Intro to Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a branch of Vedic science, first discovered 5000 years ago in India. It is one of the oldest forms of traditional healing practices, which translates to “mother of sciences” or “life knowledge.” Ayurveda aims to achieve balance within ourselves – specifically, to be one with nature – and acquire optimal health through the means of diet, exercise, yoga and meditation, a healthy lifestyle, and the use of herbal remedies. What makes this scientific branch special is that you don’t need to learn it meticulously to apply it to your daily life. On the contrary, Ayurvedic practices dictate that we are the sole creators of our health, influenced by how we interact with our surroundings. Simply put, we are one step closer to finding our ideal inner balance through healthy life choices.

History Of Ayurveda

It is believed that Ayurveda is one of the oldest medicinal practices in the world, developed around 3000 B.C. The Vedas – or ancient Indian spiritual writings – contained the knowledge gathered by this practice, which Indians studied and passed on through generations. There are four Vedas in total, and each describes the principles of health, disease, and treatment – such is the Rig Veda, one of the oldest books written in the Indo-European language. The Rig Veda focuses on the nature of our existence and contains information about the three basic human constitutions called doshas, which we’ll discuss later. Ever since the 1970s, Ayurveda teachers have traveled to Europe and the US to share experiences of this holistic practice, which further influenced the creation of  Ayurvedic schools across the globe.

Definition Of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is all about balance! It puts heavy attention on preserving and maintaining our overall health by balancing our mind, body, and consciousness through the help of a healthy diet, exercise regimens, rational thinking, and herbs. Ayurveda allows individuals to nurture their own constitution – a mixture of physical, mental, and emotional traits, which is completely one of a kind! Many factors influence our constitution, however, when they’re recognized and taken care of, we can find balance, which is the ultimate goal.

Doshas

As previously mentioned, Ayurveda identifies three energy principles in all living things, called doshas. According to the ancient healing practice, every single thing in the world is composed of five elements – earth, water, air, fire, air, and space, and a dosha is no exception! They define our personal physical and mental characteristics as well as our constitution. With that in mind, every dosha is unique, and everyone has a dominant type. Since there a no English words that can fully describe these energy principles, we’ll use their original Sanskrit names – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Doshas are considered the center of the Ayurveda practice, so when they become imbalanced, the natural flow of our energy force may experience a blockage. This disruption results in the buildup of toxins in the mind and body, which further causes diseases. However, there are particular ways of balancing your dosha, depending on your type. You may be wondering – how do I know my dosha? Well, some general characteristics or behavioral patterns can give you a sense of your type, which can greatly help when it comes to nurturing it.

Types Of Doshas

• Vata – Energy Of Movement

People with a dominant Vata dosha are highly creative, active, and incredibly adaptable to different environments. Their mind works like a hamster on a wheel – they tend to learn things rather quickly. However, they can be incredibly forgetful. In addition, they are eager to take on lots of activities and try out new things, although the same can easily lead them to exhaustion. In general, they are the people in the room with the smartest ideas but lack the willpower to see them through. Their physique looks slim with long limbs, and they typically have dry skin. Imbalances of the Vata dosha can be expressed through elevated levels of anxiety, fear, nervousness, and mental confusion.

In order to achieve balance, people with an accented energy of movement should limit cold and crunchy food that is rich in sodium, along with carbonated and caffeinated beverages. Stew meals are highly recommended, as well as fruits, well-cooked grains and rice, and dairy products. The use of spices is encouraged, but they should be taken into consideration. Vata people should take plenty of rest, and they should try sticking to a strict routine to avoid burnout and over-exhaustion

• Pitta – Energy Of Digestion And Metabolism

The Pitta dosha is stored in the abdominal area (hence the name), and it has the attributing qualities of fire. These people are typically hot-blooded, with extremely good blood circulation, warm extremities, and well-defined physiques. Due to its scorching nature, the Pitta dosha is sensitive to direct sunlight and heat. In addition, they are considered over-achievers, ambitious, goal-driven, and perfectionists. However, these traits can lead them to be aggressive, jealous, overly critical, and sensitive to snide remarks – their temper tantrums are truly one-of-a-kind! Ulcers, indigestion, and skin conditions – like rashes and acne, can be clear indicators of an imbalanced Pitta.

Pitta people should limit their intake of spicy and greasy food and red meats. Alcohol is a strict no-no since it can lead to increased levels of anger and aggression. Instead, their plates should be rich in color with various vegetables and sweet fruits. Finally, going for cooling dishes is a great idea to take care of that hot temper! Exercise can be a great stress reliever, though it should be done during breezy temperatures.

• Kapha – Energy Of Lubrication

Lastly, the Kapha dosha is characterized by calmness, strength, and patience. People with this certain dosha can be quite nurturing and full of love and care, although the same can lead them to over-attachment and clinginess. Since they are incredibly patient, they can be equally as lazy. Kapha people need more time to learn new things. However, they have incredible long-term memory, making them excellent logical thinkers. They are typically big-boned, cuddly, and rather tall. Their caring nature can cause depression and sudden emotional changes resulting from an imbalance Kapha.

To achieve balance, Kapha people must work out as much as possible and try various methods of exercise. Siestas during the day should be avoided like the plague! Their newfound active nature should motivate them to try a different routine and not stick to what they are familiar with. Their diet should be light, airy, and dry – that means no dairy, no oils and fats, and no iced foods and drinks!

We hope to have given you a brief insight into the marvelous practice of Ayurveda. You’re bound to find your perfect balance with the right healthy life choices! Curious to find out which dosha you are? Head over to https://www.joyfulbelly.com/ to take the quiz!

We’ll diver deeper into this topic in the coming months! In the meantime, check out the rest of our blog for more interesting topics!