Our Ayurvedic wellness curriculum (gurukulam) is known by the Sanskrit name Hansamanas. This curriculum is placed third among the seven levels of the Teachings tab. Once the concepts and ideas of spiritual philosophy mature to crystallize into a clarity of purpose cushioned by a divine vision of life, personal discipline to attain the goal is taught by implementing of wellness routines. The curriculum disseminates the core teachings on wellness through dedicated workshops and as part of retreats. The focus of these forums is to inform and train participants about principles of healthy and sustainable living based on Ayurveda and Atharvaveda scriptural guidelines.
Wellness & lifestyle principles for meditators
Hands-on lessons about the principles of Ayurvedic wellness develop the following: how to understand the lifeforce energy (prāna) and its relationship with biorhythms; how to attune to the prānic calendar; how to enhance vitality; an organic soli-lunar diet harmonized to personal mind-body constitution; the role of co-evolution and natural living in mending the mind and body; wholesome meal planning; yogic stretching synchronized with breathing; a lifestyle based on a holistic model of wellbeing. Participants walk away with a new understanding of their journey and how to live in harmony with the environment.
The physical body evolving from a combination of the five elements, namely space, air, fire, water and earthy solids is in general much dependent on the quality of interaction with the environment and food. Therefore, the ability to meditate or concentrate are inherently connected with the seeker’s lifestyle through wellness and wellbeing routines. This curriculum allows a seeker to first embrace the basic spiritual principles and bring about spiritual sensitivity.
A comprehensive workbook with practical guidelines is available at our webstore and makes a good starting reference point for the Hansamanas curriculum. The book inspires seekers to lead a balanced lifestyle by restoring wellness and enhancing vitality. In this book, the content is presented nonlinearly with a spiralling logic in order to reflect the flow of life energy – integrating breathwork, drinkables and edibles within a substantive content that ends with wholesome Ayurvedic recipes.
All the relevant details for a daily discipline towards a meditative lifestyle are captured in a structure that resonates with the goal of this curriculum. Subtle concepts and practical applications of agni (positive ions or fire principle) and soma (negative ions or the principle of subtle nectar in moonlight, mist or microhydrated water) are recurrent themes, and thereby helpful hints are given in the presentation on prānic replenishment and vitality.
The workbook sections have been developed in alignment with the innate urge (ājihirṣabodha) that gives rise to breath, thirst and hunger. This division is due to nourishment in the three forms of air, drinks and edibles; as drawing breath, quenching thirst and satiating hunger are the three ways of replenishing with prāna. The aspirant is able to assimilate how the daily and seasonal cycles that are in synchrony with our breath and heartbeat define the prāna calendar in relation to the local geographical coordinates. An understanding dawns that by adopting a synchronized spiritual discipline that attunes to the inbuilt relationship of prāna with the dynamic soli-lunar calendar, we become more closely connected with the energy coordinates within our bodies and around us. The intention is to guide the seeker to enhance vitality and experience wellbeing.
