Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old healing and medical system from India which came from the ancient texts known as the Vedas (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, and Sama Veda) and is the oldest continually practiced medical system on the planet. Ayurveda is based on the fact that all living beings are governed by the same natural laws and recognizes the connection of the universal energies and the energies and rhythms within our own bodies.
The word Ayurveda literally translates to “The Science of Life”. Ayurveda focuses on disease prevention and awareness within our bodies. Through diet, routine, and herbal remedies one can live with a balanced mind, body, and spirit. Understanding we are all just a microcosm of the macrocosm of the universe is at Ayurveda’s core. There are many other branches to this acient science, including astrology, psychology, philosophy, surgery, toxicoligy, obstetrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, and rejuvination, among others. Ayurveda works with modern medicine as these principles are eternal, but focuses more on chronic vs acute issues as well as on the unique individual, not just the disease, and on the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Treating each individual as just that - a unique individual - is at the core of Ayurveda. We each have our own unique constitution and when we are able to see how the elements come together within us to create who we are - in a balanced place - we are able to begin the journey back home to ourselves.
“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”
Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine.
The Five Elements of Space (Akasha), Air (Vayu), Fire (Tejas), Water (Jala), and Earth (Prthvi) make up everything in the material universe. Each of us has all of these elements within us, but some have more or less of one than others, determining our individual elemental constitution. Your unique natural constitution (Prakriti) is your natural place of balance. This is determined at conception and is stable and unchanging. Think of it as your own base point or place of homeostasis where your body, mind, and consciousness are balanced, healthy, and at home. Due to different factors like temporal changes, relationships, aging, seasonal changes, diet, lifestyle choices and trauma, this place of balance can be disrupted. This would then be a place of imbalance (Vikriti). The goal for health and balance is to re-align your Prakriti and Vikriti so we are able to live our lives fully and with joy.
“A healthy person is one in whom the dosas (elemental constitution), agni (digestion), dhatus (tissues), malas (wastes) and their activities are normal. Their soul, sense organs and mind are content and clear.”
VATA
{ Movement }
Space (ether) and Air combine to form this dosha with its cool, dry, mobile, rough, subtle, clear, and light qualities. These qualities will usually become more prevalent during the colder months.
General characteristics of Vata individuals tend to run cold and are generally tall and with a more thin physical frame, more prominent joints, dry skin, thin dry hair, and smaller eyes and lips. Vata constitutions are creative, enthusiastic, excitable, speak and move quickly and tend to be free spirited.
When out of balance individuals can experience anxiety, constipation, gas/bloating, insecurities, eating disorders, twitches, distraction, and restlessness. Vata has an affinity for areas of the body that have more space and where there is more movement like the colon, pelvis, low back, bones, skin, head, and ears.
Ways to balance Vata:
Keep warm.
Have a regular daily routine.
Eat warm, moist, cooked foods.
Sesame oil abhyanga.
Meditation.
Favor sweet, salty, and sour tastes.
Avoid violent music and TV.
Snuggle time :)
Avoid raw, cold, light foods.
Avoid too much sensory stimulation and travel.
Practice light exercise.
Nadi shodhana pranayama.
PITTA
{ Transformation }
Fire (Tejas) and Water (Jala) come together to create this hot, liquid, sharp, fleshy smelling, and spreading dosha. These qualities will usually be more noticeable during the hotter summer months.
Pitta constitutions general characteristics include an athletic muscular build, warmer body temperature, strong appetite, piercing eyes, thinning or early greying hair, and freckles or moles. Pittas tend to be sharp witted leader with strong digestion and fiery tendencies. Many would describe them as passionate, focused, social, energetic and assertive.
Pittas get out of balance when too much fire accumulates. Then individuals can become critical, angry, overheated, overly competitive, aggressive, and impatient. In the body they might experience diarrhea, acid indigestion, ulcers, insomnia, inflammation, rashes, migraines, or high blood pressure. Pitta has an affinity for the stomach, small intestine, blood, brain, spleen, gall bladder, eyes, and liver.
Ways to balance Pitta:
Stay cool.
Coconut oil abhyanga.
Spend time in nature outside.
Favor sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes.
Practice moderation.
Do not skip meals.
Moderate to light exercise.
Vitali pranayama.
Metta meditation.
KAPHA
{ Structure }
Water (Jala) and Earth (Prthvi) create this heavy, sticky, slow, smooth, slimy, and cold dosha. These qualities are most noticeable in spring as the snow melts.
The general characteristics of Kapha individuals include a stocky short or tall physical build, large eyes, a deep voice, oily skin and thick hair, dense bones, smooth skin, and good stamina. Kapha’s tend to be compassionate, reliable, loyal, faithful, supportive, calm, sweet, and stable.
When out of balance, Kaphas can be stubborn, possessive, lethargic, depressed, or lethargic. Weight gain, allergies, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, and issues with the lungs, sinuses or lymph can also be an area for concern. Kapha tends to accumulate in the lungs, stomach, mouth, pancreases, sinuses, throat, lymph nodes, and plasma.
Ways to balance Kapha:
Try new things.
Exercise and move your body daily (more vigorous exercise).
Grape seed abhyangha.
Favor pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes.
Do not oversleep.
Avoid naps.
Avoid clutter.
Favor warm, dry, light foods.
Drink warm or hot water.
“Like increases like, and opposite balances.”
Drawn from this understanding of nature’s elements, Ayurveda can help you recognize your unique place of balance while also living in tune with the seasonal shifts which affect us whether we notice it or not. These ancient techniques and remedies have been successfully practiced for thousands of years and work with modern medicine. The thing many of us are missing is the reason for the symptom. Modern medicine is wonderful for more acute issues, but when it comes to other patterns, Ayurveda can help you get to the root cause of dis-ease. Body, mind and spirit are all important factors in health and are always all taken into consideration. You were born balanced, but through diet and lifestyle choices, seasonal shifts, or traumas we had no control over, homeostasis is disrupted. By knowing where your place of balance is and creating lasting good habits, whole wellness can be achieved.
