Textbook of Ayurveda, Vol. 1: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda

by Vasant Dattatray Lad

In his Ayurvedic Studies Program, Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic Physician, teaches Ayurveda as a science of moment-to-moment living. Each lecture that he gives flows from his own heart in a river of healing wisdom that is inspired by and pertinent to the students who are present at the time of the lecture. This textbook is a presentation of Dr. Lad's years of teaching in that classroom setting. It conveys the philosophical and fundamental principles of his first year Ayurvedic Studies Program at the Ayurvedic Institute in a dynamic and inspirational way. This book will give the student a detailed foundation upon which to pursue deeper knowledge, including that of the future volumes in this series.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy, Self Help

334 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2001

About the author

An Indo-American Ayurvedic Physician, Vasant Lad brought a wealth of classroom and practical experience in Ayurveda to the United States. A native of India, he served for three years as Medical Director of the Ayurveda Hospital in Pune, India. He was Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Pune University College of Ayurvedic Medicine for 15 years. He holds a Bachelor’s of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAM&S) degree from the University of Pune and a Master’s of Ayurvedic Science (MASc) degree from Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya. Vasant Lad’s academic and practical training include the study of Allopathy (Western medicine) and surgery as well as traditional Ayurveda.

Beginning in 1979, he has traveled throughout the United States sharing his knowledge of Ayurveda. In 1984 he came to Albuquerque as Director, principal instructor and founder of the Ayurvedic Institute. Vasant Lad is the author of numerous books and respected throughout the world for his knowledge of Ayurveda. Vasant Lad is the author of 11 books on Ayurveda as well as hundreds of articles and other writings. With almost 500,000 copies of his books in print in the US, his work has been translated into more than 20 languages.

Reviews

[David]

Vasant Lad's writing on ayurveda is so comprehensive and accessible to Westerners like me (he includes many charts and diagrams and the book includes a great glossary of Sanskrit terms). I really appreciate the love and detail he manages to integrate into this textbook about the fundamentals of ayurveda. He covers with a lot of depth the fundamentals like the nuances of the doshas, types of agni, the characteristics and relationships of different organs, the importance of cellular health and meditation, and the psychological relationships with physical health. I have found these topics are often quickly blasted through in other ayurvedic books in order to jump right into diagnosis or treatment ideas.

Extremely enriching!

[Swetha]

While the content is good, the layout of the book is non-economical. One-third of every page is intentionally left blank. Only in few of the pages, this space is used for figures. With a proper layout, this can be thinner, using fewer resources.

Probably with that change, an unbound version of the book is possible allowing it to be affordable.

The book comes wrapped in a plastic shrink wrap which will get trashed. This wrap is unnecessary.

All these aspects of the book have a bad impact on the environment which is against the concept of Ayurveda.

[Meg V]

Reading for an Ayurveda program. Dr. Lad is amazing. I will reference and use this book for the rest of my life. So many highlights!

[Alexander]

. Basically essential for any western student of ayurveda and even practioners who may need to go back and refresh their understanding on specifics for difficult clients

. Would not recomend it for someone who just has a passing interest in the science though as this book really brings you through the weeds

. I have gone back to the opening chapters on the different philosophies underpinning the logical framework of ayurveda and it's always a buetiful read

. Some really buetiful diagrams in this book too, some I'd even consider getting as tattoos ;)

[Janet Perez]

Dr. Vasant is an absolute genius when it comes to Ayurveda (and even Vastu). I have been to his educational facility and i met him once in UCSF (University of San Francisco) the hospital and he gave a talk there. He knows so much about Pulse Readings and he is an amazing illustrator. He draws all his photos in his books!!! Amazing man.

[Kunzang Dolma]

I have taken Ayurvedic Cooking with Dr. Lad; and I will take many more classes with him ~ he's FABULOUS!!!

[Nicolaas Dekker]

A must read for anyone interested in Ayurveda

[Sunil Kanojia]

Should have Ancient Scripture References of Ayurveda

[Tal]

Very informative, complex, but easy to digest. Something I'll come back to again and again in my Ayurveda Practice.

[Panda1602]

This is my go to resource book for Ayurveda. One of two volumes, it is an amazing book with clear concise charts, information and knowledge that has been written and carefully put together by Dr Vasant Lad clearly with the westerner in mind.

[Josh]

A good reference to have.