What is Ayurveda?

As explained before Ayurveda believes the five elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth that form everything from the taste of food to the changing seasons, to our unique individual constitution.  The elements combine together to form three different energies called doshas.

 

We all have characteristics of all three doshas VATA, PITTA & KAPHA, however some are more dominant than others. Daily dosha balancing involves all fundamentals of healthy Ayurvedic living, daily routines as dinacharya, tending to your digestion (agni) and caring for your dosha. As we move through life all three doshas fluctuate according to age (kala), diet, season, climate, environment, lifestyle; with many other factors to take into consideration.

​

There are multiple layers to explore, however we will start by looking at diet and lifestyle. A healthy outside always starts from the inside. We are what we eat and we are meant to feel energised and nourished from the food we consume.  Notice how you feel before you eat and how you feel once you have eaten.  If you are intolerant to any food or simply don’t like something, avoid it! Simple really, if you feel heavy or miserable after eating, that particular food is not right for you.  Listen to what your digestive system is telling you. 

 

According to Ayurveda all diseases are caused by an under functioning digestive (agni) system so we need to take care of it.  So much of our existence centres on appetite and digestion…

 

DISCOVER YOUR DOSHA QUIZ

​

For those who are unsure, here is a simple quiz to find your dominant dosha which hopefully will give you an indication of what body type you are.

 

Answer the quiz below according to how you felt and acted most of your life, or at least in the past few years.  Tick which best describes you and if more than one quality is applicable in each characteristic, choose the one that best applies to you right now.

​

EYES

​

1. My eyes are small and active

2. I have a deep and intentional gaze

3. I have large pleasant eyes
    

FRAME

​

1. I am thin, lanky and slender with prominent joints and thin muscles

2. I have a medium symmetrical build with good muscle development

3. I have a broad and full build
    

WEIGHT

​

1. I am light for my height and don’t gain weight easily

2. It is easy for me to gain or lose weight if I put my mind to it

3. I gain weight easily and have difficulty losing it
    

APPETITE

​

1. Irregular

2. Strong, unbearable

3. Slow and steady
    

DIGESTION

​

1. Irregular and easily form gas

2. Quick and prone to heartburn

3. Prolonged, forms mucous

​

HAIR

​

1. My hair is dry, brittle or frizzy

2. My hair is fine with a tendency towards early thinning or greying

3. I have abundant, thick and oily hair
    

COMPLEXION
 

1. My skin is dry and rough

2. My skin is prone to irritation

3. My skin is thick, moist and smooth
    

JOINTS
 

1. My joints are thin and prominent and have a tendency to crack

2. My joints are loose and flexible

3. My joints are large, well-knit and padded
    

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
 

1. Hyperactive

2. Moderate

3. Slow
    

BODY TEMPERATURE
 

1. My hands and feet are usually cold and I prefer warm environments

2. I am usually war, regardless of the season and prefer cooler environments

3. I am adaptable to most temperatures but do not like cold wet days
    

SLEEP PATTERN
 

1. I am a light sleeper with a tendency to awaken easily

2. I am a moderately sound sleeper usually needing less than eight hours to feel rested

3. My sleep is deep and long. I tend to awaken slowly in the morning
    

TEMPERAMENT
 

1. I am lively and enthusiastic by nature. I like to change

2. I am purposeful and intense. I like to convince

3. I am easy going and accepting. I like to support
    

UNDER STRESS
 

1. I become anxious and/or worries

2. I become irritable and/or aggressive

3. I become withdrawn and/or reclusive

 

Add up your score…  your dosha type will be determined by the majority of (a, b, or cs). A = VATA, B = PITTA, C = KAPHA
 

 You will of course be a mix of all three, but one dosha should stand out more than the others.  

If you have equal parts for two dosha that means you are a double-dosha.  Two dosha presenting themselves strongly in your constitution means you have qualities of both.   

 

 

ACHIEVING BALANCE BY DOSHAS
 

VATA

Common causes of imbalance in Vata is due to insufficient sleep, fear, grief, worry, stress, travel, excessive exercise, sex and mental activity.  Irregular daily routines, injuries, surgery, childbirth, old age, season, incorrect food and/or insufficient food.

​

Pacifying Vata: Incorporate foods of freshly cooked whole foods that are nourishing, rich in protein and fat and seasoned with spices and preferably served warm. These foods calm Vata by lubricating and nourishing tissues, maintaining warmth and preserving moisture.  Golden rule for Vata, if its sweet, nourishing, easily digested and preferably warm you can’t go wrong.

Vata-pacifying foods: avocado, berries, sweet potato, red lentils, beetroot, wild rice, dates, peach, watercress and pistachios.  Try to eat seasonally and lean towards warm rather than cold foods and let chai be your morning drink.

