Product Description
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian "science of longevity," is a holistic healing system that restores internal balance, health, and a sense of well-being through consistent attention to natural lifestyle, good eating habits, and the healing power of herbs. The author explains how sunlight, heat, air, and water, together with animal, vegetable, and mineral substances are applied in therapy to stimulate the body's natural immunity and healing capacity. One of the oldest systems of medicine in the world, Ayurveda emphasizes health education and the vital relationship between humankind and medicinal plants. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

as detailed as length allows
This is a solidly good book on Ayurveda.The author describes in a very readable manner all the essential points of Ayurveda including the constitutional types, five tastes, tissues, channels, etc.

A lot of these subjects are not addressed by more mainstream authors, perhaps because they think their audience will be bored.However, I think they are essential to a strong understanding of Ayurveda, and I think any serious student will appreciate them.

Furthermore, the author's style does not cram in too many unnecessary details, so the explanation of each subject is easy to glide through without heavy wading.

All of this is a pretty amazing accomplishment for such a little book -- this is a slim one.For those who have studied very little Ayurveda, this is an excellent starting point.

Perhaps the only interesting addition would be more personal information and case histories -- but this is hardly a surprising lack, since Ms. Heyn is more an herbologist than a doctor.

I think this book will please anyone who wants to learn about Ayurveda, beginner or advanced. ... Read more

Product Description
For over 4,000 years, the people of India have looked to Ayurveda as a pathway to vibrant health and increased longevity. This ancient healing science is treasured as a gift from the Vedas, the world's oldest sacred texts. Ayurveda offers all people a practical way to achieve self-realization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great authentic information!!
I have this one CD actually but it's the same. It's such a great and informative set of lectures to have. Great for serious students who are studying to practice Ayurveda and also just people who wish to improve the lives of themselves and family with Ayurveda. ... Read more

Product Description
Though massage is described as a preparatory measure to be administered prior to Panchakarma or the "five specialized therapies" of classical Ayurveda, its utility as an independent and distinct therapuetic measure is well recognized due to its rejuvenating effect on the body and the mind. If an individual desires good health, massage should be incorporated into their everyday routine. In addition, it is invaluable in curing several obstinate and otherwise incurable diseases. ... Read more

Product Description
In Simply Ayurveda, Bharti Vyas, leading beauty expert, celebrity advisor, and recognized authority on Ayurveda, explains how to appy the principles of Ayurveda. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Opened My Eyes to the World of Ayurveda!
Simply Ayurveda was a very informative book which lays out the basics of the practice of Ayurveda. Bharti Vyas explains everything in detail, but also in a way that allows you to really understand and absorb all of the information. I enjoyed this book because it gives you simple suggestions that one can do everyday to improve his or her life. There are even a few recipes that one can try out to assure there is balance within the body.

I would definitely suggest this book to someone who is interested in or is just beginning to learn about Ayurveda. It's a good foundation for an incredible practice!

beginners Ayurveda
I was interested in ayurveda because I had been feeling ill and conventional medicine had not worked. This book is designed for people who have just aquired an interest in Ayurveda and is perfect for that purpose. After you've found out which type you are; Fire, air or earth it goes on to explain in a basic easy to understand way; your Beauty, Dietry, Yoga and health requirements and also has a A-Z firstaid guide with natural relief to problems from dizziness to insomnia to menstrual cramps. Very useful ... Read more

Product Description
PrefaceIntroductionHypothesis and MethodHealth and Health Education in IndiaPrevention in AyurvedaFundamentals of AyurvedaInterdisciplinary ApproachesWordly and Non-Worldly OutlooksCongruence between Content and FormThe Model of BalanceAn AssessmentModern Health Education, Prevention, AyurvedaModern Health EducationhLevels of Prevention and Strategies of Intervention Ayurveda Health Education and People's EducationAyurveda Health EducationCommunity Health Education Ayurveda Health Education and Community HealthAyurveda Health Education and Peoples EducationConclusionary NoteNotesBibliographyIndex ... Read more

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Clear step-by step photography shows you how to carry out beauty-enchancing self-massage, yoga and meditation techniques. ... Read more

Product Description
This remarkable book is a stunning contribution to our understanding of natural approaches to disease treatment and prevention. The reader will learn how to tailor therapies to his or her own specific constitution. Written by a professor of Ayurvedic medicine in a very accessible style with no wasted words, this volume has become a much valued and sought after gem. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Ayurveda: The Ancient Indian Art by Scott Gerson
With Ayurveda: the Ancient Indian Art, Scott Gerson clearly and meticulously interprets the beautiful practice of Ayurveda, making it accessible to the 21st Century American. Dr. Gerson takes you through its history and basic tenents in language that any one could understand without ever "talking down" to his readers, and best of all, he doesn't skimp on details. I especially find the guidelings for lifestyle very useful.
This book is a must for all who are curious about Ayurveda or for those who are truly serious about learning this ancient art and science.

Extremely useful text on Ayurveda
If I could have only one book on Ayurveda this would be it. Ayurveda: The Ancient Indian Healing Art is comprehensive, clearly written, and well-organized; you simply absorb an understanding from it. Dr. Gerson is the only western medical doctor to have genuinely earned advanced degrees in Ayurveda from Indian universities and this gives a real value to his books. Unlike most other books on Ayurveda which are mere paraphrases of each other, Dr. Gerson is obviously conversant with the original Sanskrit texts and--more importantly--has been in clinical practice for many years. I would say this is a book for all levels of Ayurvedic students, from the beginner interested in creating more personal balance to the experienced vaidya seeking a lucid exposition of this venerable healing tradition. I particularly like the sections on the treatment of disease. I continually derive more information fromthis gem of a book than from all the other Ayurveda books on my shelf.

not bad
Not bad.Not that great, either.

What I liked about the book was the detail.A lot of books don't really address srotas (channels), dhatus (tissues), and the dosha's aspects, seats, and signs of imbalance in the same detail which this book has.

I also like the solid factual basis of the book.The truth is that a lot of Ayurveda books dwell on really abstract "absolute consciousness" philosophy and then lay out treatments the authors invented themselves.So for an honest and down-to-earth discussion of Ayurveda, this book also deserves recognition.

The down side is that this book is dry.Unless you're really, really interested, you may struggle.The doctor does not have a very imaginative style. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Now I understand
The book in my hand, has brought the knowledge to understand myself in a way I never thought possible, a book I will refer back to again and agian, a must for the experienced and the beginer!

Luke Rodd

short and sweet
This is a very slender book, but it has some of the best descriptions of the doshas, or humors, I have ever read.

The constitutional type test is the best I have seen.Yes, even better than Chopra's (though his is very good).

The book painstakingly describes each physical and temperamental trait and how it may mainfest in the individual according to his doshic make-up.Outstanding.

The other information is not very lengthy, but I think this book is incredibly valuable for what it does contain: treatment of the doshas in incomparable detail. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A very complete, high-quality introduction to a subject of immense breadth and depth
Frank J. Ninivaggi's "Elementary Textbook of Ayurveda" is a superbly written, well-rounded introduction to ayurvedic medicine for those unfamiliar with this fascinating and complex subject.It is of sufficient breadth to satisfy those members of the lay public desiring a grounding in ayurveda's history, theory and practice and in the many subdisciplines comprising the field (physiology, pathology, psychiatry, materia medica, nutrition, etc.) and of sufficent depth to serve as an introductory text for aspiring practitioners. It is particularly appropriate for Western health practitioners who strive to gain an understanding of a medical science radically divergent in so many respects from their own, as well as for persons considering a professional training in ayurvedic medicine.

"An Elementary Textbook of Ayurveda" is far more comprehensive than any of the other volumes popularly available, and I recommend it for my beginning practitioner students at the New Jersey Institute of Ayurveda in conjunction with Dr. Robert Svoboda's "Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution" and Dr. Vasant Lad's "Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles."

The book's chapters deal respectively with ayurveda's origins and development and the classical scriptures comprising its literary corpus; theoretical and philosophic foundations; anatomy, physiology and the concept of 'prakruti' and 'vikruti;' health and the disease process focusing on ayurveda's theory of pathogenesis; nutrition and diet; swasthavritta, and therapeutics and materia medica.It incorporates an indispensible glossary of unfamiliar Sanskrit medical terms, and an exhaustive bibliography.One very small criticism: the volume suffers from the lack of an index, which I think - in a work of this type - is key to its usefulness.

If there is any 'first book' on ayurveda that I would heartily encourage anyone to read this is one of two(along with Dr. Robert Svoboda's "Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution"). Dr. Ninivaggi has done a great service to the elaboration and development of ayurvedic medicine outside the country and culture of its birth.

