by Sylvana Janssen
It has become increasingly popular in the past years however, for many, the question remains: What is Ayurveda? Simply put in its pure definition, Ayurveda is the science of life. It comes from the Sanskrit words ayu, meaning life, and veda, meaning knowledge or insightful knowing, and is a complete medical system that is made of a combination of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatment principles.
Not so simply put, Ayurveda stands for a way of living, a kind of life lived by consciousness and a state of awareness. It is not a technique or a herbal formulation but is the way in which people realize the truth that led their life originally (and, most importantly, want to realize, as this takes both courage, to change deeply and live in harmony with yourself and the surrounding world, and grit, to push your own boundaries and commit to this way of living). It is your option to live the life you want.
Ayurveda stands for a way of living, a kind of life lived by consciousness and a state of awareness.
– AZEȲA –
Life as we know it is a mix of emotions, relationships, obligations, exercise, spiritual pursuits, everything–diet and daily routines. These are variables that we rarely consciously alter in order to help them work seamlessly together. We usually find ourselves stuck in unhealthy routines and diets and frail relationships, looking at them as loose factors and not entirely understanding their connection.
Eastern medicine is looking to tie all these factors together and to help us understand how what we do, think, feel, eat, buy, and expose ourselves to, affects our bodies, minds, spirits, and ultimately our relationships. From that deep understanding, we can alter things to improve our lives.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science and it originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, being often called the “Mother of All Healing.” It stems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples. In Hinduism, Brahma is seen as the creator god, self-born, Lord of Speech, and creator of the four Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, Ayurveda looks at the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - to find the root cause of imbalance and support long-term wellness. It emphasizes prevention, natural remedies, and harmony with nature’s rhythms.
The three doshas
At the heart of Ayurveda are the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are biological energies that govern all physical and mental processes in the body. Everyone has a unique combination of these doshas that forms their constitution, or Prakriti. When your doshas are in balance, you feel energetic, radiant, and healthy. But when they become imbalanced, either due to stress, diet, lifestyle, or seasonal changes, health issues can arise.
Vata is associated with air and space, and it controls movement, circulation, and communication; when balanced, it brings creativity and vitality.
Pitta, made of fire and water, governs metabolism, digestion, and transformation, giving us drive, clarity, and radiance when in harmony.
Kapha, composed of earth and water, provides structure, stability, and moisture, offering calmness and strength when balanced.
Ayurveda as a Timeless Beauty Ritual
Rather than chasing quick fixes or surface-level results, Ayurveda nurtures beauty from the inside out by focusing on digestion, stress reduction, and aligning with your natural rhythms. It teaches that when your doshas are in balance, your skin glows, your hair shines, and your energy remains steady as you age. Practices like self-massage with herbal oils, eating seasonal foods for your dosha, and supporting restful sleep aren’t just wellness habits, they’re time-honored rituals that slow down the aging process while enhancing natural beauty in the most authentic way.
Ayurveda offers practical tools to restore balance through personalized nutrition, daily routines (Dinacharya), herbal support, self-care rituals, and mindful movement. From glowing skin and better digestion to hormonal harmony and emotional clarity, this ancient system empowers you to take charge of your well-being in a gentle, sustainable way. It’s not just a treatment, it’s a lifestyle rooted in self-awareness, nature, and deep healing.
Want to learn more on how to use Ayurvedic routines and rituals for renewed vitality and slow aging? Start by taking our quiz to reveal your personalized well-being plan.
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Sylvana is a certified Ayurvedic lifestyle coach, yoga instructor, and founder of AZEȲA. Her vision is to empower people to reconnect with themselves and the world around them, fostering a space of holistic well-being and transformation. She brings this vision to life by blending ancient wisdom with modern living to inspire meaningful, lasting change.
