Paper Presentations
10.45am – 1.00pm Paper Presentation 3 1 September 2005 (Thursday)
Application of Ayurveda Approach in Recreational Design : A Case Study of Batu Caves Tourism Area, Selangor
By : Mohd Johari Mohd Yusof; Marini Masrurah Abdul Manan, Associate Prof. Dr Mustafa Kamal Mohd ShariffDepartment of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Design and ArchitectureUniversiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangore-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
AbstractThroughout history, therapeutic landscapes have been used to aid in the healing process. However, with the advances in medical technology in the 20th century, the use of landscapes as healing elements began todiminish. Fortunately, with the recent interest in traditional and complementary medicine (TCM), which emphasizes healing the wholeperson -- mind, body, and spirit -- rather than simply alleviating symptoms, the interest in therapeutic landscapes as aid in healing has been revived.
Ayurveda is a form of TCM, which has been recognized and accepted by the community. This practice has been going on for generations. Until today, Ayurveda continues to grow and has gained popularity all over the world. The reason for this is that Ayurveda deals with health and healing rather than disease and cure.
This study aimed at of looking into a new approach that has the qualities and features in establishing a new type of therapeutic recreational design in Malaysia particularly in Batu Caves, a famous tourism area that rich with Indian cultures and heritages. And I believe that Ayurveda, the oldest healing system in existence can be the one. Hopefully, this medical system with its own special features and qualities, can contribute to a discovery for new design approach in the therapeutic recreational design in Malaysia.
Keywords : Ayurveda, Therapeutic Landscape, Recreational Design
INTRODUCTION
Ayurveda is an ancient healing system originated from India that dates back to about
5000 years ago. Its aim is to guide people regarding their choice of food and
lifestyles in order to promote health rather than just treat diseases. This is one of the
reasons that make Ayurveda so unique. This traditional form of treatment treat
patient as a whole, not just the affected part. Besides, only natural therapies are
offered. Therefore, no known side effect develops from the therapies prescribed. And
of course, these therapies are inexpensive and proven effective.
Ayurveda as a healing and preventive art has three main focuses: 1) healing
illness, 2) prevention of disease and 3) longevity or age reversal. The basic principles
of Ayurveda are that all of life (people, animals, nature, the universe and diseases,
etc) is made up of five primary elements that are space, air, fire, water and earth.
When these elements are balance, one is healthy. Illness is defined as an imbalance
of these elements; all disorder is excesses of one or more elements. Ayurveda can be
applied to all ages and offers therapies for all health concern.
Besides, Ayurveda is also more than just a medical system. It is also claimed
to be a ‘Science of Life’. Ayurveda also believes that human are part and parcel of
nature. It assists nature by promoting harmony between the individual and nature by
living life of balance according to her laws. Thus, Ayurveda has lots of therapeutic
qualities and features that can be taken into account in effort of establishing a new
type of therapeutic landscape in Malaysia.
Generally, Landscape Architects in Malaysia are unfamiliar with Ayurveda.
Therefore, this paper intends to analyse the main components in Ayurveda and how
the special features and qualities in these components can be used in the design of
Malaysian therapeutic landscapes.
5.1 Issue
In Malaysia, academics, health practitioners and the general population are
increasingly recognizing the importance of placing an essential element in the
development of identity, health and overall well-being. Thus, the interest in
therapeutic landscape as healer has been revived. Feng shui, a traditional Chinese
wisdom is one example of popular approach regularly used nowadays. In search for
a new type of therapeutic landscape in order to broader the horizon, Ayurveda
seems to have the potential to become a new approach for therapeutic landscape as
it has the special features and qualities that can complement the conventional
therapeutic landscape design.
5.2 Definitions
(i) Ayurveda
Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit words ‘Ayu’ meaning life and longevity and ‘Veda’
meaning knowledge’ or science. Therefore, Ayurveda is the “Science of Life”, which
refer to a harmonious integration of the body, mind, senses and the soul.1
(ii) Landscape design
Is the conscious process of managing, planning and physically changing the
landscape. It involves the physical management of the landscape and the design of
places.2
5.3 History of Ayurveda
The earliest records of medical practice in the world began about 600 B.C., with the
Sanskrit Treatise of Sages Atreya and Susruta. But the beginning of medicine in
India, as in Greece, is found in mythology.3
According to this belief, medicine and surgery were gifts from the god Indra
to Sages Bharadwaja, the patron saint of medicine, and Dhanvantari, the patron
saint of surgery. These two scholars passed on their knowledge to two worthy men,
Atreya and Susruta. This system is called Ayurveda.4
Around 1500 BC, Ayurveda was delineated into two distinct schools. These
are Atreya, the School of Physicians, and Dhanvantari, the School of Surgeons. This
made ayurveda a more systematically classified medical science. Dhanvantari, who is
considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, was the guiding sage of Ayurveda.
He made this science of health and longevity popular and widely acceptable. Atreya,
who is believed to have imbided the ayurveda from Sage Bharadwaja, headed the
Atreya medical school. His treaties on medicine are contained in 46,500 verses.
In fact, these two schools of thought led to the writing of two major books on
Ayurveda—Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita. Around 500 AD, Vagbhatt
compiled the third major treatise on Ayurveda, which is the Astanga Hridaya. It
contained knowledge comprising the two schools of Ayurveda.
From 500 AD to 1900 AD, sixteen major Nighantus or supplementary texts on
Ayurveda like Dhanvantari Bhavaprakasha, Raja and Shaligram among others were
written incorporating new drugs, expansion in applications, discarding of old drugs
and identification of substitutes. These texts mention about 1814 varieties of plants
in vogue.
Evidences show that ayurveda had nurtured almost all the medical systems of
the world. Its gradual and steady development can be seen through Rig Veda, Yajur
Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda and other vedic literature and epics of Mahabrata
and Ramayana.
The basic principle of Ayurveda is that all of life (people, food, animals,
nature, the universe, disease and etc.) are made up of five primary elements. The
elements are space, air, fire, water, and earth. When these elements are balance,
there is health and where there is imbalance, there is disease.
5.4 Elements in Ayurveda
Ayurveda believes that everything in this universe is made up of five great elements
or building blocks. They are earth, water, fire, air, and space. 5
Figure 2.2-1: Elements in Ayurveda
5.4.1 Earth (Prithvi)
Earth represents the solid state of matter. It manifests stability, permanence, and
rigidity. In our body, the parts such as bones, teeth, cells, and tissues are
manifestations of the earth. Earth is considered a stable substance.5
5.4.2 Water (Apas)
Characterizes change and represents the liquid state. Water is necessary for the
survival of all living things. A large part of the human body is made up of water. Our
blood, lymph, and other fluids move between our cells and through our vessels,
bringing energy, and carrying away wastes, regulating temperature, bringing disease
fighters, and carrying hormonal information from one area to another. Water is a
substance without stability.5
5.4.3 Fire (Tejas)
Is the power to transform solids into liquids, to gas, and back again. In other words,
it possesses power to transform the state of any substance. Within our bodies, the
fire or energy binds the atoms together. It also converts food to fat (stored energy)
and muscle. Fire transforms food into energy. It creates the impulses of nervous
reactions, our feelings, and even our thought processes. Fire is considered a form
without substance.5 5.4.4 Air (Vaya)
Is the gaseous form of matter which is mobile and dynamic. Within the body, air
(oxygen) is the basis for all energy transfer reactions. It is a key element required for
fire to burn. Air is existence without form.5
5.4.5 Space (Akasha)
It is the field that is simultaneously the source of all matter and the space in which it
exists. Space is only the distances which separate matter. The chief characteristic of
space is sound. Here sound represents the entire spectrum of vibration.5
Every substance in our world is made up of these five substances. All
substances can be classified according to their predominant element. For example, a
mountain is predominantly made up of earth element. A mountain also contains
water, fire, air and space. But these elements are very small compared to the earth.
So, its classification is the earth.
5.5 Treatments in Ayurveda
Ayurveda treatments prescribe a different program to each individual based upon
their constitution and the nature of the imbalance within them. In Ayurveda, a
patient will be treats as whole, not just the affected part.
4.5.1 Treatments Methods
Ayurveda offers treatments for each of the five senses because different people learn
better through different senses. Treatments include:
a. Taste : Herbalogy (sirovasthi, thalapothichil, etc.),
nutrition, diet
b. Sound: Music therapy, meditation, spiritual therapies
(lifestyle, spiritual counseling)
c. Touch: Massage (abhyangam, pizichilli etc.), yoga, exercise, gem therapy,
marma
chikitsa, dhara/ oil (shirodhara, thalam)
d. Smell: Aromatherapy
e. Sight: Colour therapy
5.6 Findings
An analysis of the Ayurveda components and their elements is conducted. It was
found that there are four of the seven components in Ayurveda have the potential
value to be incorporated in landscape design. These are:
i. Principles
According to Ayurveda, there are five main elements made up everything in the
universe; earth, water, fire, air and space. All of these elements need to balance with
each other in order to create a balance lifestyle. The harmonious interactions of all
elements can be represent in the landscape design.
Well, nothing in this world exists in isolation. In order to appreciate
something light, there must be a notion of dark. Something tall must be seen in
relation with something small in order for it to have meaning. For example, the
smooth water balances rough earth surface; a waterway with living elements such as
plants and trees.
ii. Elements
In landscape design, each of the elements can represent their own idea with their
own influenced. For certain is in term of colors, shapes and directions. The example
of the ideas given by each elements and their application are as in the table below.
Table 3.0-1: Ideas and implementation of Ayurveda elements in landscape design.
ELEMENTS IDEA APPLICATION IMAGES
Fire is hot and bright. A site with too much fire is not restful.
Man-made materials represent fires are like lights and barbeque.
Photo 3.0-1: Man-made materials Represent Fire
Idea of shape.
For example, fire-shaped wigwams are often used for supporting creepers and lighting design.
Fire
Idea of colour Splashes of red in long borders may be used to lead the eye forward slowly. Can create a contrast view to attract the users attention
Photo 3.0-2: Fire as an idea of colour
Earth The idea of solidity and stability
Earth materials include teraccota, rock, stone and brick can be applied to any structures such as buildings.
Photo 3.0-3: Earth as an idea of
solidity and stability
Idea of shape
Flat-topped buildings, pergolas, fences, globe sculpture and straight-edged lawn are all examples of earth shape
Photo 3.0-4: Earth as an idea of shape
Idea of color Yellow, orange and brown are earth colours.
Idea of texture Variety of texture can be found from the earth, from fine, medium and rough texture
Photo 3.0-5: Earth as an idea of texture
Water flows and creates waves that give the idea of movement and liquidity.
Implementation of water can be represented in form of lakes, waterfall, pond and etc.
Photo 3.0-6: Implementation of
water element Idea of shape
The meandering shape of water can be applied in the planting and paths
Water
Idea of colour Water colours are dark blue, dark grey and black. Too much use of dark planting schemes or materials such as slate can feel threatening, as like deep water. It is best to temper the effect, using lighter tones here and there.
Photo 3.0-7: Water as an idea of colour
Air Air movement gives the idea of motion and as sound medium.
Example of application is using windchimes
Idea of shape. The soft and gentle shape of air can be applied in the planting and elements design
Photo 3.0-8: Air as an idea of shape
Space Idea of connectedness and fell of freedom
Can be represented with open lawn, gathering area and etc.
Photo 3.0-9: Space as an idea of
connectedness and freedom
iii. Human body – The Tridosha
According to Ayurveda, human body can be divided into three categories, vata, pitta
and kapha. Each category stands with their own characteristics differ from each
other. This concept can be a reference in landscape design in term of the space
division.
The suggestion here is we can divide spaces into three main area and we can create
their own identity by referring to the characteristics listed out for each dosha. For
example is designing a vata dosha ‘space’. For this area, selection of fragrant plants
like jasmine and rose could be emphasized on since this type of dosha has a strong
relationship with these species. In terms of activities can be done, gentle exercise,
tai chi and swimming are the one to be looked at. But, we also must remember that
in therapeutic landscape guideline, the simplicity principle is very important.
Simplicity is essential in designing in a way to keep the space easy to understand.
Therefore it is important that the space not have too much "going on" to add any
additional stress.
