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Vedic Arogya Mandir (Vedic Wellness Temple)
Vedic Arogya Mandir is a temple for spiritual and temporal wellness based on the allied Vedic sciences of yoga and ayurveda (sciences of self-realization and self-healing), first set forth in the Vedas, a large body of texts originating in ancient India.
The mandir was established in April 2008 on fifty-five acres of organic farmland along the Beaver River at Beaverton, Ontario, an early Canadian
settlement dating back to the 1820's. Our ethos is deeply rooted in a spiritual life that embraces all, regardless of gender, nationality, caste, colour or creed?a vision based on the fundamental Vedic principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam 'The World Is One Family'.
In this serene country setting near Lake Simcoe, 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, lie
immaculate grounds with large shady trees, beautiful flowers
and plants?surroundings ideal for yoga, ayurveda, meditation, relaxation
and nature cure therapies. Vedic Arogya Mandir is registered as a Not-For-Profit Charitable Organization with the Canada Revenue Agency (BN # 82998 1356 RR0001).
Daily activities at the mandir will feature classes in yoga and ayurveda theory, as well as:
I. Practical yoga
sessions morning and evening [power yoga deep breathing, asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation
and purification methods for body, mind and spirit].
II. Weekend workshops to restore vitality, 7-14 day cleansing & rejuvenating retreats and longer stays (4-6 weeks) for chronic and refractory disease conditions.
III. Panchakarma and Rasayana therapy. Panchakarma is a five-step cleansing regimen that facilitates better bioavailability of pharmacological therapies, helps bring bodily humors into alignment, eliminates disease-causing toxins from the body, and checks the recurrence and progression of disease. Rasayana (rejuvenative) therapy is a specialized branch of clinical ayurvedic medicine for preventing
the effects of ageing and to improve intelligence, cognitive ability, memory, and motor and sensory functions. Numerous single and compound rasayana drugs possessing diversified actions like immuno-enhancement, free-radical scavenging, adaptogenic and nutritive effects have been described for use in health promotion and management of disease.
IV. Agnihotra. Vedic yaj?ritual, sacrifice', a sacred tradition initiated by rishis of ancient India. Consists of making offerings of ghee and other oblations into a yaj?nda 'place which contains the sacred fire, altar' at sunrise and sunset, while chanting Sanskrit mantras for health and prosperity. A non-sectarian ritual for the healing and purification of individuals and the atmosphere. Combines yoga, meditation, devotion, surrender and remembering the name of the Lord.
Agnihotra produces a cumulative effect of various scientific and sonic principles harnessed to give rise to an unparalleled purifying and healing phenomenon. Benefits to sacrificers, both spiritual and mundane, are said to be significant.
V. Organic vegetarian food and ayurvedic cooking techniques for dosha management and better nutrition.
VI. A dispensary stocking
ayurvedic herbal medicines, massage oils, shatkarma
equipment (neti pot, sutra neti, etc.), havan samagri, etc. A library of reference books and research
material.
Ayurveda (आयुर्वॆद from the Sanskrit āyus 'life' and veda 'knowledge, science') is an influential system of medicine of great antiquity. The earliest references to ayurveda appear in the ancient compendia of Indian wisdom called the Vedas. The Rigveda, and the Atharvaveda in particular, are replete with
information on health and maladies and their management using natural modes and modalities of treatment. The knowledge was expanded further in classical texts like Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita
and Ashtang Sangrah, which laid down a fundamental systemization of ayurvedic concepts. The health of an individual is a dynamic integration of body, mind, spirit and environment, and ayurveda lays great emphasis on preservation and promotion of health and preventing the occurence of disease.
It advocates employing an holistic approach to understanding all aspects of life in the universe that surrounds us.
Ayurveda attributes primary importance to preventative medicine and the maintenance of positive health. Major approaches include an individualized daily regimen (dinacharya),
specific seasonal regimen (ritucharya), and behavioural and ethical considerations (sadvritta). Healthy lifestyle is the determinating factor of longevity of life, which also depends on the prakriti (body-mind constitution) of an individual.
Proper understanding of an individual's prakriti allows the physician to make the correct diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of treatment to guide patients, as well as healthy persons, toward a routine for restoration and maintenance of health.
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