Ayurveda - an introduction

Ayurveda is a system of healing which originates from ancient India. Many scholars believe that Ayurveda is the oldest healing system still in existence. Ayurveda contains the knowledge of the nature, scope and purpose of life. It includes the metaphysical and physical aspects of health and disease, happiness and sorrow, and pain and pleasure.

Ayurveda teaches you about the close relationship between man and the universe, and how cosmic energy manifests in every living and non-living thing. The source of all existence is consciousness which manifests as male and female energy.

      - Every individual life is a microcosm of the Cosmos.
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The purpose of Ayurveda is to heal and maintain the quality and longevity of life. It offers an understanding of the uniqueness of each person’s mind, body and consciousness; which is the foundation of health and happiness.

The Five Elements
The rishis (meaning accomplished or enlightened beings), understood that the beginnings of the world existed in an unmanifested state of consciousness. From that state, subtle vibrations of the cosmic, soundless sound Aum manifested. From this Aum vibration came the first element, Ether. Also known as Space.

The Ether element began to move and through these subtle movements it created the next element, Air - Ether in action. Next, the movement of Air produced friction. Through this friction heat was created. Particles of heat combined and formed intense light and caused the Fire element to emerge.

Lastly, the heat of Fire dissolved and liquified certain ethereal elements and formed water. This then solidified and formed the molecules of the Earth. So Ether manifested into the four elements of Air, Fire Water and Earth.

The Human Constitution
The five elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth) are grouped into three basic types of energy that are present in everything, including you. These are the three doshas – vata, pitta and kapha. These act as the basic parts and protective barriers for the body in it’s normal condition. However, when out of balance, they contribute to disease processes.

Each individual’s constitution is determined at conception, and this depends on the parents’ combination at the time. In general, there are seven types of constitutions:
1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
4. Vata-pitta
5. Pitta-kapha
6. Vata-kapha
7. Vata-pitta-kapha

The basic constitution of a person remains the same throughout their lifetime. Their combination remains constant from birth. However, the combination of elements that govern the ongoing physiopathological changes in the body alters in response to environmental changes.

Although all three doshas are present in each person, they occur in varying amounts and differ from person to person. The majority of us have one or two dominant doshas, but there are some who have all three in nearly equal amounts.

For example, I am a vata-pitta. I have high amount of vata and pitta, and a small amount of kapha. There are many “dosha quizzes” online that can help you to determine your constitution. However, it’s best to see a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner to be sure you get it right.

To understand healing in terms of Ayurveda, you must understand the three doshas:

Vata: The principle of movement. Vata is composed of the elements Ether and Air (remember the 5 elements). Vata is a subtle energy associated with movement. It governs breathing, muscle and tissues movement, pulsation of the heart, blinking, movement in the cells, expansion and contraction. When vata is in balance it promotes flexibility and creativity. However, when out of balance it causes fear, anxiety and abnormal movements.

Pitta: While it doesn’t literally mean fire, pitta is translated as fire. Pitta is composed of the elements Fire and Water. Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin colour, luster of the eyes and all transformations. Pitta promotes intelligence and understanding when in balance. Out of balance however, pitta causes anger, jealousy, hate and inflammation.

Kapha: Biological water. Kapha is formed by the two elements Water and Earth. Kapha provide physical structure. It’s the “cement” that hold the cells together. Kapha supplies water to the body’s systems. It lubricates joints, moisterises skin, maintains immunity, heal wounds, fills spaces in the body, give strength, vigor and stability, and supports memory. When in balance kapha promotes love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it can lead to attachment, greed, possessiveness, and congestive disorders.
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Dosha Attributes
Vata, pitta and kapha each have their own attributes. Really, each of these terms (vata, pitta, kapha), is just a term for a grouping of attributes.

In Ayurveda “like increases like”. So, when similar qualities come together it increases their expression. A good example is pitta and summer. Summer has similar attributes to pitta, hot, light, mobile and penetrating. As a result, in the summer months, pitta will increase in the body.

Another example is how vata has similar attributes to autumn, light, subtle, dry, mobile, rough and cold. So during autumn and early winter, vata will increase in the body. Kapha tends to increase during late winter and into spring with its similar attributes, liquid, heavy, cold and cloudy.

These attributes are used in Ayurveda to keep the body in balance, depending on each person’s constitution. A holistic approach is used, and although I’m going to focus more on nutrition (because that’s what I do), you cannot forget other factors. As I mentioned already, “like increases like”. So, similar attributes will increase other similar attributes in the body. This doesn’t just include what you consume, but also the environment, your mental state and physical activity.

Ayurveda and Nutrition
Because we all have a unique constitution (dosha), foods will have varying effects on each of us. When you are in balance, you will have a strong digestive fire and won’t have any issues eating a wide variety of foods.

Although, by following your own healthy cravings, you will find that your body naturally wants what is needed to keep it in balance. For example, during winter many of us crave warm and nourishing foods. Foods like casserole and soups. These are very balancing for this time of year because they are everything opposite to vata (the dominant dosha during cold and dry months).

Foods that are warm, moist, smooth, heavy and grounding can help to reducing vata, which is cold, dry, light and rough. However, on the other hand, eating foods like this during summer can aggravate your body by increasing pitta which is already dominant during summer.

This is not to say that you can’t eat these foods during these times of the year, it’s about understanding the balance and how it changes with your environment.

Attributes of the doshas - The doshas (Lloyd 2005, Burger 1998, Lad 1998, Svoboda 1998, Frawley 1989)

​There is a time when you will have to pay more attention to these dosha attributes, and that’s when you body is out of balance. This is when disease can start to manifest if left unchecked. This is when you can use nutrition, along with lifestyle changes, to bring the body back into balance.

It is quite simple when you understand the dosha attributes in the chart above. There are a lot of food charts online as well, but this can get confusing because they can differ a lot, or get too complicated. But some simple ones can help. Below is one very simple chart to get you started.