There is a magical quality in the ambiance that envelops AVP Pathanjalipuri. Ancient lore pins this geographical area to one of the places where Sage Pathanjali meditated upon. The yogic reverberations evoke a deep meditative quality to everything that is pursued here. In the first two decades of its history, AVP Pathanjalipuri devoted itself to the dissemination of the pure tradition of Ayurveda. From its academic portals, have emerged more than 100 Ayurveda practitioners, who have devoted a great many years to learning the science of this ancient medicine through the Gurukula system. Today, this seat of learning has trained and moulded two generations of doctors, paramedical professionals and seekers of this wisdom, and they in turn, have dedicated themselves to the spirit of service.
AVP Pathanjalipuri is located in sun-kissed Mangarai, a rural hinterland in the lap of the Western Ghats. The rural and tribal communities around this region have benefitted from the comprehensive services of the institution. They come here to seek physical, emotional and spiritual wellness.
The academic rigour at AVP Pathanjalipuri has led to the creation of diverse academic programmes for both Indian and international seekers. At the turn of the millennium, AVP Pathanjalipuri expanded into a clinical facility as well. Today, this is an integrated wellness centre with a 76-bed hospital dedicated to learning, medical consultancy and an in-patient treatment facility.
AVP Pathanjalipuri is headed by a team of experienced physicians and an able team of medical professionals who stay true to the principles and practices of traditional Ayurveda. All activities are steered by the active involvement of the management. The processes and ethos were set and guided by Shri P.R. Krishnakumar. The path forward for the AVP group is a tribute to his unique vision for Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is among the oldest recorded medical traditions in the world. Since time immemorial, the science of Ayurveda has been trusted by those seeking to understand the innumerable complexities surrounding human anatomy and physiology. The science and art of Ayurveda has been carefully documented and handed down from one generation to the next, through oral tradition and systematically codified medical literature. An important reason why it has survived the ravages of time is because of its robust scientific framework and its approach to holistic healing, prevention, preservation, care and cure of the human system.
Ayurveda principles are a highly personalised method of helping the body stay in harmony with the multiple elements within.
Prevention of disease and ailment and the preservation of sound health are important aspects of Ayurveda practice. Using a prescribed routine of practices and periodical overhauls with the assistance of well-trained physicians and therapists, individuals can lead significantly productive lives without the interference of preventable diseases and ailments.
Cure in Ayurveda is highly personalised and does not follow a one-size-fits-all prescription. The treatment dwells on three principal विकृति, vikrriti, imbalances in the body and their effect on the प्रकृति prakriti, the individual body constitution. The personalisation of the treatment also rests on the defining parameters of the illness: the stage of disease / disorder, age, climatic region the individual lives in and other significant factors that cause these disabilities. That is why treatment requires constant monitoring by the Ayurvedic practitioner, therapist and individual. This comprehensive approach to care and cure has been scientifically proven by numerous research findings in allied fields of medicine as well.
Ayurveda can be broadly divided into eight divisions and each of these work in harmony with each other. Rather than focus on silo-driven specialisations, each of these aspects help in the better understanding of the others. The branches are Kāyacikitsā, General Medicine, Kaumāra-bhṛtya, Paediatrics, Śalyatantra Surgery, Śālākyatantra ENT, Bhūtavidyā Psychiatry, Agadatantra, Toxicology, Rasāyanatantra , rejuvenation of body and Vājīkaraṇatantra, aphrodisiacs.
Ayurveda also factors in the dominance and interplay of the five principal natural elements that govern our anatomy and physiology. These are: Akasha | Vayu | Agni | Jala | Prithvi
Ayurveda says Sarvamdravyam hi panchabhauticam, All matter is the five elements. Each of the primary elements has specific characteristics and the varied presence of each determines the property of the particular matter and substance. The Pancha Mahabhuta form the foundational principles of arriving at the diagnosis and in the chalking out the line of treatment of body and mind with Ayurveda protocol. These five elements integrate to form the pillars of body, the Tridosha.
Vata energy connotes air and space and impacts breathing and blood circulation in the body. Creative people, thinkers and other similar persona usually have a predominant presence of Vata in their bodies. Vata dosha implies an imbalance in this energy and the consequent ailments range from joint pain, constipation, dry skin and other ailments.
Pitta energy is linked to fire and is believed to control the digestive and endocrine systems. A dominance of this energy is usually evident in people with fiery temperaments, high intelligence and action-oriented tendencies. When pitta energy is out of balance, it can result in ulcers, inflammation, digestive problems, anger, heartburn and arthritis.
Kapha energy is linked to earth and water elements and governs critical factors such as growth and strength. It is usually associated with the chest, torso and back. People with Kapha energy are considered strong and solid in constitution, and generally calm in nature. When this energy goes out of balance, ailments such as obesity, diabetes, sinusitis, and gallbladder disorders can occur. Psychological components also include factors such as insecurity.
