Ayurveda:  The "Common Sense Medicine"

"Ayurveda, said to be a world medicine, is the most holistic or comprehensive medical system available...  The secret of Ayurveda's individualized healing method was preserved in India, whereas it has been lost or superseded in other cultures."

-Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha, Author of The Ayurveda Encyclopedia

Ayurveda has been around for centuries - it's a time tested approach to wellness and longevity.  Ayurveda (pronounced Ah-yer-vay-dah) is a Sanskrit word that means "the science of life".  It is an ancient system of holistic medicine that originated in India.  According to Ayurveda, health and well-being is a state of dynamic balance. Balanced living can be achieved when we live in harmony with the natural cycles and rhythms of the Earth and our own bodies.  Ayurveda asks us to honor our body and it's need for detoxification, nourishment, rest and rejuvenation.

5 Element Theory

According to Ayurveda, the Universe is made up of five elements (Air, Ether, Fire, Water, Earth). Ayurveda believes that our bodies are microcosms of the Universe with all of the elements represented in different forms.

Air represents our respiration and all movement within the body (i.e. nerve impulses, circulation)

Fire represents digestion - the transformation of food into nutrients.

Water represents the rivers of blood and lymph that flow through our body.

Earth represents our tissues and solid structures like bones and muscle tissue.

Ether is the space in which all of these functions occur.

Tridosha Theory

In Ayurvedic Medicine, the pairing of certain elements create a distinction unique to the world of Ayurveda calld a "dosha".  Dosha is a Sanskrit term meaning "that which changes".  When you hear the term dosha as it pertains to Ayurveda, it typically refers to a person's body type.  Ayurveda's combinations of elements form three main classifications: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  Each elemental pairing is responsible for different aspects of our physical, emotional and mental states of being.

Vata = Air + Ether

Vata represents our energy, movement and mobility, thought, nervous reactions, respiration and the movement of air and circulation throughout the body.

Pitta = Fire + Water

Pitta represents our digestive fire (transforming food into fuel for the body), perception (transforming visual observation into thoughts) and body temperature regulation.

Kapha = Earth + Water

Kapha represents the lubricatin of our joints, the structure of our bones and the insulation for the body.  Ayurvedic Medicine recognizes how the elements work together in combination to create our physical body and its functions.

Ayurvedic Medicine recognizes how the elements work together in combination to create our physical body and its functions.  These combinations are unique in every person which is why no two people are exactly alike.  The ratios of the elements at play within the body at the time of birth determine your Ayurvedic Metabolic Body Type. or "dosha".

Body Types According to Ayurveda

Vata, Pitta and Kapha describe three main body types in Ayurvedic Medicine and the physical, mental and emotional characteristics associated with each one.  Most of us are a combination of two with a primary and secondary fire.

-Vatas tend to be small framed people with dry skin and hair.  They are active, talkative and enthusiastic.

-Pittas tend to have a medium build with a reddish complexion, oily hair and skin.  They are ambitious, competitive and passionate.

-Kaphas tend to have large frames with cool skin and thick hair.  They are loyal, strong and easy-going.

The ratios of Vata, Pitta and Kapha are constantly adapting to our environment, moods, relationships, diet and all other aspects of our lives.  If we live in a stressful environment, we can expect that the delicate balance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha to alter, creating imbalance and eventually dis-ease. 

The Importance of Prevention & Self Healthcare

Ayurveda is about prevention and self-healthcare.  Understanding your own body type empowers you to make educated decisions about your own wellness.  

Imagine your body was a car and you had no idea what make or model it was and you had no real understanding of how it worked.  What if you didn't know how or when to give it a tune up, change a tire or change the oil and all you did was drive it around creating more wear and tear?  You'd be in trouble if your car broke down wouldn't you?  You would be powerless when it came to the care of your car.  You would be completely dependent on someone else who knows what kind of car you have and what parts you need to fix it and keep it in good working condition. What if you didn't even know what kind of gas to put in your car?  How would it ever run optimally and efficiently for you?

This sounds silly, but we are doing this with our bodies all the time.  We don't know our own body type so we don't know what kind of maintenance program will be best to keep our bodies running efficiently.  We neglect to fuel our bodeis with quality nutrition do we don't have the energy to go the distance in life.  We go thousands of miles without an "oil change" or a "tire rotation" and we wonder why the vehicle we call our body has to be taken to the shop for repairs.

That's why it's so important to know your own body type and to get on a plan for prevention and self-healthcare.  Don't wait until something breaks down.  It is possible to experience health, vitality, rejuventation and longevity.  It starts with empowering yourself with an understanding of who you are, what balances you and what causes imbalance when it comes to your individual body type.