Photos 3.0-10: Spaces for different outdoor activities
iv. Treatments in Ayurveda
Few treatments practiced in Ayurveda also can be applied as the approach. They
are:
• Herbalogy and aromatherapy
Lots of herbs used in this treatment are applicable in Malaysia. We can found
that all kind of plants can be rely on, ranging from tree to ground covers.
Most are manage to engage all the senses. All these plants, with different leaf
textures, form, and smell can help to stimulate the senses and memory.
Therefore, these species can be used as the main species to be implemented.
• Colour therapy
Colour can do more than just look attractive. In Ayurveda, colour therapy is
use to promote health and healing. Each of the spectrum colours associated
with specific healing properties and believes to have its own spirit. As for
therapeutic landscape, it also make practical use of certain colors such as
deep purples, blues, greens, and whites, which are known to produce calming
effects and bright colors are sometimes used to promote feelings of hope and
joy.
According to Gita Ramesh, director of Kairali Ayurvedic Health Club
based in New Delhi, ayurveda links certain colors with the three doshas. Vata
is associated withbright colours such as gold, orange, blue, green and white.
Pitta connected with cool colours such as white, blue and green while kapha
related bright and stimulating colours like yellow, orange, gold and red.
Based on this understanding, it seems here that colour therapy also
has the potential to create Ayurveda as a new approach in therapeutic
landscape. This is because this treatment can be used as a guideline for
landscape architects in terms of colour selection. As a matter of fact, colours
not only have their own spirit on human, it can also give identity to a
landscape design.
Photos 3.0-11: Use of colour in design
• Tools in Ayurveda treatments
Tools basically can be applied by using them as the basis in design. The
example of this approach can we found at the National Zoo in Ulu Kelang.
The garden, designed by Nik Malik was full of ‘animal’ made of copper and
also clipped giraffe and elephant. It is design as an indication of the national
zoo. Besides can enhance it uses, this approach also can give a direct
visualization to the viewer.
It would be interesting if the tools have in Ayurveda treatment can be
represent as a landmark by using this kind of method. Landmark provided
can help orient the users of the space. Not only that, it also can help to
educate the users about Ayurveda and can help to provoke the surrounding
environment.
5.7 Application of Ayurveda Approach in Batu Caves Recreational Area
Theme proposed for Batu Caves tourism area is based on the five main elements in
Ayurveda, the design approach used in this project. The five elements are earth,
water, space, fire and air.
In terms of the approach, the treatment methods used in Ayurveda which
involving all five main senses; sight, touch, sound, taste and smell has been choosed
to be proposed in here. As been stated in the literature review, Ayurveda offers
treatments for each of the five senses because different people learn better through
different senses.
Figure 3.1-1 shows the theme and approach proposed for each area. Parking
area, which is the first area that will be reached by the visitors has been proposed
with air theme and smell approach. Therefore, the design of this area has been
considering on how to create an environment with good air condition which is very
important in order to give good impression among the visitors when they first get out
from their mobile. Flowering plants with fragrance will be implemented in this area in
a way to suit with the smell approach. This kind of plants can help to enhance the
environment.
For the temples zone, water and touch has been determined as the theme
and approach. The proposal of water for this area was considering the relationship of
this element with temple. As a matter of fact, no matter where temple is situated,
one essential factor for the existence of a temple is water. It considered as a
purifying elements. Touch here refers to the approach that will be emphasized in this
area especially in the design elements. For example, the implementation of water
features in this area. The coolness of water can invite people to feel and touch them.
Next area is open space. Suits with the area that mainly occupied with wide
green turfing, element of space has been proposed as it theme. As for approach,
sound seems to be strongly matched with the area since it is the main area for any
activities held in project site. Sound produced by the activities could invite more
people coming here. Besides, the sound of air movement in this wide open space
helps to give sense of calmness among the users.
Now, move on to the built-up area. Fire was proposed as the theme because
most of the buildings in Batu Caves tourism area have been centralized here. It
means that lots of daily activities and energy involved in this area. People interact
with each other here, in the restaurants, hostel, souvenir shops and etc. As a matter
of fact, fire also involved with energy and transformation. In Ayurveda, it is believes
that the fire or energy help to bind the atoms in human body together. Taste
approach was applied in the components and elements in a way such as
implementation of edible plants, proposal of restaurants and installation of drinking
fountain.
