Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient type of healing, native to Kerala in southern India; it is the oldest and most holistic medical system on the planet. The name ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words: ‘āyus’ meaning "life" and ‘veda’ meaning "knowledge". Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translated is the "knowledge of life".
Ayurveda is concerned with practices that help to protect "ayus", such as; healthy eating, meditation, yoga and massage. Yoga is at least five thousand years old and is one of the six schools of Hindu thought. Originally it developed as a means of meditation in order to achieve personal liberation. In recent years it is widely practiced as a way of improving ones posture, breathing and general level of fitness. Practicing yoga is a wonderful way to start the day, it helps to focus the mind and relax the body, combining these techniques with a healthy life style and ayurvedic treatment can lead to improvements to personal health and well being.
Ayurvedic treatments and remedies involve only natural, toxin-free herbs and herbal extracts. Treatments are carried out by experienced physicians who will mix essential oils and prescribe a set number of treatments personalised to suit each individual. An Ayurvedic herbal oil massage, combined with other ayurvedic principals such as the right diet and right amount of exercise, can help to relieve stress, back pain, headaches, and arthritic pain as well as detoxify, cleanse and rejuvenate the body.
Ayurveda and yoga are becoming increasingly popular in the western world especially since magazines Elle and Vogue have supported Ayurvedic therapies as have many famous celebrities such as Madonna and Woody Harrelson. Where better to learn and practice than the home of Ayurveda and Yoga itself - India.

The Story of Ayurveda
Within the holy texts of Hinduism are the ‘Samhitas’ or medical texts. It is said that Brahma (the omniscient Hindu god) is said to have created Ayurveda before he created man so that man may be protected on earth. Brahma first taught Ayurveda to the doctors of the gods known as the ‘Aswins’, and they passed it on to Indra (Lord of the sky) and from Indra it was passed on to the different sages who in turn passed it on to their sons and disciples. Thus Ayurveda, the knowledge of life, has been passed down from generation to generation.