What is Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a holistic, natural practice of medicine that originated in India more than 4,000 years ago and one that is still practiced widely today. Because Ayurveda involves subtle daily lifestyle choices, it can often be used in conjunction with any modern medicine approach, though you should always check with your healthcare provider prior to engaging in any lifestyle change. When translated from its original Sanskrit form, Ayurveda can be interpreted as “the science of life”. Rather than focusing solely on treating diseases after they occur, Ayurveda is based on the idea of living in harmony with yourself and with nature daily to prevent mental and physical imbalances, which lead to disease. Sometimes referred to as “the sister science of yoga”, Ayurveda recommends a regular practice of unity among mind, body, spirit, and nature to maintain optimal health. According to the practice of Ayurveda, mental health, as well as spiritual health, are equally as important as physical health in living a truly healthy life. You can achieve optimal whole-body health by engaging in daily practices that include morning and nighttime rituals that align with the rhythms of nature, meditation, movement and eating habits that are rooted in Ayurvedic tradition. The theory of Ayurveda is based on the existence of, and maintaining balance between, five elements: space/ether, air/wind, fire, water, and earth. The sages of Ayurveda synthesized these into three categories, which are now called doshas. According to Ayurveda, every human being has a predominant dosha or combination of doshas. Each dosha has its own natural inclinations, such as the tendency to be airy, fiery, earthy, or a combination of any of these. The goal of Ayurveda is to maintain balance among your individual dosha(s) through daily practices to cultivate a life of whole-body health. According to Ayurveda, maintaining this balance daily has the potential to result in optimal health in the long run.
What are the Doshas?
There are three doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of these doshas is comprised of a combination of elements. Vata is made up of air and ether/space, fire and water come together to form Pitta, and Kapha consists of the coupling of earth and water. Our predominant dosha type can influence everything from our physical bodies to our unconscious mental states. This is why Ayurveda calls for specific daily practices relating to the foods we eat, the exercises we engage in, and to the types of meditations and rituals we practice. All of these may vary widely from person to person. Read on to understand a little more about each dosha.
Vata
Due to the airy nature of this dosha, people who are predominantly Vata may be hyperactive, naturally slim, creative, may experience physical dryness, and may get cold more easily than other dosha types. If out of balance, Vata people may experience hypertension, digestive issues, weight loss, anxiety, insomnia, and forgetfulness. However, when in balance, Vatas can be exceptionally agile, creative, energetic, and flexible. Certain Ayurvedic rituals and practices can be used to keep a Vata person in balance. For example, since Vata people tend to be naturally energetic, a calming yoga practice or gentle meditation session may be more beneficial for this dosha type than a more rigorous activity. Additionally, because Vata people are naturally “airy”, foods that are warming and grounding should be prioritized, such as warm vegetable soup. Morning and evening rituals should also be warming and grounding for this dosha type, such as gentle self-massage, the use of warming oils, and grounding movement.
Pitta
Influenced by the elements of fire and water, Pitta people tend to be muscular with medium athletic builds, they tend to be slightly more competitive than the other two doshas, are generally assertive, driven, and are typically intellectual. As naturally hard workers, they may be at a greater risk of burnout. When out of balance, Pitta people may experience skin rashes, excessive body heat and sweating, short tempers, indigestion, and a propensity toward rigidity and anger. However, when in balance, Pitta people may have a lustrous complexion, healthy digestion, they may be sharp and precise, and are excellent leaders. Unlike Vata people, who are naturally “cool”, Pittas are fiery and Ayurvedic practices tend to be more cooling for this dosha. For example, it is recommended that Pitta people avoid hot chilies, which may overstimulate their natural hot tendencies. Instead, foods like cucumbers, bitter greens, and legumes are recommended for Pittas, as they are cooling in nature. Pitta people should engage in rituals that are cooling to the mind and body. When out of balance, yoga in a cool room can be a balancing exercise for Pitta people.
Kapha
The Kapha dosha is made up of earth and water elements. Because of this combination, Kapha people tend to have solid physical builds, they radiate calming energy that is warm and welcoming, they are often described as having a laid-back attitude, and they can be exceptionally reliable partners or friends. When Kapha people are out of balance, they may experience weight gain, slow digestion, excessive tiredness, depression, and may be resistant to change. When in balance, Kapha people may have smooth supple skin, thick hair, excellent stamina, and are generally patient and supportive. Due to the steady and stable nature of this dosha, Ayurveda calls for regular movement, stimulating activities and rituals, and the consumption of light dry foods for Kapha types. A vigorous yoga class may be more beneficial for this dosha than a calming yoga class. Because Kapha people tend to be heavy sleepers, creating a morning routine that involves waking up around 6 am may result in maximized energy for this dosha.
Your Individualized Day-to-Day Wellness Plan for Long Term Health
While every human being is different and specific practices and rituals will vary according to individual doshas, Ayurveda sets the foundation for creating daily routines that optimize wellness for anyone who practices it. Ayurvedic practices have stood the test of time because they are largely intuitive and just make sense. For example, if you are feeling cold and anxious, some part of you knows that reaching for a calming cup of warm tea will help bring you back to homeostasis. However, since we live in a world that is becoming increasingly fast-paced, overstimulating, and even further removed from nature, it can be exceptionally difficult to tune into our own intuition at any given time. Like yoga, Ayurvedic practices have the potential to deepen our connection to ourselves and to the world around us. By engaging daily in simple Ayurvedic routines and rituals that allow for your body and mind to harmonize with nature, healthy choices will come naturally and intuitively over time. Understanding your dosha is the first step in creating your own personalized and sustainable wellness plan. Want to take that first step? You can take an online dosha test here https://chopra.com/dosha-quiz. You can also attend an Ayurveda workshop at our Las Olas Yoga studio!