Ayurveda for optimal and efficient living.
This book by the Yale University School Of Medicine medical doctor and psychiatrist, Dr. Ninivaggi, is excellent. I use it with Dr. Atkin's book, Philli's book and the Balch's books on nutrition. It is a history book about India, the roots of all medicine in the world today, and a guide to diet, foods, nutrition, and exercise. I found the parts on psychology, psychiartry, and therapy tp be very useful. If you want to lose weight, goon an anti-aging program, use growth hormone, or just sharpen your skills--- mentally, physically, and in raising the quality of your life---buy this book. Along with Vasant Lad, William Frawley, and Robert Svoboda, Dr. Ninivaggi is an expert on Ayurveda. I highly recommend this 5 star book!

I'm so please someone finally wrote this book!
Finally, a book on Ayurveda that's firmly and delightfully grounded in history, theory, and practice. Dr. Ninivaggi's book is a fascinating and satisfying read and one of the few books on Ayurveda I've found that has really helped me to study the subject in depth. This is the book for all who want more than a sprinkling of fun facts and a few home remedies. I'd recommend this especially to those who have a background in science and Western medicine, but no-one who tries it will be disappointed.

Well written, concise, wonderful!
Ayurveda is a difficult subject at best. It has not recieved nearly as much attention as other Complementary Medical systems like TCM. So when a book comes along that is concise, thought-provoking, and well...exciting, on the subject it is certainly worth noting. An Elementary Textbook of Ayurveda is such a book! This is THE book on Ayurveda that I will recommend to all interested in this incredably healing Modality, and Dr. Ninivaggi deserves a lot of credit for putting out a work that is so easy to read, and yet has such a depth of information and insight.I have found myself consulting it again, and again. And each time I find in its pages some new way of thinking about Ayurveda. If you are a lay person with an interest in Ayurveda for yourself or your family, I recommend An Elementary Textbook of Ayurveda. It is easy to read, and yet thorough and informative. If you are a Practioner, either as a MD interested in Ayurveda, or a Practioner of a Complementary Modality interested in incorporating Ayurveda into your practice, I still highly recommend this book, because Dr. Ninivaggi will give you new insights into Ayurveda that it would be hard to find anywhere else. Keep this book in your office or practice space, share it with with your patients or clients. An Elementary Textbook of Ayurveda is that good! ... Read more

Product Description
No greater confusion exists than the relationship between Yoga and Ayurveda. Lost in the millennia, the essence of this knowledge is now in a state of revival. The fragmentation that has so divided the world into factions and religions and political parties is clearly represented in the common view of the relationship of Yoga and Ayurveda. The time has come for the fragmented approach to life to fall by the wayside and make room for the integrated wholeness that is the essence of life itself. The understanding of this ancient wisdom has been so lost that Yoga and Ayurveda are viewed as separate disciplines, each with its own tradition and philosophy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

This book draws on the ancient sages Patanjali and Charaka to demonstrate the unity of Yoga and Ayurveda. It gives essential keys to understanding the inner workings of health and how Yogic healing occurs. In addition, it gives a detailed understanding of the doshas, and subdoshas, and their connection with the chakras. This book is a must for any student of Ayurveda or Yoga. ... Read more

Product Description
Developed in India more than 6,000 years ago, the practice of Ayurvedic healing is a holistic system that gently brings the entire being--mental, physical, and spiritual--into harmony. From a delicious tonic for sore throats to breathing exercises to combat back pain, "Ayurveda" contains a complete ayurvedic approach to over 60 common health and beauty problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Curious about Ayurveda
Being in the Spa/Beauty industry Ayurveda is a word being used more frequently.I was unable to answer ques. about it when people would call the Spa I worked in and it was quite embarrassing.I bought this book, and it has helped me gain the knowledge to answer the ques. intelligently and sparked an interest to futher my education.It is a very interesting and educational read that I recommend to anyone who is new to Ayurveda.

Practical and inspiring
Nancy Bruning and Helen Thomas have done an excellent job of presenting Ayurveda.This book is easy to use and understand.They offer the concepts of Ayurveda in a simple and enlightening fashion.I especially like the daily lifestyle schedules, and the A-Z guide of various ailments. This book is a great start for everyone interested in Ayurveda and betterhealth. ... Read more

Product Description
Sanskrit text with English translation on ayurvedic system of Indic medicine. ... Read more