ACCORDING TO THE ANCIENT wisdom of Ayurveda, rasayama (the practice of antiaging therapies) is not limited to bringing a young look from the outside. Rather, it aims at enhancing physical stamina, mental function and disease resistance. Rasayana is an attempt to reverse biological age, to turn back the biological clock.
Rasa is a Sanskrit word that refers to the nutritious fluid prepared in our body after our food is properly digested. Rasayana means that branch of therapeutics (one of the eight traditional branches of Ayurveda) which aims at producing better quality rasa, which in turn gives rise to better tissues. A byproduct of this is a younger-looking face and appearance.
Before trying anti-aging herbs or other techniques, it is first necessary to rid the body of the impurities deeply embedded in our tissues. Shodhana is the Sanskrit term for purification and cleansing. One Ayurvedic method of detoxification is the practice of panchakarma. After panchakarma, rasayana – rejuvenation or anti-aging therapies, are administered. It is important to remember that anti-aging treatments do not comprise only of special herbs, such as amla (Indian gooseberry, Emblica officinalis), they also include regulating the diet and adopting lifestyle practices. In relation to diet it is imperative to reduce the total quantity of food we consume, along with incorporating wholesome items in our menu. In the language of Ayurveda, wholesome foods are abundant in prana (natural life-energy): ripe, whole and freshly prepared, that we are able to metabolize without throwing us out of balance.
Lifestyle that supports rejuvenation is multifaceted and includes not just what we do, but how we do it. A positive attitude in life and regular spiritual practice both enhance the outcome of herbs and foods. Meditation, under the guidance of an able teacher, consistent Yoga, breathing exercises and enjoying sources of clean air and water all support our quest to remain vital youthful. There may be some truth to the epic quests for the mythic fountains of youth when we consider the importance of water. According to Ayurveda, it is a fountain we drink from daily, and one we need to actively devote our attention to replenishing. Supporting the purity of our homes, the microcosm, as well as the macrocosm, our internal selves and our greater community, are all vital to allow us to enjoy the full promise of Ayurveda.
Dr. U.K. Krishna holds a PhD in genetic toxicology (biochemistry) from Okayama University and is currently the director of Nippon Ayurveda School in Japan. He is conducting a workshop in Ayurveda and Anti-Aging, August 1 – 2 at the David Geffen Medical School at UCLA, Room 12-105 (first floor auditorium, close to the Biomed library) co-sponsored by the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. For more details, contact Stephanie Schneider at the American University of Complementary Medicine: (310) 550 – 7445 x 200 or email:rasayanaaucm@gmail.com.
Read Alakandanda Ma’s disucssion of Ayurveda and influenza pandemics on our website at: layogamagazine.com
By Dr. U.K. Krishna
