Ayurveda

Ayur(Life)-Veda(Science) is a medical science originating and practiced in India over 5,000 years. It emphasizes the balance between body, mind, and spirit to promote overall health and vitality. Through personalized treatments, including herbal remedies, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle adjustments, Ayurveda works to restore harmony and prevent illness.

The Ayurvedic approach is all-encompassing, touching  all dimensions of life, recognizing our interconnectedness with Nature as a reflection of Divine essence.

The goal of Ayurveda is:

  1. Swasta Vritta - to maintain and preserve perfect health and longevity.

  2. Kayachikitsa - to eliminate the imbalance or disease and bring back health.

Ayurveda’s definition of health:

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः।
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते॥

Transliteration:

"Samadoṣaḥ samāgniśca samadhātumala kriyaḥ
prasannātmendriya manaḥ svastha ityabhidhīyate"

Translation:

“Health is the balanced function of the three dosas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), the optimal functioning of the digestive fire (Agni), properly balanced tissues (Dhātus), the efficient elimination of the bodily waste products(Malas), and a state of harmony and contentment in the soul (Atma), senses (Indriyas), mind (Mana)”

Doshas: Understanding Your Unique Constitution

According to Ayurveda, the body and mind are regulated by the three bioenergetic principles, known as doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The Doshas represent a combination of the five great elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and influence our well-being on many levels. Every individual has a unique constitution, which is a combination of the three doshas, and understanding your constitution, as well as any current imbalance, helps to identify particular treatments that will revive balance, health, and vitality.

Here are a few qualities and possible manifestations of the Doshas:

Vata (air and ether):

  • Qualities: dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile

  • Primary functions: all movements in body and mind, circulation, nerve impulses, breathing digestion, flow of thoughts, Vata is the mover of Pitta and Kapha dosha

Balanced Vata: lean, flexible body, high energy, creative, enthusiastic, adaptable, quick thinking

Imbalanced Vata: anxiety, overwhelmed, fearful, unsettled, dryness in body, feeling cold, joint pain, irregular digestion and appetite, restlessness

Pitta ( fire and water):

  • Qualities: hot, sharp, light, oily, intense, penetrating

  • Primary functions: digestion, metabolism, transformation, breaking down food, thoughts and experiences, body temperature, vision, intellect

Balanced Pitta: strong appetite, efficient digestion, warm body, radiant skin, medium muscular build, good stamina, sharp, focused, ambitious, courageous, problem solving, clarity

Imbalanced Pitta: overheating, inflammation, skin rashes, ulcers, loose stools, hair loss, anger irritability, impatience, perfectionism, burnout

Kapha ( earth and water):

  • Qualities: heavy, slow, steady, oily, cold, soft, dense

  • Primary Functions: stability, strength, lubrication, immunity, growth, endurance

Balanced Kapha: sturdy, well built body, smooth skin, thick hair, strong bones, steady energy, calm, grounded, good stamina, patient, compassionate, reliable, nurturing, stability

Imbalanced Kapha: sluggishness, weight gain, congestion, water retention, lethargy, clammy pale skin, slow digestion, dullness, attachment, greed, resistance to change, depression, lack of motivation, stagnation