What is Ayurveda about?
Ayurveda is considered one of the world’s oldest health care systems and a healing science that originated in the Indus Valley more than 5000 years ago. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life” or “knowledge of life or longevity “and is often called the “Mother of All Healing.” Ayurveda is a lineage based oral folk medicine that was later written in sacred texts of India, the Vedas.
Ayurveda vs Western medicine - what is the difference?
While western allopathic medicine takes symptomatic and disease-focused approach and is an expert in acute and critical care, Ayurveda focuses on prevention of disease, maintenance of health and management of chronic illnesses.
Ayurveda believes in creating balance between body, mind, spirit and in living in harmony with the environment we are in by following the laws of nature. Basically, the closer we get to the rhythms of nature like eating what is in season, timing all meals and sleep to the sun and moon cycles, the more aligned with nature we are and the more balanced we become.
Ayurvedic way to maintain our body, mind and spirit balanced
According to Ayurvedic wisdom we can achieve balance and health by preventive, rejuvenative and healing practices like appropriate lifestyle & self- care, diet, herbs and spices, exercise & movement (yoga postures), meditation and so on. Ayurveda focuses on simplicity and offers many easy to follow, easily accessible practices that will help us to keep that balance.
Those practices and rituals are tailored to a person’s individual and unique constitution; the constitution that individual was born with and which remains through life, called Prakruti. Our original nature (Prakruti) is created by five elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth) and 3 doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and expressed in our physical, mental and emotional characteristics.
Five elements in Ayurveda – building blocks of us and the world around us
Ayurveda is based on the main principle which says that all human beings and the universe around us is composed of five great elements (Pancha Mahabuhas) – Space/ Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth. Those five elements come together and create 3 doshas – Vata, Pitta, Kapha, which are biological energies.
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Space /Ether ( Akasha)
Ether is clear, expansive, empty and has no resistance, creates openness and freedom between things, allowing other elements to fill and change to take place. It is subtle, immeasurable and cannot be seen with our five senses but we know when the ether /space is missing. Ether is found in body spaces, cavities and open systems like cranial, nasal and thoracic space, oral cavity, ears tubes, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
Excess of ether element increases the emptiness, causes weakening of cells and tissues in the body and mentally we become spacey and ungrounded.
When we are deficient in ether element we experience lack of freedom, cluttered thoughts and have trouble connecting with others and making conscious decisions.
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Air ( Vayu )
Air is light, cold, dry, rough and is the principle of movement and change and keeps the body in constant motion. It governs all nerve impulses, motor responses and peristalsis in the colon. It allows thoughts to flow, inhalation and exhalation to occur and blood to circulate.
Having an excess of air element may result in rapid heart rate/ palpitations, hyper-excitability (anxiety), hypermobility and diarrhoea. Deficiency in the air element causes slow heart rate, poor circulation, sluggishness, and dullness.
The Rishis/sages in ancient India regarded Air/ Vayu to be the life force/life essence also called Prana.
Vata dosha is formed by air and space is energy of movement.
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Fire ( Agni or Tejas)
Fire element represents the energy, transformation, metabolism & guides our digestion, absorption, assimilation and regulates body temperature. Fire also kindles the intellect and is responsible for understanding, intelligence, and attention, digesting visual expressions, emotions, and ideas. Fire is hot, sharp, penetrating dry, oily and is found in digestive enzymes in the stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, grey matter of the brain and eyes and as components of each tissue.
Excess in the fire element in the body leads to heat buildup and may result in inflamed tissues, skin rashes, diarrhoea and fever but also mental intensity and burn out.
When there is not enough fire, we may feel cold, have grey/pale skin, complain of indigestion, inability to process new information, experience lack of motivation and heaviness.
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Water ( Apas or Jala )
The water element represents fluidity, cohesion, and adaptability is necessary for assimilation and maintaining electrolyte balance. It gives body protection, lubrication, and nourishment. Water is cool, stable, heavy, moist, smooth, flowing, and is found in all bodily secretions and excretions like cerebrospinal and pleural fluid, plasma, blood, saliva, digestive enzymes, urine and sweat.
Excess of water element reduces strength of the digestive fire, causes heaviness, edema, weight gain, creation of mucus and feeling lazy, unambitious and being overly attached.
Water deficiency results in dehydration seen in dry mucous membranes, dry skin, constipation, itchy eyes and also weight loss, weakness in the reproductive tissues, feeling exhausted, lack of pleasure and sensuality.
Pitta dosha is combined from fire and water is the energy of digestion /metabolism, absorption and assimilation, and temperature control.
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Earth ( Pruthivi )
Earth element represents stability and solidity and is related to the development and growth of tissues. In the mind the earth element gives mental and emotional stability, a sense of responsibility and faith. Earth is cool, slow, stable, heavy, dry, rough, dense, and hard and is manifested in all solid substances such as bones, cartilage, muscle, tendons, nails and teeth.
Excess of earth element causes heaviness, thickening and size increase in the tissues and body structures seen as larger muscles, thicker and denser skin and nails and denser hair. Mentally we may experience loss of interest in life, dullness, adverse to change and have a tendency to overeating.
Deficiency in the earth element in the body results in weak bones and teeth, lower body fat and muscles, feeling cold and unsteady, experiencing insecurity and inability to deal with challenges.
Kapha dosha is built from earth and water is energy of structure, stability, repair and lubrication, immunity.
