The Saraswati Center @ West Seattle Yoga and Ayurveda

Integrating Today's Yoga with Ancient Ayurvedic Tradition

WELCOME WEEKLY CALENDAR YOGA CLASSES SEATTLE ASTROLOGY PILATES CLASSES PRIVATE INSTRUCTION WORKSHOPS AYURVEDA MASSAGE JYOTISH YANTRIC ART ARTICLES STAFF BIOS

2140 California Avenue S.W. Seattle, WA. 98126
Located in the Admiral District of West Seattle
206.937.2009
info@westseattleyoga.com
Map & Directions

ARTICLE

Light of Jyotisha on Ayurveda and Yoga

- Melanie Farmer

JYOTISH, AYURVEDA & YOGA

Yoga is an ancient system of enlightenment that has become something of a fitness 'trend'. At risk is yoga's core purpose - to heal the mind of fear, delusion, confusion, and sorrow. To understand yoga more correctly, it is important to understand ayurveda and jyotish. Yoga, ayurveda and jyotisha are integrated dharma systems of wellness and enlightenment.

Ayurveda is the science of life and healing aspect of yoga. Jyotish is the science of light, giving us the timing at which our karmas unfold. Yoga is the science of mind;the spiritual application of practices purifying our karmas.

DHARMA & FOUR KARMAS

Dharma is Sanskrit terminology referring to nature's laws and truths. We are all held in dharmic principle. By basing our actions in dharma, we gain the support of the universe.

Karma is dharmic law and best known in the West. The balance of karma takes place over many lifetimes. Our actions create karmic residue corresponding to dharma or adharma, universal truth or NOT. This karmic residue generates samskaras; impressions generating a variety of results.

Sanchita karma are accumulated actions and represent all our past. Sanchita appears within our soul/ casual body.
Prarabdha karma represent karmas currently in experience.
We experience sanchita and prabdha karmas now. Both sanchita and prabdha karma are fixed karmas.
Kriyamana karma is what we are now creating.
Agami karma is created through projection and dreaming. Kriyamana and agami karmas are changeable.
We may experience karma as obstacles in the form of disease, doubt, negligence, attachment, escape, delusion, confusion, fear and sorrow as well as a lack of stability in body and breath.

AYURVEDA

Ayurveda treats our physical obstacles, preparing the body for yoga that heal and spiritualize the mind. Ayurveda is a dharma karma medicine and when practiced with jyotish, treats doshas by planetary influence. Doshas are conditions called vata, pitta and kapha, which in turn, represent combined elements of fire, water, earth, air and space.

YOGA

The sun and the moon represent the nadis, subtle channels aligned with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Nadis and chakras represent the subtle aspect of the endocrine system, regulating hormonal and biochemical functions in the body. Balancing the nervous and endocrine system through the combined practices of asana, pranayama and ayurveda, treats the MIND.

JYOTISHA

Jyotish is the actual study of light emanating from the sun, moon, stars and planets. It involves the calculation of planetary positions, stars and other points in the sky. Jyotish supplies us with a karmic blueprint called our natal chart. The time, date and place of our birth generate the natal chart. The natal chart, through placement of the luminaries, reveals karma binding us in this lifetime. Jyotish guides choice in ayurvedic remedy and dharmic support; aiding us in realizing our svadharma (fulfillment of our potential).

THE PLANETS & DOSHA

Saturn and rahu dosha is vata. Vata qualities are contracting, dry, cold and in excess, is experienced as fear. Mars, sun and ketu's dosha is pitta. Pitta has the affect of heat and inflammation and in excess, is experienced as anger and frustration. Jupiter, moon and venus dosha is kapha. Kapha is heavy, damp and cold and in excess, is experienced as depression or apathy. Mercury's dosha is tridoshic, taking on the quality of the planet placed with it or by aspect. Many astrologers consider Mercury a vata planet.

Gunas are also reveled by planetary placement. Gunas are the qualities of sattva, rajas and tamas. Sattva represents crystal-clear perception. Tamas represents cloudy or dense perception while rajas represents fire and the heat that results in striving for perception.

MENU