Ayurveda for People with Disabilities
December 3rd was celebrated Internationally as the Day for Person’s with Disabilities
People with Disabilities use the inherent ability more than normal individuals and that’s the leap forward towards being achievers.
People should learn from the stories of individuals and should continue to fight all odds like Arunima Sinha who pushed herself so high to climb Mount Everest though she had lost her leg due to a numbing incident where she was pushed out of a moving train. Sheer determination and persistence can help a person scale heights.
People not only have physical disabilities but also Developmental or Emotional disabilities
In this path many people have also experienced the power of Mind body medicine while many are ignorant. Its important to explore as one of the most important factor to heal oneself is to be mindful and maintain a fair mind body balance for better health.
How Does Ayurveda Help?
Balancing Doshas: Ayurveda identifies three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha. By identifying and balancing one’s predominant dosha, Ayurveda can aim to promote overall health and alleviate imbalances that may contribute to reducing the day to day problems like physical fatigue to emotional challenges
Dietary Guidelines: The importance of an individualized diet is based on one’s dosha (body constitution). A balanced and nourishing diet can support overall health, enhance digestion, and provide the body with the necessary nutrients. This is particularly relevant for individuals with disabilities who may have specific dietary needs.
Nourishing therapies: External Ayurveda therapies like Navarakizhi or Elakizhi followed Therapeutic Yoga can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, promote tissue regeneration, enhance circulation and reduce fatigue. People with physical disabilities can be greatly benefitted by a combination of the above mentioned interventions
Therapies such as Shirodhara, Shiropichu can be very useful in managing emotional challenges such as anger, frustration and anxiety.
Its therefore important to note that Ayurveda can offer comprehensive treatment and enhance quality of life in people with disabilities
Dr. Vasudha M Sharma
BAMS, MSc & PhD Yoga
