Ayurveda: A Way of Life

This is intro for beginners. Dr Vinod Verma provides a thorough job explaining the concept of Ayurveda. She provides useful daily tips that "revitalizes" certain parts of the body. This book includes several photo illustrations on massage techniques and yoga poses for certain purposes and ailments. The chapter on adjustments to natural forces provides insight on what certain emotions does to the body. Some aspect of Hindu is introduced which I skipped over. Additionally, I skimmed over a portion of a chapter going over remedy concotions due to the reality of me chasing down the ingredients needed for some of the recipes.

Dr. Vinod Verma teaches Ayurveda in a way that I have never seen before; simple, easy to understand and apply to daily life! She starts off by defining what the 5,000 yr. old philosophy and practice is about, then moves on to define the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha)theory, allowing the reader to determine which type they fall under, then moves on to discuss numerous techniques that bring the reader to an improved quality of life based on mind, body and spirit. What also impresses me about this author is that she doesn't sound overly "new age-ish," but reveals herself as intelligent, well-spoken and knowledgable. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a more natural approach to total health.

Ayurveda is a science dealing with vedic medicine,which illustrates how illnesses of the body and mind can be cured through a gradual change in lifestyle. In her book, Dr Vinod Verma gives a very clear picture of Ayurveda for the beginner , right from remedies for common ailments(colds,insomnia etc) to yoga postures (Which actually do make you feel better!) However she has neglected an important aspect of the ayurvedic healing system.. the tridosha system wherein you determine what kind of body type you have and then based on that figure out an ideal diet for yourself or how to cure common ailments. THe tridosha system 1. vata(air) 2.pitta(fire) 3.kapha(water) are of vital importance . Thus the good doctor loses one star for dosha neglection. I suggest buying David Frawley's Ayurvedic Healing along with this book as these two books together will give you a decent understanding of Ayurveda,as a beginner.