Ayurveda is often translated as the "science (Veda) of life (Ayur)", but this translation often misses the wisdom and deep, sacred knowledge associated with the word "Veda" that takes Ayurveda above and beyond the modern day categorisation of "science".

Ayurveda helps us know ourselves better by understanding our unique and individual nature so we can live in health, harmony and balance within ourselves and with the world around us.

Ayurveda's goal is svastha – being established in oneself – with the purpose of helping you to fulfill your potential of a long, happy, healthy life (assuming a life-span of 120 years!).

Ayurveda identifies your natural "constitution" in terms of the Tridosha – the three Doshas of Vata, Pitta and Kapha – a unique blend of which makes up every individual where usually one or two dominate such as Vata/Pitta, Pitta/Kapha, Vata/Kapha etc.

The Dosha are considered conduits of balancing elemental forces connected to the 5 great elements (panchamahabhuta) of space, air, fire, water & earth which manifest within the body, mind and spirit of the gross and subtle levels of living organisms as the Doshas (a word meaning "imbalance").

These Doshas of Vata (space/air), Pitta (mostly fire/some water) and Kapha (water/earth) are seen to govern all functions of our body, mind and consciousness. So by knowing your fundamental nature and what is most likely to imbalance you, you can organise your daily lifestyle, food choices, work and practices in a way that helps you return to your natural alignment and balance.

At its core, Ayurveda takes a prevention-oriented approach to health in humans that it views as psychosomatic, mind and body related spiritual beings. Ayurveda aims to help us to catch disease at any of these levels before it becomes full blown. It does this by equipping us with a lens through which to identify early imbalances and take action.

If disease does manifest, Ayurveda's cures and treatments aim to go to the root cause rather than simply treating symptoms. Ayurveda is the OG on digestive health through its central concept known as Sama Agni (Sanskrit for "balanced fire").

To find balance in our lives it guides us towards good digestion of not only food and other inputs from our outer environment, but also helps us to create an inner environment that encourages good digestion of what we ingest at a mental and emotional level.

In our ever changing world we will all move along the timeline of our lives and meet our karmas, so wouldn't it be great to have day-to-day, season-to-season lifestyle guidance to understand and attune to your own unique constitution so you can thrive in greater harmony with the world around you?

By being a person more aligned with your true nature (a svastha) and following Ayurveda's advice on food, lifestyle, yoga practices and how to live in cosmic and seasonal rhythm you can more easily flow through your life as you truly are.