by Dr. Amy Wiesner
Over 5,000 years ago, the seers in India observed life and organized their observations into a system called Ayurveda, Ayur meaning “life” and Veda meaning “science”. Like many of the topics we discuss on this site, ayurveda is about healthy living. Whether it's eating organic foods or decreasing the toxins in our environment, we focus on improving our own vitality through good living practices.
According to Ayurveda, everything in the world is composed of the five elements: water, fire, air, ether and earth. These elements represent the qualities of energy or matter. These elements affect us both internally & externally and imbalances affect our health. The body, mind and consciousness have to be balanced for complete health, thus the elements in and around us must be balanced. These philosophies of Ayurveda are very similar to those of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ayurveda even has it’s own version of acupuncture to help balance people!
In Ayurveda, there are 3 energies that are responsible for all the physiological and psychological processes in the body: vata, pitta and kapha. These energies are called doshas. The doshas are combinations of the elements. Vata is a combination of air and ether, pitta is a combination of fire and water and kapha is a combination of water and earth. The three doshas have to work in harmony with each other for the body to function well.
Vata’s physiological functions in the body are associated with nerves, motor functions, breathing, heart regulation, bowel function and circulation of blood, oxygen and nutrients. Pitta is associated with digestion, absorption and assimilation of food, vision and assimilation of sensory stimuli. Kapha governs the body’s structure and the elements necessary for them to function properly. All the doshas have a strong influence in the gastrointestinal tract.
Psychologically, vata is associated with expression of emotion, joy and creativity; pitta with assimilation of thoughts, intellect and cheerfulness; kapha with longterm memory, compassion and stability.
Your physical constitution is based on one main dosha. When using Ayurveda to balance the body, knowing your main dosha is key to having the body function properly. Physically, Vata constitutions are thin, dry and dull in color. Pitta constitutions are fair, lustrous and warm. Kapha are thick, oily, white and cold.
Everything about the food you eat and digestion is important in balancing the body. Of course, eating healthful foods is a key to being in balance. But another aspect of healthy digestion in Ayurveda is associated with agni. Agni means “fire” and proper amounts of it, from pitta, are necessary to help digestion so that your body gets the nutrients it needs. Another aspect of healthy digestion is eating foods that support your dosha. For example, sour foods increase pitta & kapha, which is helpful to balance someone who is mostly of vata constitution.
Ayurveda also stresses psychological balance. Finding ways to calm strong emotions that negatively affect your constitution is necessary to be healthy. Finding the right type of exercise for your main dosha is also part of balancing the body.
Ayurveda is a beautiful and intricate form of medicine. Because so many different aspects need to be balanced, if you are considering a consultation, I recommend seeking someone who has studied the science to give you recommendations.
Image courtesy of MindBodyGreen.com
Ayuverda is just a process of personal beauty enhancement with the aid of pyschological aspect.
Posted by: Healthy Options | January 22, 2012 at 01:59 AM
Ayurveda means 'the science of life'. The central philosophy is that the mind and body are one and the same, and that physical health can't be achieved without emotional, mental and spiritual health.
yes or no, and what do you think of it?
Posted by: uterine fibroid treatment | January 16, 2012 at 06:08 AM
Ayurveda means 'the science of life'. The central philosophy is that the mind and body are one and the same, and that physical health can't be achieved without emotional, mental and spiritual health.
yes or no, and what do you think of it?
Posted by: Somanabolic Muscle Maximizer | December 22, 2011 at 04:14 AM
Ayurveda is simply healthy living with psychological interventions. It seems to be very helpful as long as you have discipline in following the ways of healthy living religiously.
Posted by: Juliette Johnson | December 13, 2011 at 11:41 PM
So what exactly is Ayurveda? I would like to live a vegan, natural lifestyle but it is extremely hard when you work full time and don't have a personal chef to make meals. I want to stay looking young. I think eating right really affects your skin too.
Posted by: Barb Angler | October 30, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I enjoyed reading it. I am going to try it soon.
Posted by: Eye Cream | October 24, 2011 at 08:47 AM
You don't have to slog it out in a sweaty gym to maintain your fitness. Simply boosting your levels of general daily activity can massively improve your health and energy. Awesome post... Thanks for sharing ;)
Posted by: Bodybuilding Diet Plan | October 16, 2011 at 08:52 AM
This should be a lifestyle that everyone follows. Ayurveda takes into consideration what is healthy for you and your body functions. I didn't take care of myself and I need to find a good anti aging cream. I feel old!
Posted by: Martha Brown | September 24, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Anti aging skin care must be started long before any sign of aging. Then you must follow this with taking care of the inside with good nutrition and good habits. That seems to be what Ayurveda is about.
Posted by: Gus King@antiaging | September 16, 2011 at 04:42 PM
That's what I have done. Re the mind...I'm OK there too but it's interesting that Ayurveda takes into account everything.
Posted by: Apartment For Rent | August 10, 2011 at 08:54 AM