Your first Ayurvedic Consultation, What to expect.

Have you scheduled your first Ayurvedic consultation? Or are considering making an appointment? Let’s face it, you might not know anybody who has had an Ayurvedic consultation before to discuss what one is exactly like. So if you feel apprehensive about your first Ayurvedic consultation, then you are not alone. Many people feel the same way, and the reason is that they just don’t know what to expect. You may have a lot of questions such as, will it be similar my other doctors’ visits? Do I need to know what Ayurveda is? The answer to your questions is no. Then what should you expect?

You don’t have to be sick to benefit from a private Ayurvedic consultation. You can have an Ayurvedic consultation simply to know better about yourself.

An Ayurvedic doctor can help you understand your Ayurvedic constitution (dosha), which may always be helpful in many cases.

In times of illness, an individual consultation can give you a new point of view on your condition and help you work with your symptoms for better results.

Now that you are ready to take a plunge into this holistic approach, it’s time to divulge into the things that you can look forward to in your initial Ayurvedic consultation.

When getting your initial consultation, be prepared to spend about an hour with the practitioner. Ayurvedic consultation involves a thorough examination of your body through which the consultant really gets to know you. It consists of examining important areas of the body and their functioning, which reveals the balances and imbalances in your body.

Pulse – Taking the pulse is to determine one’s constitution and the current state of imbalance in the body. The pulse is taken on the right wrist for men and left for women. Ayurvedic practitioners feel the pulse to determine the strength of vata, pitta, and kapha in the body.

Urine – The color, frequency, any Pain or discomfort during urination and the quantity of ones urine can indicate their hydration level, if there is enough fluid intake, complications and dosha imbalances.

Stools – Our Daily elimination is an indication of our digestive health. The consistency of ones stools can reveal a lot about ones imbalances.

Tongue – Ayurvedic examination includes, the consultant checking the color, shape, presence of scallops on the sides, movement, coating, or cracking on the tongue.

Eyes – since the doshas affect the shape and the colour of the eyes, an eye examination is a very important part of any Ayurvedic consultation.

Nails – nails are also indicators of imbalances in the body.

General appearance – One’s body shape, colour and texture of hair and even their energy levels, can indicate the predominance of vata, pitta, or kapha in the body.

After evaluating all these aspects the Ayurvedic doctor will make a very clear suggestion on the Ayurvedic practices that one should adopt in terms of food, lifestyle, meditation etc., the most important aspect to be Remembered is that most Ayurvedic practices involve lifestyle and diet changes that take time to implement. Hence it is highly suggested to make one change at a time for better results

Now that you know a few things on what to expect on your first Ayurveda consultation, get on with your first visit or start scheduling one! Contact us here for more information.

Ayurveda Terminology & Basic Treatment Guide 

 Abhyangam: Abhyanga is a massage that’s done with warm oil. 

  • The oil is applied to the entire body, from the scalp to the soles of your feet. 
  • It’s the most popular massage in Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine from India.

Agni: Translates to “fire” and is commonly referred to in the context of digestion and metabolism

  • If you have strong agni, you have strong and balanced health in mind and body.
  • His agni is so strong that he can eat almost anything!
  • Did you know that certain foods can increase agni while others decrease it?

Ama: A toxin or sludge that’s produced when we don’t fully digest or cleanse regularly

  • There are ways to decrease ama easily by making small changes to your daily routine and diet.
  • Did you know that ginger often increases agni and decreases ama?

Asana: A limb of yoga philosophy that refers to the physical postures or poses

  • There are 84 traditional yoga asanas.
  • A yoga class is several yoga asanas put together in a sequence.
  • There are many different styles of yoga. What’s your favourite style of yoga asana?

Ayurveda: The science of life supported by the integration and vitality of mind, body, and spirit

  • Ayurveda is both simple and intuitive.
  • I love Ayurvedic principles because it’s not one-size-fits-all wellness.
  • Ayurveda understands that each of us is unique and different when it comes to balance and health.
  • How do you pronounce Ayurveda? Eye-Yur-Veda.

