Ayurvedic Philosophy, Diet & Lifestyle

Sunday, September 23, 2007

10:00 am – 5:00 pm,

(90 minute break for lunch)

$50.00 early registration prior to September 15^th, $55.00 after September 15^th

Please call 301-424-6644 to register by phone and pay by credit card

Minimum 10 people required for pre-registration for class to proceed

Ayurveda is the knowledge that indicates which activities and eating habits are appropriate and inappropriate, auspicious and inauspicious, what brings happiness and sorrow, as well as what increases the measure of

life itself

- Charaka Samhita 1.41

What is Ayurveda? The term Ayurveda literally means the “knowledge of longevity” and it is the oldest and the most comprehensive system of healing in the world; it has its roots in the philosophy of the Vedas of ancient India. It is an integral part of yogic psychology, philosophy and practice. Ayurveda relies on the six systems of Indian Philosophy, the Shad Darshan, for its founding principles, particularly Sankhya philosophy, a system that describes the nature of creation and its evolution as it relates to human experience.

The goal of Ayurveda is to restore balance to the body, mind and soul. Disease is seen as the abnormal expression of tridosha – vata, pitta and kapha – and to restore health, the increased dosha must be pacified and returned to its normal state. At the same time the destruction of the tissues and organs, caused by the imbalanced doshas, must be addressed and suitable therapies must be used to restore their function. In Ayurveda prevention is emphasized. It is easier to treat disease at its accumulation stage than at the later stages of complication and destruction. The reasons are obvious.

In this lecture the underlying theory of Ayurveda will be discussed along with some practical lifestyle and dietary guidelines.

Dr. Brendan Feeley is an internationally recognized author, speaker, teacher and consultant in Ayurveda and Jyotish (Vedic Astrology). He has an M.A. degree in Jung’s depth psychology and doctorate degrees in naturopathy and homeopathy. His practice is based in Rockville, MD. He is a faculty member of the American Council of Vedic Astrologers (ACVA), a member of the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA), and the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. He can be reached at 301-424-6644 or by e-mail at bpfeeley@aol.com.