Ayurveda For Dummies

by Angela Hope-Murray

Rebalance your mind, body and spirit—the natural way!

Ayurveda is an ancient system of prevention and treatment of illness by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and spirit according to your individual body type.

Ayurveda For Dummies provides you with a comprehensive introduction to this area of complementary medicine, considering the origins and history of Ayurveda as well as practical guidance on utilizing the correct balance of nutrition and exercise, herbal remedies, yoga, and Ayurvedic massage to treat ailments and maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle.

Helps you develop a diet based on your body type Advises you on ways to optimize your health by exercising to suit your body type Gives you trusted info on stretching your body with Yoga

This hands-on, friendly guide helps you understand your body type and restore balance to your life using the principles of Ayurveda.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2012

Reviews

[Jennifer Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. I've read several books on this topic over the years, but I still learned a lot from this one. It's very informative and useful. I'd like to get my own copy. Unfortunately, there aren't recipes like many of them, and I wish it did, because this author is one of the very few that doesn't preach vegetarianism. (Originally, Ayurveda is not strictly vegetarian, but it has mostly evolved to that over time.)

[Katharine Coggeshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction into the world of ayurvedic medicine. I knew very little about the subject but wanted to learn more because I understood how ancient the medicine and practice was. This book breaks it all down into understandable pieces without overwhelming you with too much information. I feel ready to learn more now that this book has given me the basics.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive book. I have read many books on Ayurveda and still learnt new things from this book. In an easy to absorb format. Wish it were in colour instead of black and white.

[Cindy]

If you have questions concerning Ayurveda, this is an excellent book to get an idea of what Ayurveda is all about.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 'Dummies' series can be very hit and miss, but this one for Ayurveda offers an excellent introduction to the subject matter and as the title suggests, it's perfect for beginners and anyone who may be somewhat overwhelmed by what can sometimes come across as a foreign language.

Accessible throughout and with a friendly, knowledgable and chatty writing style, it breaks down the many main parts of Ayurveda including History, Daily Routine, Health, Food, Digestion, Yoga & Breathing Techniques and of course, goes into the finer details of the individual Doshas.

The only drawback is that it's a bit 'flat' in terms of presentation, and looks and feels like a black and white school textbook which may put some readers off, but if you can get past that, it's a very handy reference guide for the subject.

[Dianna Thiel]

This book is not intuitive and I would definitely not recommend it for a beginner. It uses a lot of Sanskrit and dumps a lot of info on the reader. If someone is unfamiliar with the concepts of Ayurveda, it would be confusing for sure. Additionally I found in several occasions I got my pencil out and corrected a few errors for the next reader (the book indicated that the 7th chakra is svadisthana and it is sahasrara).

There is a good recipe for kitchari in chapter 16! Also throughout a book a newbie might pick up tidbits of info they could research further.

[Paulina Raduchowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and accessible, as a basic introduction to Ayurveda for a Western reader.

[Rāsa-saranī dāsī · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book complete for all beginners. Amazing I loved!

[Vic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty dry

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much information! This is an excellent read and reference source. I highly recommend it for those new to Ayurveda, like me.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book , even though it gets confusing sometimes with the use of so many words in sanskrit , adding to it the fact that most herbs mentionned are not easy to find .
I give it a 3/5 because indeed it has some valuable informations in it , but not very practical .
I might change my mind a few years from now , so it's definitly a book to read again.

[Helen W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a brilliant introduction to Ayurveda, setting the framework into which any other information you may want to gather from your experiences and other reading can easily be dropped (you will find your appetite whet enough to dive on other books and blogs...). The chapter headings and bullet points make easy work of getting to know the basic principles and starting to work with your dosha and other characteristics when it comes to diet etc. I am fortunate enough to now call Angela my Ayureveda Practioner; which happened since reading the book...and everything I have learned about her assures me she is a skilled and experienced practioner in this field.

Update: Ayureveda holds so much wisdom as regards the "old" human ...yet for me its dogged adherence to an ancient set of principles started to feel heavy and retrograde with regard to the "new" crystal biology and so, after four or so months, I stopped its "religious" practice though I remain respectful of many of its principles. For some people, I suspect it will continue to work to the letter. Perhaps increasingly, I suspect, its teaching would benefit from lightening and mixing up with some new understanding as it emerges. I remain deeply indebted to what it taught me about doshas and how those relate to our experience of being human. I feel sure I will continue to "mix it up" with the best of other health practices that I gather along the way, going forwards.

[HadiDee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doing what Dummies books do best: very clear and simple - at times too simplistic - introduction to Ayurveda.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, concise and a nice intro to ayurveda. Another great beginner tool is Dr. John Douillard - Ayurveda for Detox, available from Netflix and for sale on Amazon.

[Kes Kanlaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction to Ayurveda. But it is too general in my opinion.