The Secret of Ayurveda

Ayurveda means “science of life”. It is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, originating in India more than 5000 years ago. It is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body and spirit. If your mind, body and spirit are in harmony with the universe, you have a good health. If something disrupts this balance, it can lead to disease processes. To know how to balance body, mind, and spirit requires an understanding of how tridoshas (biological energy) work together. These three doshas are known as sanskrit words vata, pitta and kapha.

Each of us was born with a unique, original constitution prakruti or body type and it remains constant from birth. Our prakruti determines our physical, physiologic and mental character, and disease vulnerability. The doshic constitution we have at the present moment is our vikruti. Our vikruti shows our imbalance, which can be caused by lifestyle, stress, diet, events and the environment in which we live. If this imbalance is too high or low, it can cause a disease.

The five basic elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth) exist within each of us. Two elements are predominant in each, and everyone has a unique combination.

Vata = Air + Ether

Pitta = Fire + Water

Kapha = Earth + Water

Vata

The Sanskrit word vata means movement. Vata is the most important part of the three doshas because it is responsible for both physical and mental movement in the body. It maintains a structure and tissues and provides blood circulation in the body. The main seat of vata is the colon. Vata represents dry, instable, light, rough, cold, creative attributes. Vata persons are sensitive, fearful, learn quickly, and have unsettled and short sleep. Physically, they have light, thin, flexible bodies, small eyes and dry hair. If they are out of balance, they tend toward constipation and anxiety and feel joint pain. The more air in the joints, the more painful. They have dry skin, cold hands and feet.

Pitta

Pitta is the energy of transformation, digestion or metabolism. The main seat of pitta is the stomach and small intestine. Characteristics of pitta are hot, intense, penetrating, flow, oily. Pitta persons have medium body frame, ruddy skin, thin and straight hair. In balance pitta promotes intellingence and understanding. Pitta’s signs of imbalance are inflammation, digestive problems, arthritis, anger, aggresivity, irritation, migraines, headache, problems with burning sensations.

Kapha

Kapha governs bodily functions concerned with physical structure and fluid balance. Its main seat is in the stomach and chest. Kapha is made up of characteristics such as stability, heaviness and calmness. Kapha is slow, strong, cold and gross. The kapha persons have a large body shape, large eyes, strong teeth, thick and wavy hair, oily skin. They have slow digestion and metabolism and so they easily gain weight. They love sleeping and eating. They are very kind, tolerant and compassionate. Out of balance, kapha leads to obesity, diabetes, sinus problems or gallblader.

The more we become aware of our doshas, the more we will be able to see the inter connectivity of our own body.

Ayurvedic medicine says that health comes from a balanced lifestyle not from pills. The Western medicine treats the disease after it has appeared. Ayurveda tries to inhibit appearing the disease.

Ayurveda is a way of healthy living and we are healthy if:

  • The body, mind, and spirit are in harmony;
  • Our five sensory organs work naturally;
  • All three doshas are in a balance;
  • Urine, stool and sweat are formed and naturally excreted;
  • The body’s canals are not blocked and energy flows through them;

If you want to know which dosha is the most prevalent in you, let me know and I will help you to determine.