Just as specialists such as meteorologists and auto mechanics have special tools to help them in their field, Ayurvedic experts use “nadi vigyan” (pulse assessment) to evaluate your mind/body make-up and to pin-point potential weaknesses in the physiology.

When an Ayurvedic expert takes your pulse, he or she does not count the beats per minute. Rather, the expert places three fingers on the artery of your wrist and detects patterns and rhythms that signal your body’s state of health.

“What we feel in the pulse is the direct reflection of the physiology where consciousness first sprouts into matter,” says Mark Toomey, head of the Vedic Health office at The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa and Treatment Center. “From this level our assessment has maximum value.”

With this ancient tool, experts can determine your “prakriti” (existing mind/body balance) and detect your “vikriti” (any area that is out of balance and which, if left untreated, may sprout into disease or disorder.)

Prakriti

Prakriti literally means “nature” and refers to your essential nature or body type.

“Knowing your prakriti or body type helps determine your potential strengths and weaknesses. Then we can prescribe the correct diet, routine, behavior, herbal preparations and Ayurvedic treatment program to restore or maintain a healthy balance,” says Toomey.

Vikriti

Equally important is the identification of vikriti. Vikriti refers to any accumulation of the three doshas that is not natural or appropriate for the individual. Imbalance in the doshas can be caused by a variety of reasons, including stressful activity and wrong diet or routine for one’s particular body type (prakriti).

Taking the pulse allows the Vedic expert to determine not only which dosha is imbalanced but also the exact location of that imbalance in the body. This is done by analyzing the five subdivisions, or “subdoshas”, of vata, pitta and kapha.

For instance, you may have an imbalance of apana vata, the subdivision of vata located in the colon and lower abdomen. This could cause gas, constipation, or even lower back pain. Or you might have an imbalance in tarpika kapha, the subdosha of kapha located in the sinus cavities, head and spinal fluid. This is linked to sinus conditions, hay fever, and sinus headaches.

Once these imbalances are identified, specific dietary and lifestyle changes,  herbal remedies and Ayurveda treatments can be recommended to treat the subdoshas that are out of balance.

“Detecting and treating imbalances at this early stage can help prevent illness,” says Toomey. “This makes pulse assessment a powerful tool for promoting and maintain health and vitality.”

To schedule an appointment for an Ayurveda Pulse Assessment or to learn more about the Ayurveda approach to health, contact The Raj:

1-800-864-8714 ext. 9000

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