The remaining two areas left, garden and limestone hill area has been
proposed with earth and sight as the theme and approach. In Ayurveda, earth
represents the solid state of matter which manifests stability, permanence and
rigidity. On the other hand, all this long we know that earth is an important
substance for plants to growth. As for the earth, it also needs the plants or more
specifically the plants root in order to guaranty its stability and solidity. This
symbiosis tells the reason why earth has been selected as their theme. For the
approach, sight suits the areas because both are categorized under sensitive area
which is needed to be preserved. Since the limestone hill cannot be altered, new
components and elements with sight approach only will be proposed for the garden
area. Example of element and component are Ayurveda Herbs Garden and lily pond.
Besides using the theme and approach as one of the main guidance and
reference in the components and elements proposed, the Indian design characteristic
and cultures also have been taken into consideration in order to successfully create
the Indian culture environment in Batu Caves tourism area.
Limestone Hill Limestone Hill
Buffer Zone +Garden
Parking
Buffer zone + Garden
Parking
Built-up area Temples Zone
Main entrance / exit
Ghanda (smell) Vaya (air)
Rasa (taste) Tejas (fire)
Shabda (sound) Akasha (space)
Sparsha (touch) Apas (water)
Rupa (sight) Prithvi (earth)
Approach Theme Legend
Not to scale
N
Alternative entrance / exit
Open space
Figure 3.1-1: Theme and approach conceptual plan
5.8 Conclusion
More and more people start to realize that healing process need to focused on more
than just pills and conventional medicine. And one of the shortest ways is through a
therapeutic landscape.
Each type of therapeutic landscape design manages to have its own impact
on enhancing people’s day life. Some maybe have special cooling and meditative
aspects in which someone can find after a full of struggle and stress day.
In searching for a new approach that can give a broader horizon for
therapeutic garden, Ayurveda seems capable to fit in. this ancient healing system
have the special qualities and characteristics that help to strengthen physical,
mental, emotional and spiritual health in a balance and harmonious relationship with
the natural and social environment.
By achieving this idea, Ayurveda can represent a new face of traditional and
complementary medicine in the landscape design world and will help to give a
broader horizon for the landscape architects especially in Malaysia. Although this
traditional Indian wisdom is the less of common practice, but its special features and
qualities can be a possible approach in landscape design. The idea on how this
approach can be implemented in the landscape design can be found in the findings
of this paper.
References
Books
Motloch J. L. (1991), Introduction to landscape Design, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New
York Saad I., Herbals and Medicinal Plants in Malaysia, Department of Architecture, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Selva T. (2003), Vasthu Sastra: Indian Feng Shui, Rayaana Graphic, Kuala Lumpur Samiyah M.N., Abdullah H., Zulkhairy A (2003), Koleksi Bergambar Herba Malaysia,
Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI)
Thesis
Aun G. S., (1999/2000), Traditional Chinese Wisdom in Site Planning, Department of landscape Architecture, University Putra Malaysia
Newspaper
Harian Metro, Khamis, 22 Julai 2004, Syurga Kediaman Ayurveda
Interner Resources
http://www.ayurveda.com/
http://images.google.com.my/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/ayurv
eda.
http://www.lifepositive.net/ayurveda.asp
http://www.holistic-online.com/ayurveda/avy-basis-five-great-elements.htm
http://www.ayurveda-herbs.com/Ayurveda.htm
http://www.ayurvedahc.com/Library/panckar.htm
http://www.omplace.com/articles/Ayurveda_Massage.html
http://www.ayur.com/dosha/pitta.html
http://images.google.com.my/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tours-
southindia.com/gifs/kerala-ayurveda-1.
http://images.google.com.my/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/ayurv
eda.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/ayurveda1.html
http://www.healingdaily.com/conditions/ayurveda.htm
http://www.ayurveda-ww.com/WhatIsAyur.htm
http://www.shriramayurvedshala.com/ayurveda.htm
http://staff.mwsc.edu/~tewari/ayurhistory.htm
http://www.ayurvedacures.com/principle_main.htm