​

Lifestyle: Anything that brings stability and grounding will be helpful when Vata energy takes over. Vata need to slow down and be more structured.  Create a disciplined routine each morning (Dinacharya) with self-care and intention.  Spontaneity can throw you off course so try and stick to a good routine while setting boundaries and indulge in a little pampering.  Keep exercises both gentle and regulated. Meditation and yoga are grounding and highly recommended for Vata types.

​

How to balance: Vata represents movement so when out balance problems in mind and body related to irregular movement such as poor appetite, constipation, insomnia and poor circulation.  Vata constitution need framework of a regular routine to remain stable and grounded.  Vata are very creative so variety is the key.

 

PITTA

​

Common causes of imbalance in Pitta is due to over exertion, over worked, excessive talking, anger, hatred, jealousy, passion, irregular meals, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, heat, middle age and unable to rest. 

​

Balancing Pitta can be a challenge but can easily be rectified as they are usually focused and pragmatic types who stay healthy by following the basic of rules; eat the right foods and 3 regular meals daily and never ever miss a meal if you can help it.  Pitta have strong appetites and efficient digestion however they can easily overeat.

​

Favour sweet, bitter and astringent tastes which are cooling and refreshing.  Pitta and coffee don’t mix well due to the acidic heat of coffee (heartburn) so avoid if possible. Vegetables are your friend as you can easily digest raw veges where others can’t. Pitta have strong digestion and eating regularly is the key. Avoid processed foods, junk foods, cheese, yoghurt, alcohol, hot spices red meat and fried foods. 

​

Pitta need moderation in everything, avoid extremes and they need to calm their nervous system.  Pitta tend to be busy people, high achievers and always on the move. Perfectionists at heart they tend to push themselves a little too hard at times and need to enjoy the journey not just the destination.  The opposite to Vata, Pitta types need to loosen up and take the time to smell the roses.

​

How to balance: Pitta represents metabolism and transformation.  When a Pitta is out of balance, they experience excessive heat and acidity in mind and body such as, acid reflux, anger, fever and skin disorders/rashes.  While Pitta are industrious with a competitive nature, they are prone to over-do it and need to practice moderation.

 

KAPHA
 

Common causes of imbalance in Kapha are excessive sleep, lack of exercise, lack of mental activity, over-eating, eating the wrong foods and cool damp climates.

​

Incorporate Kapha pacifying foods by minimizing diary and carbs such as wheat, pasta and rice and avoid oily foods. Try lighter foods and warming spices as ginger, cinnamon and black pepper.  Avoid sweeteners at all costs other than raw honey in foods and tea.  Kapha-pacifying foods: okra, pepper, berries, black beans, sprouts, wild rice, pumpkin seeds, spinach, cherries, lemons and limes. Indulge your sensual nourishing Kapha nature with delicious home-cooked meals.  Spice generously.

​

Rise early each day and enjoy a morning routine (Dinacharya) dry brushing and self-massage before showering to stimulate the lymphatic system. When Kapha are out of rhythm some serious self-care and discipline is called for.  Kaphas tend to have heavier earthier bodies than other types and tend to store fluids and fat more easily. Daily exercise to keep moving is imperative and push hard as Kapha can endure stronger and longer exercise than most. Meditation, yoga and breath work are essential for those with imbalance.  Less structure and more spontaneity wouldn’t go a miss either.

​

How to balance: Kapha represents structure, by nature they are slow and resistant to change.  When out of balance Kapha causes problems in the mind and body related to accumulation and stagnation such as obesity, respiratory conditions and slow digestion.  If this goes unchecked it can lead to depression.  Kapha types need mental stimulation and physical activity to stay in balance.

 

LIKE INCREASES LIKE - OPPOSITES BALANCE
 

We learn how our dosha goes in and out of balance often and what to do when we are out of balance.  Listen to your body above anyone else, you know your body and your body knows you.  When the doshas are balanced we are healthy and when they are unbalanced, we develop disease. We need to make conscious lifestyle and dietary decisions that nurture balance within ourselves.  
 

Ayurveda teaches us the importance of “like increases like” and “the opposites balance”. For example, let’s say your dosha is aggravated due to excess Kapha.  Signs and symptoms of Kapha imbalance are expressed as lethargy, excess mucus, congestion, sluggish bowel movements, lack of exercise and over eating to name just a few.  
 

To reduce or pacify excess Kapha start with opposites to evoke changes: avoid stagnation, daily energetic routines, stimulate your mind and body, practise dinacharya, vigorous exercise, keep warm and dry no matter what the weather, enjoy warm foods, avoid heavy and oily foods, regular routine meal times and eat freshly cooked whole foods. 
 

Trying to correct an imbalance we can apply the energy of opposites in order to steer the body in the right direction. When we know which particular qualities are aggravated, we can be even more precise in our approach to introduce the opposite qualities. If you want to see change, be the change you want to see. 

 

 

‘Even food which is the life of living creatures, if taken in an improper manner destroys life’

- CHARAKA SAMHITA