What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that translates as “The Science of Life.” Ayurs translates as “life” and veda as “knowledge” or “science.” It is the worlds oldest holistic health care system, dating back at least 5,000 years. Ayurveda embraces the union of body, mind, senses and the soul. Its wisdom is universal, transcending race, religion, region and belief systems. The practices of Ayurveda are not dependent upon the country of it’s origin, but rather by the context in which it is used. The primary focus of Ayurveda is the maintenance of optimum health, the prevention illness, and aligning the body and mind with the rhythms of nature, so that we may realize our full potential in this lifetime.

Ayurveda is unique in that it takes the individual into account, rather than simply diagnosing disease and illness based on symptoms. Self awareness is the essence of Ayurveda and the foundation for good  health. The foundation of Ayurveda is in the understanding that our behavior is our most potent tonic. Specific principles in diet and nutrition, daily routines, exercises and techniques are utilized to stabilize the body & mind. Many of the remedies for common ailments can be simply and quickly prepared in your own ‘kitchen pharmacy’ with widely available foods, spices and herbs.

Ayurveda is based on the five element theory. The foundation for the entire cosmos is seen as an interplay of the energies of  Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. All organic and non organic substances are made up of some combination of these five elements. The body’s constitution, referred to in Ayurveda as one’s ‘dosha’, is an individual’s inherent physical and mental nature. Each persons constitution is a unique combination of the five elements, with some elements more predominant than others.Vata is composed of ether and air, Pitta is fire and water and Kapha is earth and water.  A fundamental principle in Ayurveda is that an imbalance of the elements in the body creates an energetic imbalance in the body. If the imbalance is not addressed it can lead to illness or disease. Often a change in diet and lifestyle, which in essence is removing causative factors, is all that is needed to bring the body and mind back into its natural state of harmony.

The five element theory explains why the foods that we eat are medicine, nourishment or toxic for the body. The elemental make-up of food effects the elemental make-up of the body. By following Ayurvedic guidelines of ‘like increases like’ and ‘opposites balance’ we can make choices that support our intrinsic nature. Living in harmony with nature and according to nature’s rhythms is the prescription for a healthy mind and body.

The Doshas

Vata translates as ‘wind’ and is responsible for movement in the body and the mind. Like the wind, the qualities of Vata are dry, light, rough mobile, cool and subtle. The primary location of Vata is the colon. It also resides in the bladder, thighs, ears, bones, joints and nerves.Vata governs breathing, assimilation of food, movement in the muscles and the tissues, elimination,
menstruation, circulation and talking. In balance, Vata promotes creativity, flexibility, enthusiasm and quickness of thought.When out of balance,Vata promotes fear, anxiety, fatigue, constipation, dryness, insomnia and intolerance to cold.

General guidelines for balancing Vata:

Pitta translates as ‘that which cooks’ and is associated with the body’s metabolic system and the energy of transformation. Pitta is responsible for mental and physical digestion. Like fire & water, the qualities of Pitta are hot, oily, sharp, light, fluid, acidic and spreading. The primary location of Pitta is the small intestine. It also resides in the liver, blood, gall bladder, stomach, eyes and sweat. Pitta governs mental and physical digestion, metabolism, body temperature, endocrine function and sight. In balance, Pitta promotes courage, focus, intellect, joy and willpower.  When out of balance, Pitta arouses anger, jealousy and hatred. It manifests in the body as infections, inflammation, fever, heartburn, acidity, skin disorders and intolerance to heat.


General guidelines for balancing Pitta


Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure. It is responsible for building of tissue and lubrication of the body and mind. Like water & earth, the qualities of Kapha are moist, cool, heavy, dull, soft, sticky and stable. The primary locations of Kapha in the body are the chest, throat, lungs, head, lymph, fatty tissue, ligaments and tendons. Kapha lubricates the joints, supplies water in the body and maintains immunity. In balance, Kapha promotes love, compassion, nurturing, stability
and patience. When out of balance, Kapha expresses itself as greed, attachment, envy, depression,inertia, lung disease, sinus issues, excess weight, high cholesterol, tumors, and edema.

General guidelines for balancing Kapha