Ayurveda is a holistic health and wellness preventative care practice that has been around for over 5000 years. Ayurveda means the “science or knowledge of life.” This time-honored form of preventative care has its roots in the Indian Vedic culture, which has influenced eastern and western health care.
Ayurveda’s health and wellness prevention-oriented system includes:
– Diet and nutrition
– A healthy lifestyle and daily routine
– Stress management, including meditation
– Herbs and dietary supplements
– Detoxification
– Breathing exercises (Pranayama)
– Rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana)
– Self-massage (Abhyanga)
– Yoga postures
Ayurveda emphasizes a balanced life, achieved through the understanding of natural elements, rhythms and one’s unique constitutional nature. According to Ayurveda, there are five elements in nature: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Combinations of these elements give rise to three main constitutional types, or Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each person exhibits the combination of the Doshas in his or her individual way. The Doshas are dynamic energies which we inherit at the time of our conception, this is known as Prakruti. Our Doshic balance can change in response to our bodily actions, thoughts, emotions, the food we eat, the seasons and any other changes that influence our mind and body. When we become out of balance, called Vikruti, we exhibit an excess of a particular Dosha(s) quality, prohibiting us from living and feeling our best. Understanding one’s constitutional type and the characteristics of each dosha, opens the door to a healthy and balanced life. Embracing an Ayurvedic practice, in which a person gains knowledge on how to best approach personal wellness, empowers one to achieve physical, mental and emotional balance.
Ayurveda’s Constitution or Dosha
Ayurveda emphasizes a balanced life, achieved through the understanding of natural elements, rhythms and one’s unique constitutional nature.
According to Ayurveda, there are five elements in nature: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Combinations of these elements give rise to three main constitutional types, or Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each person exhibits the combination of the Doshas in his or her individual way. The Doshas are dynamic energies which we inherit at the time of our conception, this is known as Prakruti.
Our Doshic balance can change in response to our bodily actions, thoughts, emotions, the food we eat, the seasons and any other changes that influence our mind and body. When we become out of balance, known as Vikruti, we exhibit an excess amount of a particular Dosha(s) quality, prohibiting us from living and feeling our best. Understanding one’s constitution and the characteristics of each Dosha, opens the door to a healthy and balanced life. Embracing an Ayurvedic practice, in which a person gains knowledge on how to best approach personal wellness, empowers one to achieve physical, mental and emotional balance.
VATA DOSHA
– Governs all movement of the body: flow of breath, heart contraction, muscle contraction, cellular movement, movement of nerve impulses in the nervous system and the brain.
– Elements are air and ether.
– Qualities are light, dry, cold, mobile, rough, subtle and clear.
– Personality traits: creative, energetic, enthusiastic, vibrant, spiritually perceptive.
– Person’s physical characteristics: usually thin, light frame and agile.
– When Vata Dosha is out of balance, one can experience dryness in all the tissues of the body: hair, skin, mouth, nose; experience digestive irregularities: gas, bloating, constipation; feel cold, restless, overwhelmed, and/ or anxious; have hypertension; have insomnia; worry excessively.
PITTA DOSHA
– Governs digestion, metabolism, and energy production.
– Elements are fire and water.
– Qualities are hot, light, intense, penetrating, pungent, sharp and acidic.
– Personality traits: strong intellect, focused, motivated, ambitious, good decision maker and leader.
– Person’s physical characteristics: medium size and weight, often athletic. They exhibit early graying, baldness or thinning hair, excellent digestion, warm body temperature, lustrous complexion, and abundant energy. They may also sleep soundly and have a strong appetite.
– When Pitta Dosha is out of balance, one may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, indigestion, irritability; argumentativeness and short-temperedness.
KAPHA DOSHA
– Governs immune system and provides structure in the body with bones, muscles, teeth, hair, and nails.
– Qualities are heavy, slow, steady, solid, cold, soft and oily.
– Personality traits: caregiver, nurturer, calm, thoughtful, caring and loving.
– Person’s physical characteristics: strong build, may have excess weight gain, excellent stamina, large eyes, radiant skin, thick hair, sleeps soundly, regular digestion, prone to fluid retention and allergy manifestation in the body.
– When Kapha Dosha is out of balance one can experience weight gain, excessive sleeping respiratory issues such as asthma, hay fever, diabetes, swelling in joints and body tissue, increased mucous production in eyes and sinus; depression, lethargy, jealousy; greed, and stronger attachments to things, people and ideas.
VATA DOSHA
– Governs all movement of the body: flow of breath, heart contraction, muscle contraction, cellular movement, movement of nerve impulses in the nervous system and the brain.
– Elements are air and ether.
– Qualities are light, dry, cold, mobile, rough, subtle and clear.
– Personality traits: creative, energetic, enthusiastic, vibrant, spiritually perceptive.
– Person’s physical characteristics: usually thin, light frame and agile.
– When Vata Dosha is out of balance, one can experience dryness in all the tissues of the body: hair, skin, mouth, nose; experience digestive irregularities: gas, bloating, constipation; feel cold, restless, overwhelmed, and/ or anxious; have hypertension; have insomnia; worry excessively.
PITTA DOSHA
– Governs digestion, metabolism, and energy production.
– Elements are fire and water.
– Qualities are hot, light, intense, penetrating, pungent, sharp and acidic.
– Personality traits: strong intellect, focused, motivated, ambitious, good decision maker and leader.
– Person’s physical characteristics: medium size and weight, often athletic. They exhibit early graying, baldness or thinning hair, excellent digestion, warm body temperature, lustrous complexion, and abundant energy. They may also sleep soundly and have a strong appetite.
– When Pitta Dosha is out of balance, one may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, indigestion, irritability; argumentativeness and short-temperedness.
KAPHA DOSHA
– Governs immune system and provides structure in the body with bones, muscles, teeth, hair, and nails.
– Qualities are heavy, slow, steady, solid, cold, soft and oily.
– Personality traits: caregiver, nurturer, calm, thoughtful, caring and loving.
– Person’s physical characteristics: strong build, may have excess weight gain, excellent stamina, large eyes, radiant skin, thick hair, sleeps soundly, regular digestion, prone to fluid retention and allergy manifestation in the body.
– When Kapha Dosha is out of balance one can experience weight gain, excessive sleeping respiratory issues such as asthma, hay fever, diabetes, swelling in joints and body tissue, increased mucous production in eyes and sinus; depression, lethargy, jealousy; greed, and stronger attachments to things, people and ideas.
