What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic health and medical systems, originating in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda precedes yoga (as a science & philosophy), tantra (yogic practices or tools) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in its understanding of the 5 elements (earth, water, fire, air & space) and their effects on each ‘self’ & how we interact in, and with the environment.
Dosha
Each person has a unique constitution made up of different elemental combinations, known as dosha. Pitta, Vata & Kapha dosha have distinct physical, psychological, and spiritual qualities that are believed to be responsible for a person’s physiological, mental, and emotional health.
Dosha balance, and imbalance, fluctuate in small degrees with the time of day, seasons, and life stages (think sluggish teenagers in the mornings, career driven 30 somethings burning the candle at both ends, the discernment that accompanies 50s & 60s, and the slower pace of our later years). The balance of elements also changes according to what we do, who we spend time with, what we eat, how we digest, and how we sleep. Yet there are certain fundamental characteristics and ways of being that are simply us – who we are, how we are made, and that we cannot change.
We each have every element within our unique constitution, yet most individuals are dominant in one, or two dosha (and their elemental qualities).
Kapha
Kapha dosha is comprised largely of earth and water elements.
Earth (Prithvi) and water (Jala) are steady, stable, heavy, slow, cold, and soft.
Kapha dominant people are often strong, heavier-built, slower-paced, deliberate in their actions…though slow to make decisions, easy-going, reliable, consistent, caring, patient and dependable as a support for others.
They rarely get upset, are thoughtful, trusting, loving, romantic and content to go with the flow to maintain balance & calm.
Jala & Prithvi qualities are calming, grounding & centring…yet their slowness and consistency can frustrate others and lead to weakness or dis-ease when their presence or influence is excessive:
- Slow metabolism
- Weight gain
- Sluggishness
- Tendency to oversleep
- Breathing issues – allergies, asthma, mucous, coughs & colds
- Higher risk of heart disease
- Fluid retention
- Lack of motivation
- Susceptible to depression
Imagine earth and water mixed together…they create sludge when present in excess, negatively affecting the health and wellbeing of Kapha dominant people.
There are ways to first recognise Kapha presence, identify when its qualities are in excess in our ‘selves’ and our environment (creating dis-ease), and instigate strategies to pacify excess – regaining health.
Pitta
Pitta dosha is characterised by fire and water qualities that dictate much of the personality, body type, and mind-body health of pitta dominant people.
Pitta people are often determined, tenacious, intelligent, physically and mentally strong, athletic, muscular, and have strong metabolism, circulation, hair and skin. Intelligent and quick in nature they learn quickly, easily master skills, are motivated, have a strong desire for success, and are natural leaders.
Agni (fire) & Jala (water) qualities are hot, mobile, sharp and quick…yet their determination, competitiveness and firey reactivity can intimidate others and lead to aggression and dis-ease when their presence or influence is excessive:
- Inflammation
- Hunger
- Indigestion
- Mood swings…especially when hanger hits!
- Impatience
- Conflict
- Acne & skin rashes
- Heat sensitivity
- Work dominated lifestyle & reward system
Fire & water qualities create energy and transformation…their extremes can negatively affect the health and wellbeing of Pitta dominant people when present in excess.
There are ways to recognise Pitta presence, identify when its qualities are in excess in our ‘selves’, our activities, and the environment (creating dis-ease), and instigate strategies to pacify excess – regaining health.
Vata
People with dominance in Vata dosha have distinct physical, psychological, and spiritual qualities that influence their personality, body type, physiological, mental, and emotional health.
Vata dominant people have the qualities of air (Vayu) and ether / space (Akash) and are often slim, wake early, creative, energetic, have changeable mood & are reactive to the weather, people around them, the activities they do, and foods they eat.
They learn quickly, are good at multi-tasking, think outside the box, have creative ability, are kind-hearted, flexible, and naturally slim.
Vayu & Akash qualities are energetic, inspiring, spacious and flowing…yet their changeability and reactivity can frustrate others and lead to sensitivity and dis-ease when their presence or influence is excessive:
- Anxiety
- Overwhelm
- Forgetfulness
- Sensitivity
- Irregular appetite
- Digestive issues
- Bloating
- Poor circulation
- Cold sensitivity
Air and space create endless possibilities…yet few boundaries, and irregularity when present in excess, negatively affecting the health and well-being of Vata dominant people.
There are ways to first recognise Vata presence, identify when its qualities are in excess in our ‘selves’ and our environment (creating dis-ease), and instigate strategies to pacify excess – regaining health.
Tri-dosha
Occasionally some people have a relatively even balance in dosha scores & would be referred to as tri-doshic. Here there can be presence of earthy steadiness, creativity, determination, weight and motivational fluctuation. Sometimes this means the best of each elemental quality…but also subtle imbalances that may contribute to overall health and wellbeing.
FINDING YOUR DOSHA TYPE
There are many Ayurvedic dosha quizzes that can, at a relatively superficial level, reveal the balance of elements in your constitution, at this time in your life. They generally illustrate your dosha balance by way of a numerical score for each dosha – revealing your balance. Whilst some of us are highly dominant in one dosha, others have two dosha with close representation e.g. pitta-vata.
There are also a few Ayurvedic practitioners (doctors of Ayurvedic medicine) who, in addition to asking questions, will evaluate pulses to determine dosha presence and imbalance as a base from which to prescribe lifestyle adaptations (food, activity, exercise, rest, pranayama – breathwork, meditation) and Ayurvedic herbal medicines and treatments to correct dosha excess and deficit if required.
Why is it important?
Adopting dosha-specific health practices leads to elemental balance and wellbeing as we learn to use its principles to guide our own nutritional, physical and emotional needs, recognise when we are out of balance, and seek self-care remedies to regain balance and optimal health.
If you’d like to learn more about bringing Ayurveda into your life, an Ayurvedic assessment, lifestyle and diet consultation is a great way to get to know yourself in a whole new way. Assessments can include:
- Dosha assessment
- Dietary recommendations
- Sleep and rest guidance
- Breathwork practice
- Movement plan / personal practice
- Ayurvedic head, hand, foot treatments
- Referral to an Ayurvedic practitioner
Get in touch, or simply click here to book
Click here for The 6 tastes of Ayurveda & how they can influence health
