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About Ayurveda...
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that can be broken down to its roots to understand its meaning. The word ayur means life and longevity; the word veda means pure knowledge. In fact, the Vedas are volumes of sacred texts almost 3000 years old in which many different teachings finally moved from the oral tradition to the written, including Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old science, which had its birth in India. It is believed by many to be the oldest healing science still known to man. It covers every aspect of the human mind, body, and spirit, with its focus on happy, healthy longevity. From when to wake up, all the way to how to take care of your skin, it is all included in the teachings of Ayurveda the knowledge of life.
In the Beginning... Five Element Theory
To understand Ayurveda, one must first know that its foundation lies in the three forces: Creation, Change, and Destruction (sattva, rajas, and tamas in Sanskrit.) These three forces are called gunas. One guna cannot be without the others, everything that exists goes through these stages. When the gunas interact with one another, the result is the five elements: Ether (space), Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Everything we see, touch, think, and experience has some combination of these elements within. Each element carries specific attributes that make it unique. In life, none of the five elements ever exists alone as each successive element is born from the one before it. Think of Ether as the vastness of the cosmos. This space is the home for all objects in the universe, namely energy. When sattva, rajas, and tamas take a hold of this universal energy in space, the result is air, the first state of matter. When air shifts through the three stages, it starts to move around, causing friction. This action produces heat and light and fire is born. As this pattern continues, fire liquefies matter and a new cycle starts as water comes forth. As the water goes through its stage of destruction, it evaporates, and earth solidifies from what is left behind. Then the process starts over again, and it is happening all around us all the time.
It Comes Together... The Three Doshas
As was mentioned above, the five elements are rarely independent of one or another. In fact, so often are they found in certain combinations that these groupings have been given names. Ayurveda calls them the three doshas. Dosha literally means impurity, as in two elements mixed together. These combinations are as follows: Ether + Air = vata, Fire + Water = pitta, Water + Earth = kapha. In the more common sense, dosha refers to a quality in a person, place, or thing. These qualities come from the attributes of the elements themselves. For example if a person has a vata quality, they may be cold (space) and very mobile (air.) The following chart lists the attributes of the elements, and in turn, the doshas. A reminder to readers that water is an element that appears in both pitta and kapha dosha.
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Ether |
Air |
Fire |
Water |
Earth |
|
Dry |
Rough |
Light |
Fluid |
Moist |
|
Light |
Mobile |
Sharp |
Flexible |
Dense |
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Vast |
Cold |
Hot |
Soft |
Heavy |
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Cold |
Dry |
Slightly Oily |
Moist |
Oily |
|
Transparent |
Thin |
Penetrating |
Heavy |
Cold |
What's My Type: Prakruti Explained
The idea of attributes pertaining to elements may seem on the surface to be a bit abstract. On closer examination however, it makes complete sense. When applied to a person, place, or thing, these attributes come to life. Everyone knows that wind is mobile, cold, and drying. Therefore, it is easy to draw the conclusion that wind is Vata. The same would apply to a person who cannot sit still, is always cold, and has chronically dry skin. Every person on this planet has some amount of each element inside of them, and therefore we all have some vata, pitta, and kapha. What makes a person unique is the amount of each element they have. A person is never just pitta, but may be predominantly pitta, with vata secondary and kapha bringing up the tail end.
Vata
Ever described someone as a "whirlwind"? More than likely, the person being referred to is predominantly vata. A vata person usually has a light frame, is often either very tall or very short, and has black, dry, frizzy hair. Their skin is dry, cold to the touch and is not smooth. They are prone to premature wrinkling, especially since they are sun worshippers and tend to be the ones with the darkest tan on the beach. Their dark eyes and lips are dry and small. They have a meager appetite along with an irregular diet and lifestyle. They are very creative and often very spiritual. They are quite accommodating to the needs of others and very generous with their time, money, and anything else they can offer. When they are stressed out, fear and nervousness occur. When the Ether and Air elements are out of balance the skin shows signs of dehydration, flakiness, and wrinkles. In the body, one will experience joint pain, chills, gas, constipation, and lower back pain. The mind will be restless with anxiety, worry, and lack of focus. Many different factors disturb vata including stress, excess activity such as aerobics or constant travel, improper diet, the season of autumn, and especially an irregular routine.
Suggestions for a balanced lifestyle:
- Meditate
- Warm water baths and steam baths
- Low impact exercise and gentle yoga asanas (postures)
- Eat a vata pacifying diet including sweet, sour, salty, and pungent foods. Limit bitter and astringent foods.
