Source: https://chopra.com/articles/what-is-ayurveda
What is Ayurveda?
According to ancient Sanskrit texts – the Vedas, Ayurveda means “Knowledge of Life” or “Science of Life. It is the healing system of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being in the universal context. Being originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda has also been called “Mother of All Healing.” Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of disease prevention and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle through being conscious of life balance (i.e., proper thinking, diet, and herbs utilization). Thus, the balance or harmonization of body, mind, and consciousness will be attained. According to Ayurveda, the way of equilibrium will be changed according to one’s constitution, which is created by a unique combination of physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. Once these factors are well understood and applied to daily life, the balance or natural order will be established (Prakriti). Otherwise, the imbalance will cause disorder and diseases (Vikruti).
What is Dosha, according to the Ayurvedic Yoga approach?
Source: http://www.eattasteheal.com/ayurveda101/eth_bodytypes.htm
In terms of cosmology and energy, five significant elements form all beings and objects, which are Ether or Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. 5 items manifest three different energies, or Doshas, which are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata, which comprises of Space and Air, is the energy of movement. People who are Vata predominant have a thin building and quick mind. They find themselves hard to gain weight, quickly learn as well as easily forget; they are enthusiastic, and their body temperature quickly gets cold. They tend to lack willpower, tolerance, consistency, stability, and organizing skills. In balance, Vata promotes creativity, energy, flexibility, a clear mind, balanced digestion, proper circulation, and body temperature regulation. Out of balance, Vata creates fear, anxiety, tiredness, lack of focus, poor circulation
Pitta, which is composed of Fire and Water, is the energy of digestion or metabolism. Pitta’s body is with medium building and balanced weight. In balance, Pitta promotes intelligence, sharp intellect, and goal-oriented characteristics. They also have radiant and glowing skin with sound sleep at night, proper metabolism, healthy digestion, strong appetite, inner peace, and happiness. Being out of balance, Pitta is angry, hatred, jealousy, and hot-tempered. Their sleep might be interrupted, and they might experience rashes and acne skin, they tend to be a workaholic person.
Kapha, which includes Water and Earth elements, is the energy of lubrication and the body’s structure (i.e., bones, muscles, tendons). People with Kapha Dosha have a more substantial building. They tend to gain weight rather than Vata and Pitta because they have a slow metabolism; they are reluctant to learn and slow to forget; their skin is oily and smooth. They are psychologically calm, tolerant, forgiving, stable, compassionate, and loyal. In balance, Kapha expresses love, compassion, stable temperament, calmness, and forgiveness; they have excellent long-term memory, strength, and good sleep. Being out of balance leads to attachment, possessiveness, easy weight gaining, greed, envy, lethargy, and food cravings; they might be unmotivated and postpone.
All of us share the qualities of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Still, one is usually primary, one secondary, and the third is often least prominent. The cause of disease in Ayurveda is due to a lack of proper cellular function or an imbalance of Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. The presence of toxins can also cause the condition. Beyond three main Doshas, there is a Bi-doshic constitution, which combines common characteristics with two Dosha types (Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, and Vata-Kapha). Also, the Tri-doshic constitution will have an equal amount of influence by three Doshas.
Food for balancing Dosha
Source: https://robbreport.com
Vata people are encouraged to have warm, well-cooked food. Sweet, ripe, juicy fruits are also suitable for Vata. However, they should avoid astringent and dry fruits such as raw apples and cranberries. All nuts and seeds are beneficial for Vata. Still, it would be better if the water element will be included by soaking. In summary, Vata people are recommended to stay warm, calm, rest more, eat warm food and spices, be consistent with daily routine, avoid cold or raw food.
Pitta Dosha will be balanced by sweet, cooling, bitter, and astringent food. They should avoid sour, salty, and pungent tastes such as raw onion, radishes, chilies, garlic, hot spicy, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco. Nuts and seeds are not usually suitable for Pitta due to the oil and heat. All legumes but red and yellow lentils are beneficial in a small amount. To summarize, Pitta should avoid excessive heat, oil, salt but eat more cooling, non-spicy food. They should do exercises when the weather temperature is not too hot moderately.
Kapha constitution will be balanced by bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes. They need less grain, only consume the roasted or dry cooked ones. The leafy greens should be eaten more, and the root, very sweet, sour, or juicy vegetables might be avoided. The astringent and dry fruits would be most relevant to them. Heavy nuts and seeds should be avoided due to the heavy oil. In general, they are recommended to do more exercise, keep themselves active during the day, eat light and dry food, avoid heavy, fatty, and oily food.
Source:
Bayan Botanicals. “Find Balance and Learn Your Ayurvedic Body Type.” https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/dosha-quiz/
Blossom, Scott. “Intro to Ayurveda: The Three Doshas.” Yoga Journal. 6 April. 2017. https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/intro-ayurveda
Eat Taste Heal. “The Three Doshas: The Keys To Your Individual Nature.” http://www.eattasteheal.com/ayurveda101/eth_bodytypes.htm
Hospodar, Miriam. “The Dosha Balancing Diet.” Yoga Journal. 12 April. 2017. https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/the-dosha-balancing-diet
Lad, Vasant. “Ayurveda: A Brief Introduction and Guide.” https://www.ayurveda.com/resources/articles/ayurveda-a-brief-introduction-and-guide
Shades of Yoga. “5 Elements of Ayurveda”. 20 January. 2018. https://shadesofyoga.com/5-elements-ayurveda/
Taylor, Mary, and Ginsburg, Lynn. “Yoga Food Myths: How to Eat for Your Dosha.” Yoga Journal. 12 June. 2017. https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/eat-support-yoga?li_source=LI&li_medium=m2m-rcw-yoga-journal
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