What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system for health and healing and can be traced back to 5,000 BC. It is also a philosophy.
The word ‘Ayurveda’ is made up of two Sanskrit words: ‘Ayu’ means life and ‘Veda’ means the knowledge. Therefore Ayurveda is often translated as ‘Art of Living’ or the ‘Science of Life’.
Yoga and Ayurveda are considered sister sciences.
Ayurveda gives us the knowledge to maintain a physically and emotionally balanced state by living in harmony with nature, diet and a lifestyle unique to our mind-body type.
This mind-body type is called a ‘Dosha’ in Sanskrit and by understanding our Dosha we can start to bring our body and mind back to a balanced state and ultimately live a healthier, happier life.
Complimenting this, Yoga gives us the technology (physical practice, meditation and breathing exercises) to re-balance your body and mind.
Whether you are at the beginning of your Yoga journery or an experienced Yoga practioner, it’s essential that you understand your Dosha as it is difficult to fully benefit from Yoga on its own, when your mind and body are not nourished and balanced.
Through eating the right food for Dosha in and living a lifestyle that is unique to your Dosha, that is when you will feel the full benefits of Yoga.
What is Dosha (mind-body type)?
Every individual is made of a combination of five elements, Air, Ether, Fire, Water and Earth and these elements combine in the human body to form three Doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Doshas are the energies believed to circulate in the body that make up every individual, which perform different physiological functions in the body. The differing portions of these doshas determine individual characteristics and physical constitution.
Each individual has all three Doshas but usually one or more of the three Doshas is predominant. When these Doshas are imbalanced, it is believed to cause particular physical and mental disorders.
The Characteristics of Each Dosha: Mind-Body Type
Vata Type
Energy that controls movement
Pita Type
Energy that controls transformation
Kapha Type
Energy that controls cohesion and stability
Thin body frame, underweight
Stiff muscles, cracking joints, restless movements
Quick to learn but forgets quickly
Excitable and lively
Dry, rough skin and hair
Constipation
Irregular daily routine
Cold hands and feet, poor circulation
Mood swings, subtle fear, anxiety and insecurity when out of balance
Medium frame
Sharp mind, good concentration, assertive and self-confident
Competitive and enjoy challenges
Good appetite and digestion
Excessive urine and sweat
Tendency toward rashes, acne and inflammation
Irritable, quick to anger when out of balance
Heavy bones and muscles, large body frame, tends to be overweight
Well-lubricated joints and organs
Easygoing, relaxed and slow-paced
Forgiving, gentle, calm nature, loving, caring, compassionate
Slow digestion and metabolism, sluggish
Slow learning but has long-term memory
Cool, moist skin, dislike cold damp weather
Chest, throat and sinus congestion, asthma and allergies
Prone to sluggishness, depression and weight gain when out of balance
Vata Type
Creative, fast moving /talking and multi-tasking
Quick to learn but forgets quickly
Excitable and lively
Dry, rough skin and hair
Constipation
Irregular daily routine
Thin body frame, underweight
Cold hands and feet, poor circulation
Stiff muscles, cracking joints, restless movements
Mood swings, subtle fear, anxiety and insecurity when out of balance
Pita Type
Sharp mind, good concentration, assertive and self-confident
Competitive and enjoy challenges
Good appetite and digestion
Medium frame
Excessive urine and sweat
Tendency toward rashes, acne and inflammation
Irritable, quick to anger when out of balance
Kapha Type
Easygoing, relaxed and slow-paced
Forgiving, gentle, calm nature, loving, caring, compassionate
Slow digestion and metabolism, sluggish
Heavy bones and muscles, large body frame, tends to be overweight
Slow learning but has long-term memory
Cool, moist skin, dislike cold damp weather
Well-lubricated joints and organs
Chest, throat and sinus congestion, asthma and allergies
Prone to sluggishness, depression and weight gain when out of balance
Are you ready to find out what Yoga & Ayurveda can bring to your life?
The first step is to take my Dosha Quiz and find out your unique mind-body type!
You’ll then receive some practical tips & advice on which foods, yoga postures and lifestyle are best for your specific mind-body type!
