A Very Brief Introduction to Ayurveda
By Bonnie Williams Ambrosi,
Certified Ayurvedic Health Educator
Ayurveda -- literally "the science of life" -- is an ancient system of wellness from India that relies primarily on diet and lifestyle to create and maintain health.
This approach to wellness is based on the understanding that we are not separate from Nature, but are an integral part of it. Ayurveda conceives of all Nature as composed of one or more of five great elements--earth, water, fire, air, and ether -- each with its characteristic qualities. The ancient rishis, or seers, who developed the science of Ayurveda, observed that these five elements come together in Nature, and in the human body, in three basic combinations. These "doshas" are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Although the doshas inhere in all of Nature, they are typically used to describe individual physical constitutions, as each dosha creates specific, observable physical traits. Each body is a unique combination of elements, and for each of us the healthful balance will also be unique. The doshas are simply a shorthand way of discovering and studying the elements within us.
The element of air contained in ether, or space, is called Vata. In nature, we see Vata as the force of movement. In the body, Vata is our breath and the space within our bodies and minds. Vata is cold, dry, light, and rough, with quick movement. A person with a predominantly Vata constitution will tend to be thin and sensistive to cold and dry conditions. Signs of excess Vata include spaciness, agitation, muscular tics, gas, dry skin, cold hands and feet, and insomnia. In distress, the Vata response is typically fear and anxiety.
The element of fire contained in water is called Pitta. Our bodies cannot hold fire directly, so it is contained in the digestive juices and the blood. The work of Pitta is transformation, digestion, and perception. Pitta is hot, moist, light, and sharp, with flowing movement. A predominantly Pitta person will tend to have a medium build and oftentimes a ruddy complexion and many moles or freckles. The fire element shows in a fiery temper and sensitivity to heat. Signs of a Pitta imbalance are a short fuse, "hot" conditions such as flushing, rashes, fevers, inflammations, and nosebleeds. In distress, the typical Pitta response is anger.
The element of water contained in earth is called Kapha. Kapha's work is nourishment, substance and support. It is the body's bulk, its tissues--we are formed mostly of water. Kapha is cold, moist, heavy, soft, and slow. A predominantly Kapha person will tend to be heavy-set, slow and gentle in movement, with a soft, low voice. Signs of excess Kapha include clammy skin, nausea and bloating, inertia, and a sense of "stuckness." In distress, the typical Kapha response is depression.
The doshas ebb and flow in natural rhythms. Vata is strongest at times of transition -- spring and fall, dawn and dusk -- it is the dosha of old age. When your emotions match the wind speed on a gusty day, or you find yourself wide awake at 4 AM, you are feeling the effects of Vata dosha. To bring excess Vata back into balance, take gentle exercise -- i.e. don't work out to the point of exhaustion; avoid overstimulating the senses with loud music, flashing lights, movies, and tv; use pastel colors; choose calm, quiet spare-time pursuits. Having a regular daily routine is helpful. Vata is calmed by warm, moist, earthy foods such as ripe fruit (avoid raw apples and dried fruit), cooked vegetables (avoid raw onions and cabbage), cooked whole grains (avoid chips and dry granola), tofu, nuts and seeds, dairy (except ice cream), hot spices, and natural sweeteners in moderation. Abstain from caffeine.
If your constitution is largely Pitta, you may be most aware of it in the heat of summer and at noon and midnight. In a general way, Pitta also predominates in our active, adult years. If you find yourself easily annoyed and irritable, or often awaken hot and sweaty around midnight, that's too much Pitta. To relieve Pitta, use cool, soft colors, especially blues, and avoid red and black; leave highly competitive sports and activities in favor of less aggressive pastimes; take time out from organizing and goal-setting to practice mindfulness and compassion. Follow a cooling diet with fruit (except grapefruit), most vegetables (except hot peppers, raw onions, and tomatoes), most whole grains, most legumes, milk (except fermented dairy products like yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk, which are heating, even if served cold), and natural sweeteners in moderation. Avoid coffee, alcohol, hot spices, and oily foods.
Kapha is dominant in the cold, wet months of winter and early spring and at nap times. Wake yourself up with a light diet of warming, drying foods, purposeful activity and service, vigorous exercise, and strong bright colors. For Kapha, maintaining a routine is not a problem! Instead, make an effort to introduce some variety into your life! Kapha is balanced by hot, light, dry foods such as apples, dried fruit (except dates and figs), beans, and most vegetables when prepared lightly without a lot of oil. Spices are good for Kapha, as are whole grains, but bread -- not so much. Nuts, seeds, oils, sweeteners, and dairy products (except for goat's milk) should appear infrequently in a Kapha diet. Caffeine in moderation can be helpful! In terms of life-stages, childhood, with its increase in body mass and need for lots of rest, is our Kapha time. But do not apply a strict anti-Kapha diet to a child -- it will not be nourishing enough.
Life and health require balance. An Ayurvedic practice helps us stay balanced and healthy by being aware of the elements within us and knowing how to boost those that are too low, and relieve those that are too high. A constitutional analysis with an Ayurvedic Health Educator will help you determine which doshas are strongest in your case, and how to balance those elements to maintain health and peace of mind.