What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is ancient India's system of healing and is at least 5,000 years old. In Ayurvedic philosophy, everything in the universe is composed of 5 elements: space, air, fire, water and earth. Space is vast, cold, subtle, clear and immeasurable. It is the expanse between the particles that make up an atom as well as astronomical space. Air (like wind) is mobile, rough, dry, cold and light. Fire is hot, spreading and light, and can be seen in burning stars, lava, acids, metabolism and transformation from one thing into another. Water, present in the atmosphere, oceans and elsewhere is cool, heavy, liquid, soft, nourishing and lubricating. Earth, as solid matter and in minerals and our bones, is heavy, grounding, dense, stable, hard and gross (as opposed to subtle).
The rishis who first developed the knowledge of Ayurveda saw that the five elements form three 'doshas': Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Dosha means 'that which becomes imbalanced'. A dosha is also a bodily constitution.
Vata dosha is composed of space and air, so a Vata-predominant person is prone to gas, bloating, constipation, difficulty putting on weight, dry flaky skin, cold hands and feet, lots of quick movements, fluctuations in behaviour from one extreme to another, inspiration, quick to answer but just as quick to forget, extremes in height (very tall or very short) and other characteristics. Vatas benefit from routine and warm, soothing, lubricating foods.
Pitta types, ruled by fire and water, have the best digestion because they are ruled by transformation: i.e., food to cellular nutrients. They have sharp, clear, articulate speech; sharp, focused minds; they are hard workers with delicate, heat-sensitive bodies (sometimes prone to 'burn-out'); they tend towards inflammation, rashes or acne, early baldness or graying of the hair, oily skin, higher amounts of perspiration, and a tendency towards jealousy, anger, competition and enthusiasm. They make organised, efficient leaders. It's hard to find a lawyer or politician who does not have a very healthy dose of Pitta dosha. Pittas benefit from cooling and less oily foods and drinks.
Kapha types are ruled by earth and water. A Kapha individual tends to have lovely, large, soft eyes with thick eyelashes. They might be prone to excess mucus, slow metabolism, weight gain, high cholesterol/blood pressure/triglycerides, excess sleep, edema, lymphatic congestion, colds and mucousy coughs. Kaphas might be a bit greedy or attached and have difficulty letting go or saying goodbye, especially to the bed or couch. They are also loving, compassionate, mellow and generally have stable health and strong bodies. It can take them a bit longer to learn new things but once they learn something, it sticks forever. We all have all three doshas in our bodies, but one or two will dominate, with others being at moderate or low levels.
Ayurveda is about taking responsibility for one's health. It is helpful for all imbalances and illnesses experienced today and is a natural, preventive, holistic compliment to Western medicine. The translation of Ayurveda implies that knowing the body and being able to listen to its needs empowers us to make choices that support our highest good for health, growth and purpose. Balancing the constitution with diet and lifestyle keeps the body, mind and spirit resilient. Going against the body's wisdom causes imbalance or illness. Learning elements of an Ayurvedic lifestyle is the beginning of a healing path, helping the body eliminate toxins that have built up over years. It is an exceptional way of preventing illness. Lifestyle practices include tongue scraping, self-oil massage, breathing techniques for balance, yoga and exercise, meditation, aromatherapy and herbs. Good digestion, absorption and elimination is imperative. Since Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of how we choose, cook and eat our food, it has its own world of beautiful Indian cuisine. Recipes are delicious and medicinal with a myriad of spices to aid digestion and balance. Specific ingredients are recommended for individual constitutions. Principles of an Ayurvedic diet include proper food combining, incorporating the six tastes and spice combinations. Ayurvedic cooking and eating is a fun, dynamic way to experience the profound benefits of this system and begin lifestyle changes.
