Ayurveda For A Healthy Lifestyle
WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
What you need to know to decode your health
This article is for those of you wondering what Ayurveda is and how it can bring you to a place of health,
help with many chronic diseases, facilitate a positive state of mind, encourage better digestion, and feel
great overall so that you radiate peace, beauty, and ease. This is meant to bring you a basic understanding of ayurveda philosophy after which I encourage you to try taking a DoSha quiz
found on many websites I like Dr. blossom and Banyan Botanicals.
Ayurveda, literally “Life Science”, is an ancient medicinal science originating in
India that uses diet, lifestyle and herbal medicine to promote health and
integration of body, mind and spirit. Though based on writings thousands of years
old, the wisdom of Ayurveda remains applicable to today because what it’s based on
is very much the same: nature and it’s relationship to the human body and mind. When
we better understand our own unique tendencies towards balance and imbalance, we
learn what diet & lifestyle (food, exercise, routine, occupation) best brings us
into a harmonious state of health and peaceful happiness. Ayurveda recognizes the
unique nature of the individual in body and mind and consequently offers
recommendations that suit an individual’s place on their life’s journey. Even the
busiest person in the world can incorporate some simple Ayurvedic techniques to
improve their health because this system is so full of beautiful adaptable
offerings!
lotus flower
Ayurveda is the sister science of Yoga. Yoga being a way of life that incorporates
movement of the body that stretches, strengthens, relaxes, balances, the body by
doing movements in a sequence that works the entire skeleton and soft tissues that
keeps the physical body working well. yoga incorporated proper breathing techniques,
and some meditation techniques that leave a person coming on a regular basis feeling
” simply marvelous”
Combining these 2 alternative methods of self care will help keep you healthy and
keep your health care costs down.
LEARN ABOUT THE 3 BASIC AYURVEDIC TYPES or Doshas!
Ayurveda views the body, like all things in nature, as made up of five elements
(space, air, fire, water, earth). These elements function in the body as pairs to
form the three biological humors called the doshas. The three doshas are Vata (the
wind dosha), Pitta (the fire dosha) and Kapha (the earth dosha). Each dosha serves a
vital role in the body, and no one can exist without all three. The doshas are not
tangible things; they are dynamic forces that constantly change within us.
While an individual needs all three doshas to survive, it is the ratio of doshas within
us that creates our unique bodies, minds, and personalities. Upon conception, your
unique formula of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha combination was determined (kind of like
your genes); This is called your Basic Dosha Type or Constitution (Prakruti) and
never changes. While some possess equal amounts of all three doshas, most are
predominantly one or two.
When the doshas at present match your constitution, you are healthy and happy,
abiding in your true nature. When the doshas are imbalanced and do not align with
your constitution (usually due to stress, poor diet or lifestyle, or trauma), you
have Imbalance (Vikruti) and suffer from dis-ease in body, mind and/or spirit.
By understanding the doshas, our constitutions, and imbalances, we can learn what
diet & lifestyle (food, exercise, routine, occupation) are most useful in keeping
our metabolisms balanced, immune systems strong, intellect sharp, mind peaceful, and
hearts open.
The three main constitutions that make up our doshas in ayurveda.
VATA DOSHA: “the wind dosha”
“king of the doshas”
Energy: Movement
Elements: Space + Air
Qualities: cold, dry, light, mobile, rough
Balanced: “light up the room”, slender, short or tall, small eyes, supple skin,
sound sleep, bowels are daily & well formed, mind is grounded, energy is steady,
circulation is strong, healthy sexual appetite, creative, artistic, adaptable,
emotionally sensitive, enthusiastic, imaginative, perceptive, spiritually inclined,
spontaneous, charismatic, multifaceted in interests & abilities.
Out of Balance: underweight or weight gain around belly, chronic pain, constipation,
gas & bloating, fear/anxiety/depression, fatigue, insomnia, dry skin, premature
aging, low libido, intolerance of coldness, emotionally delicate, “spacey”,
disorganized, lack confidence, moody or emotionally volatile, poor memory
Recommendations for Vata Dosha Imbalance: grounding and warming. healthy routines
including meal times, self-massage with warm oil, meditation and pranayama, leg
strengthening yoga postures, more healthy oils in their diet, cooked vegetables,
nuts, milk and grains.
PITTA DOSHA: “the fire dosha”
Energy: Transformation
Elements: Fire + Water
Qualities: hot, oily, liquid, sharp, mobile
Balanced: compassionate leaders & motivators, medium athletic build, rosy radiant
skin, strong balanced digestion, highly intelligent, confident, courageous,
determined & ambitious, appreciates downtime, funny, compassionate, high achievers,
joyful, natural leaders, emotionally observant, articulate, sharp memory, perform
well under pressure, organized, good focus, strong sense of discernment.
Out of Balance: disorders of the stomach and small intestine, hot flashes,
hyperacidity, skin rashes & psoriasis, ulcers, inflammation, heartburn, diarrhea,
liver disorders, sore throats & tonsillitis, excess hunger & thirst, bad breath, eye
disorders, intolerance to heat in food or environment, overly intense, arrogant,
jealous, hot-headed, loud & aggressive, controlling of others, overly competitive,
egotistical, critical & judgmental, suppressive of emotion, demeaning to others.
Recommendations for Pitta Dosha Imbalance: cooling, calming, moderation. moderation
in all areas of life. practices that build compassion like meditation or
volunteering. cooling breathing practices, gentle twisting yoga postures, a mix of
fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and beans. avoid caffeine, sugar,
alcohol, and spicy, fried, or salty food.
ayruvedic body types photo
KAPHA DOSHA: “the earth dosha”
Energy: Construction
Elements: Earth + Water
Qualities: cool, heavy, static, oily, wet
Balanced: “the caregivers”, luscious skin, eyes like “pools of love”, graceful
stride & movements, compassionate, forgiving, gentle, emotionally stable, loving,
loyal, nurturing, accepting of others, strong stamina & endurance, romantic,
homebodies (love to feed & entertain), sensual, community oriented, good listeners,
strong long-term memory, deeply satisfied with life.
Out of Balance: obesity, diabetes, lymphatic system disorders, excessive sleeping,
water retention/bloating, excess phlegm & mucous conditions, asthma, low thyroid
function, heart disease, greedy, set in their ways, hoarding material things, unable
to say no, easily taken advantage of, fearful of letting go, overly passive,
lethargic, give up easily, slow to understand things, depressed for long periods of
time, introverted, complacent.
Recommendations for Kapha Dosha Imbalance: drying, stimulating, expression. avoid a
leisurely lifestyle; wake early and avoid naps. avoid eating when bored, upset or
not truly hungry. exercise to provoke sweating without disrupting the smooth flow of
breath. avoid eating oily heavy foods, highly processed foods, red meat, sweets,
frozen meals. enjoy fresh, warm, light cooked meals.
Keep an eye out for more on Ayurveda For A Healthy Lifestyle. Next month Mary will focus on internal spring cleaning of the body, mind, & spirit from and ayurvedic perspective!
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