The Doshas - Ayurvedic body /mind types
One of the fundamental concepts of Ayurveda is Dosha. Dosha is an energy force that rules the body, mind and emotions. Doshas are patterns in nature and patterns in us. Times of the day have doshas, time of life has doshas and even places have doshas.
Dosha is commonly explained as body type or constitution but from Sanskrit it means “fault” or “to enter disharmony with an original flow who you really are “.
The three doshas VATA, PITTA and KAPHA are present in every cell, tissue, organ system. Each dosha is created from five elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth) but combination of the elements varies in each dosha giving each dosha different quality and function as well as physical, mental and emotional characteristics.
A person’s constitution is typically described as being Vata, Pitta or Kapha “predominant”, depending on the characteristics. A person could be a dual doshic for instance Vata /Pitta where both doshic characteristics are equal. On rare occasions a person is ‘Tri- doshic” where all 3 doshas are present in an equal amount.
What does each dosha look like?
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VATA
Vata is formed from space/ ether and air elements. Vata energy is responsible for movements in the body including the nervous system, circulation, breathing, ingestion, elimination, expression of thoughts, feelings and other emotions. Vata qualities are dry, light, cold, subtle, mobile, active, rough and clear.
Vata person has a slim body frame, fine bone structure, undeveloped muscles, little or no fat tissue, and a tendency to dry and rough skin and hair. Vata will have a tendency towards poor circulation (cold hands and cold feet) and will not tolerate cold very well.
Vata is usually very active and energetic, tends to speak and move fast and often multitasks.
When balanced Vata is creative, enthusiastic, inspiring.
When out of balance in Vata will experience very dry hair, skin and colon (constipation), headaches , anxiety and nervousness, fear, panic attacks and insecurity.
Vata is balanced by heavy, moist, warm, and stable qualities.
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PITTA
Pitta is a combination of fire and water elements. Pitta energy is digestion, absorption, assimilation, transformation. Pitta also controls body temperature, skin colour and complexion, functions of the mind, intellect and senses like comprehension, recognition, discrimination or justification. Qualities of Pitta are hot, sharp, oily, light and unstable.
Pitta person has medium frame and good muscle tone, has steady weight. Pittas are perfectionists.
When balanced, Pitta individual is energetic, witty, clear minded, perceptive, and focused and understanding.
When out of balance Pitta gravitates toward heated emotions like intensity, anger, resentment, jealousy, criticism and cynicism. Pitas have a tendency to fever and inflammatory diseases.
Pitta is balanced by cool, heavy, stable, and slightly dry qualities.
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KAPHA
Kapha is a combination of water and earth elements. Kapha energy provides growth, nourishment, healing, and lubrication to the body providing strength, immunity, stability and structure. Kapha qualities include slow, heavy, stable, oily, cool, sticky, dense.
Kapha individuals have thicker build, large bones & muscles and tend to gain weight easily. Kaphas have thick, wavy hair, big beautiful eyes and cool skin. Kapha person is slow moving and slow talking. Kapha is prone to water retention, mucous conditions in the lungs and sinuses and diabetes.
When in balance Kapha is loving, nurturing, dedicated and compassionate.
When out of balance Kapha gets overly attached, lethargic and greedy.
Kapha is balanced by warm, light, dry, and mobile qualities.
Even though doshas differ from each other and are often opposite they work harmoniously with each other creating balance in the body and nature.
Prakruti – Your unique body type and doshic equilibrium in Ayurveda
Prakruti is a person’s unique constitution, a balanced combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha created during conception and continuing through life. Prakruti expresses a person’s physical, mental and emotional nature/ characteristics, specific behaviours & actions as well as responses to the external environment.
Knowledge of one’s personal Prakruti is very valuable for self-awareness and maintaining a good health and balanced life. Prakruti determines a personal predisposition to imbalances and diseases, so the knowledge of personal dosha will indicate best lifestyle practices, best dietary choices, best movement routines to keep the Prakruti in balance.
Vikruti – state of imbalance in Ayurveda
Unfortunately, many factors like fast paced life, travelling, changes in diet, environment, relationships, weather and internal changes in our thoughts, emotions, stress, trauma may disturb the balance of the doshas. This temporary, unbalanced state is called Vikruti. When Vikruti is not corrected and dosha is continuously unbalanced and excessive it may turn into disease. For instance, excess hot quality from spicy food, excessive exercise, intense & competitive lifestyle, alcohol, and hot weather may create fever, rash or anger and frustration. If those conditions are not pacified and body and mind cooled down it may turn into more serious symptoms and disease.
Know your dosha
Understanding the characteristics and the relationship of those 5 elements is essential for maintaining health and preventing disease. Ayurveda believes in rule ‘like increases like ‘ so when body gets out of balance the elements of opposite qualities are used to bring body to balance and wellbeing. And with various treatments and modifications that will harmonize the five elements in body and mind.
Summary
Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest forms of holistic healing science with a focus on creating vibrant life, healthy body/mind spirit and living in harmony with the environment and nature.
Main concept in Ayurveda is the concept of 5 elements ( ether, air, fire, water, earth) , which are present in the universe and in the human body. The combination of the five elements creates a unique personal constitution ‘dosha’ , our true nature and state of balance called Prakruti.
Ayurveda aims to correct any doshic imbalance ‘ Vikruti ‘ at the root cause using holistic approach and by taking in consideration a unique constitution of a person and creating personalized treatment plan.