients something special. So to ensure that our clients fully benefit from their stay with us, we decided to provide them with the opportunity to access Ayurveda, Ayurvedic treatments and Yoga.
What is Ayurveda and what makes what we have to offer unique?
Ayurveda as mentioned above means The Knowledge/Science of Life. It is a holistic system that was born in the region over 5000 years ago and was brought to Europe by Alexander the Great. It has a very rich history and tradition, but the most central to Ayurvedic teachings is to discover the sense and meaning of our existence. Once we understand who we are and what our life purpose is, we can lead happy, healthy and meaningful lives.
We deeply believe that the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda is a treasure trove of endless potential to offer anyone who might want to improve the quality of their lives and most importantly prevent disease.
What makes us exceptional is our approach towards Ayurveda. We truly recognize the unique richness of Nepali biodiversity and we want to make the most of the resources we have around us. Besides the wide variety of Himalayan plants and herbs we also recognize the need for local knowledge about them to be preserved, along with the natural remedies practiced through the generations.
Almost 60% of the Nepali population still depends on Ayurvedic cures, mostly without even the knowledge of it being called “Ayurveda”.
Therefore at The Begnas Lake Resort, we combine the two schools and approaches – local Nepali wisdom and knowledge with the traditional Ayurvedic teachings. This combination is central to our practice.
According to Ayurveda, the entire universe and us human beings are composed from the same 5 elements: Air, Water, Fire, Ether and Earth. Those elements pair up and represent the three main Doshas:
- Vata {space & air}
- Pita {fire & water}
- Kapha {earth & water}
Usually, each of us comprise of 2 predominant doshas but the key to living in optimum health is to have them in balance and only then it is possible to live disease free, in peace with yourself and to your full potential. We and nature are one and the same. Everywhere and every time the harmony in nature is destabilised – destruction, disease and extinction occurs. Therefore the heart of Ayurveda practice is prevention.
Looking after yourself holistically – Be it recognizing the huge importance and meaning of emotions and feelings, looking after your body of course but importantly your soul, your relationships with others and the nature. Everything is connected, significant and equally important.
Following Ayurvedic principles is like a journey in discovering all existing connections, to find your place within them and to get an insight of who you truly are. Ayurveda offers a wide range of tools to support you on your journey.
What treatments do we offer and what to expect
The first step before any treatment/overtures is to meet with an Ayurvedic Practitioner/ Doctor who through detailed examination will establish your health condition and prescribe the right treatment. You will be asked numerous detailed questions, the Doctor will also observe the way you communicate, your body language and your appearance. One of the important keys for diagnosis is taking the pulse. Based on the outcome you will be provided with a detailed treatment plan which does not include only several procedures, but also specific diet recommendations, breathing and yoga exercises and routine suggestions.
In Ayurveda we do have two main types of treatments:
1) Sodhan Chikitsa
Purification Therapies
The main aim of the treatment is to eliminate toxins from of the body choosing the most suitable method. Depending on the human constituency and the desired outcome it can be:
- Vamana – therapeutic vomiting or emesis
- Virechana – Purgation
- Nasya – elimination of toxins through the nose
- Vasathy – Enema therapy
- Rakta Moksha – blood detoxification
2) Shamana Chikitsa
Alleviating Therapies
These treatments are less invasive and much gentler. The purpose is to balance all three doshas. They are focused on reducing and eliminating the symptoms. During these treatments, we use herbal remedies and put an emphasis on the right diet and exercise.
Yoga
Yoga in Sanskrit means Unity. When we practice together we are all united, connected, and integral. The same principles apply in Ayurvedic teachings. Both Yoga and Ayurveda originated as part of a greater system of Vedic knowledge and both are based on the same principles of trigunas:
- Satva Guna – The Spiritual qualities of a person
- Rajas Guna – The active qualities of a person
- Tamas Guna – The Material qualities of a person and
- Panchamahabuthas (The Five Elements)
Ayurveda and Yoga go hand in hand, complementing each other and maximizing each other’s benefits. They both emphasise the important role of body movement, meditation, spiritual practices and healthy eating. They both also recognize the complexity of human nature and they diversify the practice to support and develop different aspects of our existence. Practiced symbiotically, they offer a deeper experience and transformation.
To offer this holistic symbiosis, we have a two yoga teachers trained in Patanjali and Hatha Yoga who run the classes twice a day. We also collaborate with esteemed yoga teachers and host Yoga Retreats. Our fantastic kitchen staff has been trained to produce delicious, food in the best way to extract medical properties from the plants to nourish the body and spirit. Ingredients we use in our kitchen often come from our Ayurvedic and Organic Garden which you can visit to familiarize yourself with the different plants used in treatments.