Intro to Ayurveda: The Ancient Science
“Ayurveda is not just a few medicines or a few scriptures, but a holistic total lifestyle deeply involved with yoga, meditation, food habits and epigenetic social cultures.”
— Amit Ray
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term that translates to “science or knowledge of life” and is one of the oldest holistic, or whole body, healing modalities. The practice dates back thousands of years to the ancient Sanskrit texts known as the Vedas, which originated in the Indian subcontinent. Unlike many modern medicine systems, the foundation of Ayurveda is to create balance within the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies through a complex interplay of elements and energies. The goal is not just absence of disease or symptom suppression, but rather root cause healing for greater vitality across spirit, mind, and body.
Ayurveda is also unique in that it does not just use medicine for treatment. This ancient system combines lifestyle practices like yoga + meditation and morning routines with herbal and nutrition protocols. These practices are customized based on an individual’s specific constitution, or prakruti.
The 5 Great Elements
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the entire universe is an interplay of the energies of five great elements:
Space (akasha)
Air (vayu)
Fire (tejas or agni)
Water (apas)
Earth (prthivi)
Each element is associated with a particular energy. For example, water is associated with the energy of flow while earth is associated with a grounding energy. Our bodies are a beautiful combination of the five elements, and these energetic combinations make up our physiological constitutions known as the doshas.
Your Unique Elemental Fingerprint: The Doshas
The doshas, known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, govern our physiology and the functions of our spirit, mind, and body. As you’ll see below, each dosha is made up of two great elements and their associated energies.
We are each born with a specific constitution, or combination of the doshas, with one often being our dominant energetic force. For example, although I have all three doshas within me, I am Vata dominant and tend to have excess air + space. Read on to learn about the three doshas and associated elements + imbalances!
While we are all a distinct combination of the three, as we move through life, the proportion of the three doshas fluctuates due to stress, environment, diet, the seasons and climate, age, and many other factors. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the cause of disease (whether physical, mental, or spiritual) is viewed as an excess or deficiency of the doshas.
Vata Dosha - AIR + SPACE
Due to the elemental combination of air and space, Vata represents the subtle energy associated with movement. It is the dosha that governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and cell membranes. Vata dominant individuals often have a very active mind and are always on the go.
In balance, Vata is physically agile and flexible. It is energetic and promotes creativity, liveliness, and excitement. Balanced Vata is also mobile (without overworking) and rarely experiences sluggishness.
When there is an imbalance or excess of Vata, you may experience digestive issues, weight loss, weakness, and depleted energy. You could also have overly dry skin and hair, as well as cracking joints and cold hands. Aggravated Vata in women can also present as problems with the menstrual cycle or reproductive organs such as ovarian cysts. Imbalances also manifest as fear and anxiety, lack of concentration, inability to complete tasks, and heart palpitations.
Practices to Balance Vata
Keep your body temperature stable and warm, making sure to wear socks to prevent excess cold and air. If heading outside in colder weather, wear a hat to protect your head from wind.
Incorporate healthy oils and warming foods into your diet. Drinking ginger tea helps stimulate warmth and decrease excess air.
As part of your morning routine, incorporate self massage (abhyanga) using warm and grounding oils like sesame or almond.
Incorporate grounding techniques that decrease excess air, like walking with bare feet on the earth or placing your forehead on your favorite tree.
Practice alternate nostril breathing to ground yourself.
Wear or surround yourself with warming, earthy colors like browns and yellows.
Pitta Dosha - FIRE + WATER
Made up of seemingly contradictory elements, Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system. It governs digestion, absorption, nutrition, metabolism, and body temperature. It also controls our hormonal balance and immune system.
In balance, Pitta has fantastic digestion, strong appetite, and clear complexion. A balanced Pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. When there is an excess of Pitta, you may experience inflammation or skin rashes, red eyes, excess sweat, hot flashes, and fever. You might also feel extremely sensitive to sun exposure as well as feelings of anger, resentment, and jealousy. Pitta aggravation can also lead to trouble sleeping.
Practices to Balance Pitta
Sitali cooling breath: Make an O shape with your mouth and curl the tongue lengthwise. Draw in air as if drinking from a straw and fill the lungs completely, feeling the cool air on your tongue. Withdraw your tongue and close the mouth, holding the breath for a few seconds. Exhale through the nose. Continue for a few minutes when needed (especially if experiencing hot flashes).
Avoid overly warming or spicy foods like chili and cayenne peppers. Incorporate more cooling herbs such as cilantro.
Surround yourself with cool elements, like the colors of white, blue, and green.
Spend time with people who bring you calm and peace, and avoid individuals that aggravate your energy during times of Pitta imbalance.
Incorporate essential oils like jasmine, ylang ylang, or geranium, which have a cooling effect.
Practice yoga at 80% effort and focus on exhales to decrease excess heat.
Kapha Dosha - EARTH + WATER
Kapha represents the energy that forms the body’s structure such as bones, muscles, and tendons. This dosha also supplies water to all the systems of the body. It helps lubricate the joints, organs, and tissues as well as moisturize the skin.
In balance, this dosha is expressed as love, calmness, and forgiveness. A balanced Kapha is loyal, patient, supportive, and steady. Kapha in balance allows for deep, rejuvenating sleep. In excess, or out of balance, Kapha leads to fatigue, emotional eating, congestion (including skin), and weight gain. You may also feel depressed and stagnant as well as a lack of motivation, especially for exercise. Excess Kapha can also lead to fluid retention and oversleeping.
Practices to Balance Kapha
Practice breath of fire: Take sharp exhales out of the nose with the inhale coming passively in between. This breath work builds up fire and energy within the belly. Make sure to avoid breath of fire if pregnant or on your period. Here’s a great tutorial!
Try some yoga, especially warrior pose and faster moving cat cow to bring in more heat and energy.
Incorporate movement daily to limit stagnation.
Be more intentional during mealtimes – eat slowly and take a deep breath after your meals. Avoid heavy, oily, or overly sweet foods.
Incorporate essential oils like cardamom, cedar, ginger, and cinnamon, all of which are considered stimulating oils.
As part of your morning routine, incorporate self massage using almond oil which has a mildly warming effect.
Ayurveda is a complex, age-old healing system, and this article is just scratching the surface of its powerful capabilities. Stay tuned for more practical advice on how to incorporate Ayurveda into your life.
Want to learn more about your unique energetic constitution? Are you looking for customized practices to create more balance?
In addition to energy work and other healing modalities, my 1:1 mentorship incorporates Ayurvedic concepts rooted in your specific constitution. It’s a wonderful way to receive personalized support for a more healthful, awakened life. I also offer private, 1 hour individual sessions to address a specific energetic block and provide you with high level lifestyle changes.
Yearning for a more healthful, balanced life? Let's connect ↓
Article Sources + Gratitude
https://maharishiayurvedaindia.com/blogs/ayurveda-knowledge-center/why-is-it-important-to-know-your-dosha
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ayurveda
https://www.ayurvedacollege.com/blog/ayurveda-prakruti-constitution-and-vikruti-nature-imbalance/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198827/
the many books, classes, and client experiences that continue to inform my practice.
And, thank you to the teachers, original gurus, healers, and wise humans that have carried this ancient wisdom forward. Eternal gratitude for you.