Bija: Meaning “seed of sound” most commonly used in reference to mantras

  • A bija is a seed of sound that carries a subtle rather than direct meaning with it.
  • The bija I use in my meditation is unique to me and carries the resonance of peace.
  • Do you know your unique Primordial Sound bija?

Chakra: Wheel of subtle energy

  • You have seven main chakra centres that run along the length of your spine, which are a connection point between your physical and energetic body.
  • I want to open my heart chakra more and become more loving and compassionate toward myself and others.
  • Did you know that each main chakra has a colour associated with it?

Dosha: Your Ayurvedic mind-body type or combination of earth elements: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

  • Each of three energies believed to circulate in the body and govern physiological activity, their differing proportions determining individual temperament and physical constitution and (when unbalanced) causing a disposition to particular physical and mental disorders.
  • By understanding your dosha, you can determine your unique lifestyle plan for balance.
  • The foods that provide balance to me are different than those beneficial to my spouse as we have different doshas.
  • What’s your dosha?

Ghee: A type of butter that is clarified by boiling

  • Ghee separates the fat from the milk solids which makes it dairy-free.
  • I make my own Ghee at home weekly.

Kitchari: Means mixture and usually is a combination of two grains that are both easy and nourishing   to digest

  • Kitchari is the best food to eat when you’re doing a cleanse like panchakarma.
  • Traditional kitchari consists of beans and rice.
  • kitchari is really easy to make at home.

Ojas: The subtle force in your body that provides health, digestion, strength, and vitality

  • By following simple Ayurvedic principles each day, you can increase your ojas.
  • When I’m mindful of what I’m eating, I notice a feeling of vitality or ojas.
  • Did you know that eating your largest meal of the day at lunch can increase your ojas naturally?

Mantra: Mind tool or vehicle of the mind

  • Mantra meditation reminds us that thoughts during meditation are normal and to be expected.
  • When I meditate, I don’t try to get rid of my thoughts but, instead, use a mantra to help me feel peaceful and not get distracted.
  • Have you ever participated in a mantra meditation with an App?

Neti: The process of flushing out the nasal channels using a saline fluid

  • Using a neti each morning is a simple and effective way to clear congestion.
  • Did you know that using a neti pot can help with allergies too?

Padabhyangam: Padabhyangam can be loosely translated as “foot massage “or “foot therapy”. 

  • This therapy holds a special place of importance in Ayurveda because our feet connect our body with the earth.
  •  Foot care is holistic and involves massaging the pressure points with herbal and medicinal oils.

Panchakarma: PanchaKarma (meaning ‘Five Treatments’) is a full cleansing program that removes all the harmful toxins from the body to create optimum healing conditions.

  • Traditionally, panchakarma is done along with the changing of the seasons for maximum benefit.
  • I find panchakarma to not only detox my body but also rejuvenate my mind and spirit.
  • Have you ever gone on a retreat to do panchakarma?

Prakriti: Your essential nature and unique combination of earth elements or dosha determined at birth

  • Your prakriti is your primary nature and doesn’t change.
  • I think of my prakriti as my blueprint for balance or me as the most balanced version of myself.
  • My prakriti is Vata/Pitta. What’s your primary dosha?

Prana: Our vital life force or breath

  • Whether we notice it or not, prana is always flowing within us and all around us.
  • I notice the strength of my prana the most after yoga.
  • Have you ever tried specific breathing exercises to increase your prana?

Shirodhara: Shirodhara comes from the two Sanskrit words “shiro” (head) and “dhara” (flow). 

  • It’s an Ayurvedic healing technique that involves having someone pour liquid — usually oil, milk, buttermilk, or water — onto your forehead. 
  • It’s often combined with a body, scalp, or head massage

Shiroabhyangam: Shiro Abhyanga is a word comprising of 2 terms, Shiro meaning head, … 

  • The basic material needed for Shiro Abhyanga is oil.

Srota: The channels of circulation in the body

  • Srotas are present throughout your body and are both visible and energetic.
  • When I feel nasal congestion, I know the srotas in my nose aren’t open the way they should be.
  • Have you ever had an Ayurvedic srota massage?

Vikruti: Translates to “after creation” and reflects the combination of earth elements in your mind and body right now