Achieving Balance In Body & Mind Using Ancient Indian Knowledge

AYURVEDA AND THE DOSHAS

According to Ayurveda (The traditional Indian system of health & longevity), the “Doshas” are the three fundamental universal energies, known as Tri-Dosha. They govern all things, including human experience. On our terrestrial level, understanding of the Tri-Dosha incorporate the 5 basic elements known as “Pancha Mahabhuta”, which are Ether (Akahsa), Air (Vayu), Fire, (Agni or Tejas) Water (Jala) & Earth (Prithvi). These elements are expressed as bio-energies in the body and mind. In Ayurveda the Doshas are described as Vata (Ether & Air), Pitta (Fire) and Kapha (Water & Earth).

We are all born with a unique constitution that animates these energies within us in different ways and accounts for our character, our tendencies, pre-dispositions, physical characteristics…indeed everything about us! The Doshas govern all physical and mental processes and even provide us with a blueprint for achieving our own personal state of health and well-being.

The concept of the Doshas provide us with a detailed system to characterize and understand the energies that govern our bodily functions and determine the individual ways in which we assimilate – or digest – all of our experiences into our consciousness. The state of our Doshas at any given time also determines the ways in which we respond to our internal and external environments.

Understanding your Doshas is essential to understanding yourself and, will guide you to the appropriate foods, lifestyle and daily practices that each individual needs to adhere to in order to balance the Doshas and maintain good energy and physical & mental health.

THE NATURE OF EACH DOSHA:

VATA – AIR & SPACE

Vata is the energy of movement and governs all motion in the body, the functions of the nervous system and the processes of elimination.

Vata predominant people are thin and light, flexible and agile, and tend to have dry skin and, thin and straight hair. Vata types are generally light sleepers and have energetic and creative minds.

They have natural abilities to communicate and express themselves and are generally enthusiastic in their pursuits, though their energy can be fitful with bursts of high energy followed by bouts of fatigue when out of balance and may find it difficult to concentrate.

The qualities of Vata are cold, dry, light, rough, mobile, quick and dynamic. These characteristics are displayed, physically, mentally and emotionally.

PITTA – FIRE

Pitta is the energy of transformation and governs digestion, metabolism and energy production.

The fiery nature of Pitta dominant people is evident in their nature and manifests in body and mind. Of medium weight and build, when in balance Pitta types have excellent digestion, sharp intellect, can sleep deeply, have lustrous complexion and abundant energy.

Pitta dominant people are usually extroverted and outspoken and in times of stress can flare into being argumentative and emotionally explosive.

Pitta types benefit from an ability to concentrate for long periods of time and can be decidedly single-minded and determined in their pursuits.

The qualities of Pitta are hot, light, penetrating, pungent, sharp and acidic.

KAPHA – EARTH & WATER

Kapha is the concept of stability, it is the energy of structure and lubrication and governs our physical form, fluid production and provides a smooth functioning of the body and mind. Kapha energy binds together the body and mind and forms our cells, bones, muscle, fat, sinew, mucus and tissue.

Kapha people tend to be heavier in body type and benefit from excellent stamina, strength, general good health, they sleep soundly and for slightly longer periods, have regular digestion, large soft eyes, radiant skin, and thick hair.

Kapha types are loyal by nature, they are supportive and nurturing of themselves and others, they are patient and tolerant but can hold onto things for too long whether that be excess weight, grudges, relationships or jobs which are no longer rewarding or necessary.

The qualities of Kapha are Heavy, Slow, Strong, Solid, Cold, Viscous, and Soft.

ASSESSMENT

In Ayurveda, a person is assessed according to the predominance of each Dosha. Although we all have aspects of each Dosha, we are dominant in one or another. Ayurveda assesses a persons’ basic constitution in terms of their two most prevalent Doshas.

It is essential to understand that every element has a myriad of possible states. Air can be a gentle breeze or a gusty wind, it can be relatively still or cyclonic in nature. Fire can burn slow and smolder, or it can rage and turn into the most terrible of bush fires. Water can take the form of solid ice, a sweet fresh river, a lake, the sea, or can be transformed into a vaporous puff of steam, it is life-sustaining but when in excess it can be overwhelming and destructive such as in times of flood. The subtleties and variations in how these elements manifest within us and how they interact with each other control our health and well-being, and how we experience life.

When the Doshas become unbalanced in the human body and mind, they can aggravate or suppress internal functions, rhythms and the equilibrium we require for good health. When Vata is aggravated, we typically see people reacting with elevated anxiety, insomnia, neurological problems, and constipation. If Kapha is highly elevated, it can cause obesity and lack of energy and vitality. If Pitta is elevated, we can easily react in anger, and it can cause skin rashes, burning pains, ulcers, overheating, heartburn and digestive dysfunction.

The combination of our particular birth constitution, the processes of assimilating our life experiences over time and the responses and reactions that we have in our daily life will inevitably lead to some imbalances of the Doshas. Such imbalances manifest as physical, mental and emotional dysfunctions and diseases. Depending on our basic constitution and which Doshas are aggravated within us, certain foods, lifestyle changes, and treatments will assist us to re-balance the Doshas and return to our birth constitution which is the state in which our bodies and minds thrive in good health and maintain balance and adaptability to our environment.

To learn your basic constitution and for guidance on how to adjust your life according to your particular Doshas, a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor may greatly assist in bringing balance to your life. He or she will be able to assist in building a clear path forward to achieve improved health and fulfillment in every aspect of life.