Ayurveda for Woman: A Comprehensive Guide to Vitality and Health

by Robert E. Svoboda

Ayurveda is an ancient and universal system of health and healing that can be used beneficially in any culture, in any era, by anyone. The book outlines the basic principles of Ayurveda, making readers understand their own physiological and psychological make-up and the qualities in their own environment which promote a state of good or ill health. Focusing on the modern woman's need to heal and empower her body, mind and spirit in a fast moving world, this book explains the principles of a system of complementary medicine that is rapidly gaining in popuarity, and offers advice to women of all ages on applying those principles in everyday life. It aims to help women fulfill their potential through living healthy and happy lives, and deliver an image that Ayurveda was created to mirror the drama, the trees and the forest, in short everything that is suitable or unsuitable for promoting health and happiness in an individual human life.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published February 10, 1999

About the author

During and after my formal Ayurvedic training I was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotisha, Tantra and allied subjects by my mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He also owned thoroughbred race horses, and I served as his Authorized Racing Agent at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Bombay and Poona between 1975 and 1985.

Reviews

[Raji Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good one for Ayurveda beginners, a practical guide on creating and sustaining a balanced, healthy daily life by following Ayurvedic principles of vata, pitta and kapha balance in routine food and lifestyle. Explains different landmark stages of the female life and the Dosha pertaining to each - childhood (Kapha age), womanhood (Pitta age) and wise womanhood (Vata age) and provides practical advice on excercise, sleep, diet, beauty care, meditation, sex and relationship, childcare, menopause and other stages central to female life.
It is a good guide for parents with daughters to understand the constitution of your child and help her to be sensitive to the changes in her physical constitution and adapt food and lifestyle changes at appropriate times. The book also provides ayurvdedic guide to pre and post natal care, remedies for (metal)detoxification through food and improving mental health in advanced age.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Remind me not to read any more books by men about what women are like and not like and what we should do and not do.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good guide to Ayurveda and women's health in general. The narrative was a bit disjointed and could have been organized better. It was hard to find specific information without reading an entire section.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on Ayurveda for beginners but dislike it was written by a man, not to negate his credentials as a doctor but I would recommend looking elswhere for Ayurveda specifically for women's bodies-written by a woman ayurvedic practitioner or doctor. Women know womens bodies better than any man is able.
However it is a simple and digestable book for those delving into the world of Ayurveda.

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It opened my interest for Ayurvedic medicine but the book itself it’s not too inspiring nor does it have, in my opinion, too many examples. It’s just a start and I hope to find more books on the subject. Hopefully from another author.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm never a fan of women's health books being written by men, but someone gifted me this book, and Svoboda is the first Westerner to study ayurveda in India. Some pratical info; I like that he doesn't make the assumptions that you need to do this or you won't succeed...practical for today's world.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish this book. It just feels icky how the male author writes about women.

[Dr Hemal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book should be kept throughout the life with you for best guidence for health problems. Basic fundamental things are Very well written.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

La ayuverda es una medicina tradicional india que trata de reconciliar y equilibrar nuestro cuerpo – mente - espíritu a todos los niveles para preservar nuestra salud y sobrellevar mejor nuestra existencia. Centra su atención en el flujo vital de nuestro ser, así como en el sistema de canales que la naturaleza ha creado para encauzar lo que ingerimos y expulsamos.

Ayuverda para mujeres es una tratado BÁSICAMENTE ACERCA DE LAS ETAPAS DE LA FÉMINA Y LOS CONSEJOS A SEGUIR DURANTE LO MAS DESTACABLE EN SUS VIDAS O LO QUE VIENE A SER INHERENTE EN SU VIDA: la menstruación, maternidad y menopausia.
Así mismo, nos encontraremos CON UN LIBRO DE MEDICINA HERBOLARIA Y COSTUMBRES, QUE SI BIEN PUEDEN SER SALUDABLES Y SABIAS, RESULTAN UTÓPICAS PARA LA MUJER ACTUAL.


Lo más destacable de éste libro ( que no todo el contenido del tratado):
- Introducción de los principios básicos de la ayuverda y pequeño resumen de sus orígenes así cómo influencia en la medicina moderna
- Explicación de los tres ‘doshas’( Vata, Pitta, Kafa) o grupos energéticos predominantes en la persona ( con un test constitucional para evaluar nuestra compensación entre los tres doshas y el que nos predomina), así como el significado y características de cada uno, su vínculo con los elementos, estaciones del año y tramos horarios.
- Tres periodos de la vida de la mujer:
Kafa ( infancia y juventud): consejos acerca de los niños y su alimentación y rutina de vida según su dosha
Pitta ( madurez): significado de nuestro Dosha predominante y sus disfunciones en la menorrea, remedios para sobrellevar el periodo ( tipo de comida, las sanas propiedades de ser vegetariano- dicho por el autor del libro, yo no lo afirmo-, cómo reducir el ‘ama’ o toxinas en nuestro organismo, consejos acerca de frutas, cereales, flores y especias que nos puedan ayudar, los tres grandes bloques a conciliar en nuestra vida: sueño, comida, sexo y relaciones ( útil apartado en el que se menciona ciertos ‘antídotos’ naturales para contrarrestar el exceso de sustancias específicas que predominan en nuestro organismo)
Vatta ( a partir de la menopausia): consejos básicamente espirituales para la preparación de la menopausia y pautas para remediar alguno de sus posibles trastornos. Lo complementa, la preparación mental para la muerta, a modo de epitafio conciliador y algo oratorio (¡)
- apéndice I: alimentación correcta por categorías dependiendo de tu dosha
- apéndice II: hierbas medicinales y relación con la mujer
- Glosario de términos ( no es necesario consultarlo una vez te has metido en el libro, sus términos indios a lo largo de la obra están bién introducidos y no son difíciles de recodar su significado)

La obra en sí está bastante bien y RESULTA CURIOSA E INTERESANTE EN CIERTOS TRAMOS y EN OTROS PECA DE SOFISTA. EN GENERAL, NO ES UN LIBRO EQUILIBRADO, TIENE SUS MÁS Y SUS MENOS, Y TRATA TEMAS REALMENTE DELICADOS DE UNA MANERA QUE PUEDE RESULTAR FRÍVOLA, y OTROS SON DEMASIADO UTÓPICOS.
Si bien, NO ES UN MAL LIBRO Y ES ÚTIL EN CIERTOS APARTADOS. Pero por lo anteriormente expuesto, de ahí que le de un 2.5.
Recomendado PARA LOS AMANTES DE LAS COSAS NATURALES Y LOS REMEDIOS, PARA LAS MUJERES QUE QUIERAN PROBAR A SOBRELLEVAR MEJOR EL PERIODO CON REMEDIOS CASEROS Y AL ALCANCE DE LA MANO.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually rate this book 2-1/2 stars. It gives a rough overview of the science of Ayurveda - but I think that if you hope to practice this in your life, you will want much greater study. The concepts presented here only scratch the surface of each topic covered. I would have gone with 3 stars, but the editing is poor. In a few different places things are referenced as being on another page of the book - but they aren't there, at all. There were a few other missed words and typos as well.

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful comprehensive book covering the ayurvedic principles and especially with the focus on women.

[Chanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. A good read, and Svoboda is clearly a wealth of information. Ultimately though, I'd prefer to read a book written about women's vitality, health & creativity by a woman.

[Afrin Sopariwala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful guide for harmonized living.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really easy to understand compared to other books on Ayurveda. Fascinating!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read with lots of information. A great over view of Ayurveda for women in every step of life.