Ayurveda
Ayurveda (pronounced I-YOUR-VAY-DA) is an ancient science of living a long and healthy life, defying disease and aging, and promoting well-being and good health through a variety of practices. Ayurveda may be the oldest known health care system, probably over 5,000 years old! Amazingly, it is still widely practiced today. In fact, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Deepak Chopra, physician and author, the science of Ayurveda has enjoyed a new surge in popularity in the last decade.
In Ayurveda, stress equals imbalance. When the body isn't balanced, pain, illness, injury, disease, and psychological and emotional problems result. The theory of Ayurveda is complex, but to simplify, it uses certain foods, herbs, oils, colors, sounds, yoga exercises, cleansing rituals, chants, lifestyle changes, and counseling to put the body and mind into the ultimate state of health. It also has at its heart a very specific philosophy that suggests disease and even the aging process can be halted, even reversed, through certain practices.
While Ayurveda treats dosha imbalances in many ways, here are some generalizations:
Vatas benefit from warm, moist, comforting foods (oatmeal, soup) and holding to a regular daily routine. They feel aggravated by the cold.
Pittas benefit from cold food, anger management, and long walks. Heat and spicy foods aggravate them.
Kaphas benefit from warm, dry foods, stimulating events, and exercise. Too much sugar and fat aggravate them.
The ayurvedic system divides people (and everything else — weather, tastes, seasons, temperatures, and so on) into three main dosha types. Many people are a combination of two or even a balance of the three doshas, but most people lean toward one dominant dosha. One's dosha determines what kinds of foods, herbs, oils, colors, sounds, yoga exercises, cleansing rituals, chants, lifestyle changes, and counseling will be most beneficial.
VATA |
PITTA |
KAPHA |
Thin build; if overweight, irregularly so, with spongy rather than solid tissue |
Muscular or average build; easily builds muscle |
Heavyset, or large boned; when overweight (common for Kapha), body is solid |
Curly, thin, brown hair; can be frizzy |
Reddish hair, either dark or strawberry blonde; redhead complexion, freckles, rosy skin |
Dark, thick, glossy or oily hair, smooth skin, full lips, creamy or olive complexion |
Small, darting eyes |
Sharp, piercing, somewhat bloodshot eyes |
Large, wide, white eyes |
Dry, cracking joints |
Loose, soft joints |
Large, thick, sturdy joints |
Can't keep to a schedule; erratic eater, sleeper |
Good appetite, eats fast |
Low constant appetite, eats slowly |
Low or variable endurance |
Moderate endurance but heat intolerant |
Strong, steady endurance |
Prone to pain, arthritis, and disorders of the nervous and immune system |
Prone to infections, fever, and inflammatory diseases |
Prone to respiratory diseases, swelling, and obesity |
Fast, unsteady, erratic lifestyle |
Purposeful, goal-oriented, assertive lifestyle |
Slow, steady, elegant lifestyle |
Sensitive to noise |
Sensitive to bright lights |
Sensitive to strong odors |
Adaptable but sometimes indecisive |
Intelligent but sometimes critical |
Steady but sometimes dull |
An ayurvedic physician can determine your dosha, sometimes through nothing more than feeling your pulse. Typically, a rigorous and detailed analysis is made of a patient who seeks ayurvedic therapy, including detailed questions covering everything from physical makeup to habits, likes and dislikes, and profession. Many do-it-yourself quizzes are available in books and Web sites to help you determine your own dosha. Some people choose to visit ayurvedic centers or in-patient ayurvedic treatment programs. Others take dietary and lifestyle advice only.
Ayurveda is a fascinating and complex system, and this book can only scratch the surface. But just to get you started, here are some qualities commonly associated with each of the dosha types. This list is by no means exhaustive and is meant to give you a very general idea about the three doshas.
Even though most people have one dominant dosha, every person has all three doshas and can experience imbalances in any dosha. Vata goes out of balance first, then pitta, then kapha. Ayurveda treats dosha imbalances in many ways.
If Ayurveda interests you, do some research. Books and other sources of information on this ancient science of life and longevity are plentiful. Here are a few I like.
BOOKS
WEB SITES
Ayurveda Holistic Center:
The National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine:
Everyday Ayurveda:
