Ayurveda
Ayurveda, which literally means the knowledge and wisdom of life, is the traditional healing system of India. Often called the mother of all healing, it originated in India over Five thousand years ago. Being a completely holistic healing system Ayurveda treats the whole person and not just the symptoms. It targets the root cause of disease and when that is removed health is restored.
Ayurveda views health and disease as the end result of how we relate to the world, in terms of our beliefs, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. These cognitive and sensual modes ultimately determine our actions. Actions in harmony with our inner nature create health, while those inharmonious with our inner nature create disease. Ayurveda is the science of developing greater harmony with our environment through all of our senses, which are our door ways to the outside world.
Ayurveda assists us in journeying back to optimal health by balancing the five elements in the body and mind through the use of herbs, diet, colors, aromas, lifestyle adjustments, yoga, and meditation. Along with other five-sense, rejuvenative, and cleansing therapies, Ayurveda helps nourish our bodies while calming our minds from the stresses of modern daily life.
Ayurveda holds that we as human beings actually have the inner wisdom of self healing within us, and that by nature we are healthy. This state of being can be attained again by living in tune with nature. Our inner nature is called our constitution or prakruti (mind/body type), and is an individual blend of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The unique balance of these three energies within us was determined at the moment of conception, and remains with us the rest of our lives. This constitution determines what is in harmony with our individual natures, and what will cause us to become out of balance and diseased. Knowledge of our constitution determines how we react to various foods, colors, aromas, and general life habits.
Ayurveda is considered the healing side of Yoga. In turn, Yoga is the spiritual side of Ayurveda. Both Ayurveda and Yoga strive to help a person reconnect to their true nature. Together, they encompass a complete approach to the well being of the body, the mind, and the spirit. It is said that the highest Goal of Ayurveda is to keep people healthy while pursuing their spiritual goals.
The Foundation of Ayurveda
According to Vedic cosmology, the world is made of five elements: Air, Ether, Fire, Water and Earth. These are also the elements of which our bodies are composed. Your constitution (mind/body type) is a fundamental and unique balance of these elements, and is broken down into three basic energies called Doshas. These energies are named Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The balance in each individual is different; hence, each individual has his or her own special set of challenges and gifts. For this reason no two programs are identical, and each person's path toward optimal health is unique.
Vata
The Vata dosha is composed of the air and ether elements. This means that it possesses qualities that are similar to both these elements. Vata is very much like the wind: It is light, cool, dry and mobile. In the body, those people with a Vata nature experience more of these qualities. Their bodies tend to be light, their bones thin, and their skin and hair dry. They often move and speak quickly. When out of balance, they may lose weight, become constipated, and have weakness in their immune and nervous systems.
These same qualities of Vata are also reflected in the personality. Those with a Vata nature tend to be talkative, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, and energetic. Yet when out of balance, they may also become easily confused and overwhelmed, have difficulty focusing or making decisions, and have trouble sleeping. This becomes more apparent when they are under stress. They are challenged by cool emotions like worry, fear and anxiety.
In order to bring Vata into balance, programs are designed that emphasize the opposing qualities of warmth, heaviness (nourishment), moistness and stability. In the diet, this is reflected in the consumption of cooked grains such as rice and cooked vegetables as well as the intake of warm milk with spices. Pungent herbs like ginger that increase internal heat and nourishing herbs like ashwagandha bring balance to Vata.
Pitta
The Pitta dosha is composed of the fire and water elements. Fire is more predominant, and those people with a predominant Pitta nature have many of the qualities of fire within them. Pitta tends to be hot, sharp and penetrating. It is also somewhat volatile and oily. The oily nature of Pitta is related to the secondary component of water. People with a Pitta nature reflect these qualities. They tend to feel warm, have somewhat oily skin, penetrating eyes, and sharp features. They tend to have moderate weight and good musculature. When out of balance, they tend toward diarrhea, infections, skin rashes, and weakness in the liver, spleen, and blood.
These qualities are also reflected in their personalities. Pitta people tend to be highly focused, competitive, capable, courageous, energetic, and clear communicators, who get right to the point. They like to solve problems, and, when under stress, they dig in their heels. However, they can also become overly intense and speak with a sharp tongue. They make great friends but feared enemies. Emotionally, they are challenged by the heated emotions of anger, resentment, and jealousy.
In order to bring balance to Pitta, programs are designed to emphasize the opposing qualities of coolness, heaviness (nourishing) and dryness. Cool spices like fennel are recommended in the diet along with foods such as raw vegetables, cooked rice, wheat, and most beans. Sweet herbs like shatavari are used to nourish the body, while bitters like dandelion root temper the fire.
Kapha
Within the Kapha dosha there is a predominance of the water and earth elements. Like these elements, Kapha tends to be cool, moist, stable, and heavy. In the body these qualities manifest as dense, heavy bones; lustrous, supple skin; low metabolism; and large, stocky frames. In addition, those with a Kapha nature tend to feel cool. When out of balance, Kapha individuals are prone to gaining weight and tend to have weaknesses in their lungs and sinuses — where there is an accumulation of mucous. Those of Kapha nature are also very prone to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
The elements of water and earth are also manifested in the personality. The heavy, stable nature of Kapha is reflected in a steady personality that is not prone to quick fluctuations. Those with a Kapha nature handle stress very well, often not even noticing that it exists. They don't like change, are generally conservative, and would prefer to keep things just the way they are. Those with a Kapha nature are also comfort seekers. This relates to the soft, watery nature of Kapha. Too much comfort, however, can lead to a lack of motivation and a feeling of becoming stuck. When Kapha is out of balance, the heavy emotions of depression and lethargy result.
In order to bring balance to a Kapha nature, the opposing qualities of lightness, dryness, and warmth are recommended. Grains such as quinoa and amaranth are recommended, as well as hot spices like cayenne pepper. Lots of vegetables and very little nuts or dairy are prescribed. Cleansing herbs like guggul, and pungent herbs like clove bring balance to Kapha.
In brief, Ayurveda uses the principal of Curing that like increases like and opposite increases opposite. So by using the opposite qualities in Nature — such as a cold disease with hot foods, herbs, oils, heat producing yoga asanas etc. — healing will take place.