Prakriti is what makes every individual creation unique. Prakriti is created when sperm and ovum fuse during the process of procreation. Prakriti becomes the identity of the individual and determines various aspects of individual functioning from the time of birth until death of the individual.
Ayurveda methods are applied on the basis of prakriti, the individual body constitution and are therefore, highly personalised. Tridosha, the three doshic properties that define individuals at the anatomical, physiological and psychological level further the extent of personalisation in the approach of care and cure. The understanding is further enhanced by the presence of the Panchamabhutha, the five natural elemental states that exist within the human anatomy and physiology. These different nuances of what helps codify Ayurveda medical practices are elaborated below.
Dhathu are the seven fundamental principles that support the basic structure and functioning of the body. Dhatu has a vital role in the everyday nourishment, development and sustenance of the body structure and is further divided on the basis of the predominant functions of the body.
Rasa dhathu is the essence of food after digestion. it also connotes the various body fluids responsible for nourishment in the body.
Rakta dhatu is formed from the nutritive part of Rasa dhathu and connotes the blood components.
Mamsa dhathu maintains the core anatomical structure and helps in locomotory functions. It is formed from the nutritive part of Raktha dhathu, and is the musculature of the body.
Meda dhathu originates from mamsa dhathu. It provides lubrication, strength and nourishment to ligaments bones and joints and facilitates mobility.
Asthi dhathu, is the essence of meda dhathu and provides firmness, hardness, and support to the body. The asthi dhatu defines the bones and cartilage systems in the body.
Majja dhathu are the spaces within the human body that are filled with the nourishing medha dhatu and is derived from the essence of asthi dhatu.
Sukra dhathu is the combined essence of all the dhathu, and plays a pivotal role in cellular regeneration and reproduction.
Rogaahasarveabhimandagnou, Agni is the biological fire in the body. Ayurveda says all disease stems from impaired presence of Agni. There are three kinds of Agni that govern the normal functioning of the body and they play a pivotal role in the metabolism, nourishment and transformation. The Vedas prescribe correction of Agni as the primary step in the treatment process. The correction of an impaired Agni brings back balance in the metabolism of the human body.
Sama mala kriya , proper elimination of waste materials is a sign of swastha avastha , health. Mala connotes the waste products of metabolic and physiological actions that routinely take place in the body. Ayurveda states that the proper formation and elimination of waste is an indication of a healthy body.
Purisha is the by-product of metabolic actions that occurs in the gastrointestinal system. Avastambha, maintenance of body, is the chief function of purisha.
Mutra is the liquid waste product of human body metabolism and generates as urine. MutrasyaKledavahanam, elimination of excess moisture in the body is critical to proper functioning of the body.
Sweda, perspiration, is critical to thermo-regulation of the body. Sweda-kledavidrathi, retention of moisture in the body is the chief function of sweda whereby excess water and toxins are eliminated from the body through the skin.
Ayurveda texts define swastha, health, or a healthy person who has
Samadosha, balanced tridosha
Samagni , proper biological fire
Samadhatu
Malakriya , proper elimination of waste from body
One of the reasons Ayurveda is a complete, holistic form of medicine is because diagnosis and treatment lay equal emphasis on both, physiological and psychological health.
Rogavastha, disease / ailment is a state in which the balance in physiological actions of Tridosha in the body is disturbed at the physical level and is complemented by an affliction in the Dosha at the mental level. This imbalance creates an unsettled functioning of the metabolic activities and affects the overall functioning of the whole body and mind. This state of imbalance is known as Roga or Vyadhi, diseased state.
Several factors contribute to disease: improper life style, genetic errors, social issues or any affliction that creates an imbalance in normal functioning. Ayurveda physicians have always adopted the method of treating the disease from its source and delving into its root causes. These are detailed in Chikitsa, treatment methodologies.
Ayurvedic literature is dictated by a sastra, scriptural texts, that detail all the factors that cause disease in the body. The approach to cure and alleviation focuses on restoring equilibrium in dosha, dhatu and other aspects of physical and psychological functioning. Chikitsa, treatment, is built around four pivotal pillars:
Bhishak – Physician | Dravya – Medicine | Upastatha – attendants |
Rogi –patient
These four limbs of Chikitsa are the pillars of treatment for establishing Saamya Avastha, restoration of balance in all functions of Dosha, Dhathu, Mala and all functions in the body and mind.
The in-patient department at AVP Pathanjalipuri is a carefully curated 76-bed facility. The architectural vocabulary of the centre is inspired by the traditional ancestral homes in Kerala, lending the ambience with a homely and comfortable appeal.
AVP Pathanjalipuri runs an active outpatient department consultation facility. Appointments / pre-booking / walk in options are all available. An experienced team of vaidyars and qualified paramedical staff ensure quality care and are available for any general or specialised consultation.