- Sesame oil self massage nightly
- Observe a regular routine every day
Food Guidelines for a Vata pacifying diet:
- Fruit: Sweet fruits including bananas, avocado, berries, kiwi, mangos, peaches, and all citrus fruits are most favorable.
- Vegetables: Cooked vegetables such as asparagus, beets, carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes are best. Avoid raw vegetables as in a salad.
- Grains: Rice, cooked oats, and wheat keep vata in balance. Avoid barley, corn, and refined grains.
- Legumes: In general, beans aggravate vata because of their dry, gas provoking quality. Limit intake of all beans except mung beans.
- Dairy: Most dairies are acceptable, but avoid yogurt
- Spices: All spices are good!
Pitta
Everybody knows someone who has a real fiery attitude. This description perfectly fits a pitta predominant person. Pitta people have medium builds and tend to be on the muscular side. They have red, blond, or brown hair, and they are usually the first ones to die their hair red! They have combination skin with sensitivities to various allergens, and are most sensitive to the sun. Their eyes are lighter colors such as blue, green, and hazel, and both their eyes and lips are of medium proportion. Pitta has a voracious appetite, and if left without food can get grumpy rather quickly. They are the intellectuals, always thinking things out, asking many questions, and dishing out orders. In stressful situations like high traffic, they get frustrated easily, honking their horn and yelling at other drivers. Pitta people are competitive, ambitious, and relentless. When pitta is out of balance, the skin will react with sensitivity, blotchy redness, and dry patches. Acne or eczema may also develop. In the body, one will experience inflammation, excess heat, high blood pressure, and insatiable hunger. The mind will be jealous, angry, and frustrated. A few of the things that cause fire and water elements to get out of balance are stress, over working, excess mental activity, improper diet, hot sunny weather, and the summer season.
Suggestions for a balanced lifestyle:
- Meditate
- Breathing exercises
- Gentle yoga asanas, walks in nature
- Eat a Pitta pacifying diet including sweet, bitter, salty, and astringent foods. Limit sour and pungent foods.
- Nightly self massage with sunflower or coconut oil
- Scalp massage with brahmi oil
Food Guidelines for a Pitta pacifying diet:
- Fruit: Sweet fruits including avocado, berries, all melons, mangos, pears, sweet apples, oranges, and pomegranate are best.
- Vegetables: Sweet and bitter vegetables such as asparagus, artichoke, broccoli, leafy greens, celery, mushrooms, peas, and squash are acceptable. Avoid chilies, onions, and mustard greens.
- Grains: Barley, couscous, white rice, and wheat are most favorable. Avoid millet, corn, quinoa, and rye.
- Legumes: In general, most beans are good. Avoid fermented beans like tempeh, miso, and soy sauce.
- Dairy: Most dairies are ok, except aged cheese, sour cream, and yogurt
- Spices: Cooling spices such as fresh basil, coriander, cumin, fennel, fresh ginger, mint, and saffron. Avoid mustard, pepper, and salt.
Kapha
When a person has both feet on the ground or is down to earth, their primary dosha is probably kapha. A kapha person has a thicker build and tends to put on weight easily. They have a curvy body and are often slightly taller than average. Their hair is dark, and thick with lustrous waves. Their skin is soft, oily, and cold to the touch. Their dark eyes are large and bright and their teeth and lips are prominent as well. Kapha people have an average appetite, but tend to eat when not hungry adding to their weight issues. They are usually very jovial and easy going, and are very good with money. When the Water and Earth elements are out of balance, it will manifest on the skin as excessive oiliness, blackheads, and acne. In the body, one will experience weight gain, congestion, and a dull sleepy feeling. The mind will have depression, greed, and attachment. Some of the causes of a kapha imbalance consist of not enough activity or exercise, improper diet, cold winter weather, and seclusion.
Suggestions for a balanced lifestyle:
- Lots of exercise
- Warm dry saunas and hot teas
- Social activities
- Eat a light Kapha pacifying diet including bitter, sour, astringent, and pungent foods. Limit sweet and salty foods.
- Daily dry brushing with a natural bristle bath brush
Food Guidelines for a Kapha pacifying diet:
- Fruit: Astringent fruit including apricot, cranberry, pear, apple, raisin, and pomegranate are best.
- Vegetables: All vegetables, except cucumber, pumpkin, sweet potato, raw tomatoes, and zucchini are good.
- Grains: Barley, corn, couscous, millet, and rye are acceptable. Avoid oats, rice, and wheat.
- Legumes: Most beans are good, but avoid cold soy products and kidney beans.
- Dairy: Dairy should be limited, but Kapha may use goat dairy products and yogurt
- Spices: All spices are good, but avoid salt.
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