What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the 5000 yr old
traditional medicine from India. The word is a Sanskrit
term meaning the science of life. It takes a holistic
approach to health and wellbeing. Health is not limited
to only the physical aspects but also the mental and
spiritual aspects of life. It provides a guide to how to
live in harmony with nature. Body, mind and
consciousness work together to bring balance to ones
life.
Ayurveda promotes prevention by
being observant to ones thinking, diet and overall
lifestyle. Each one of us has a unique combination of
energies that govern how we think, act and coexist.
These energies are constantly fluctuating due to how we
handle internal and external stress, whether it is
emotional, physical or environmental. Understanding
these energies will help one maintain balance even in
the most stressful times.
Ayurveda defines three major energies that
govern every aspect of our being. They are Vata, Pitta, and
Kapha. Everyone has all three; however they are varied in
amounts with one or two being more dominant then the third.
These body/mind types or doshas define our individuality by
unique combinations.
Vata reflects the qualities of space and air, relating to
movement and electrical/neural impulse. The Vata energy governs
all movement in the body, bones, muscles, nervous impulse and
cellular activities. Pitta is made up of fire and water, relating to
digestion, metabolism and body temperature. Kapha is water
and earth, relating to structure, lubrication and growth. It
lubricates the joints, maintains immunity and is the glue
that holds cells together. According to Ayurveda disease is
caused by excess or deficiency of one of these energies.
Vata energy is about movement. It
is governed by air and space. Vata does well with
activities that create routine to ground this energy.
The fall season and between seasons is when vata energy
is dominant. People that are predominately Vata will be
adaptable, cheerful, and thin-framed. If they are out of
balance, their skin will be dry, experience gas,
constipation, or have bone issues such as arthritis.
They can also become anxious, worried and fearful. Warm
cooked foods with sweet, salty and sour tastes help
balance this constitution.
Pitta types are warm and passionate. They have a driving
determination and make great leaders. They will have
moderate build and tend to have freckles or moles. When
out of balance they tend to get overheated, do not
tolerate sun or heat. They become overly critical
and impatient. Physical symptoms will be fevers, rashes,
ulcers, infection or high blood pressure. Although hot,
spicy foods are enjoyed, bitter, sweet and astringent
flavors balance this dosha. The summer season is when
Pitta is dominant.
Kapha individuals are loving and dedicated people. They
are very mellow and calm but strong and endearing. They
tend to be big boned and heavy set. Winter is the season
of Kapha and excess is shown with increase in colds,
sinus congestion and mucous accumulation. If out of
balance, they tend to have water retention, overweight
or have bronchitis. They tend to become attached and
clingy as well as lethargic when kapha is in excess.
Diets rich in bitter, astringent and pungent tastes will help
balance the slow metabolism.
Living a balanced lifestyle is achievable and rewarding.
It will take determination and attentiveness but making
changes for the better will help you live a long,
healthy and happy life.
For additional reading:
-
Perfect Health by Deepak Chopra, MD 2000
-
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad
1985
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