A science of health and medicine based on 5000 years of study, analysis and observation. Based on principles so timeless, they are as relevant today as they were centuries ago. Want to understand this amazingly holistic science? That’s easy. Like in any science, to understand Ayurveda, you will need to understand its first principles.   The word Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term meaning ''science of life.'' Ayu means ''life'' or ''daily living,'' and Veda is ''knowing". What are the first principles of Ayurveda? • Ayurveda begins with the belief that you, the human being, are a microcosm, a universe within yourself. You are a child of the cosmic forces of the external environment, the macrocosm. Your individual existence is indivisible from the total   cosmic manifestation. • Hence Ayurveda sees you as energy manifested in five basic principles: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. The five basic principles exist in all matter, just as they exist in you. • You can acquire the practical knowledge of self-healing by studying Ayurveda.You can actually reduce the processes of physical deterioration and disease.