Ayurveda is based on ancient scriptures that depend on natural and holistic approach to improve mental and physical well-being. It is an ancient art of healing the mind and body using naturally available resources. Ayurveda began in India over 5,000 years ago and has been practiced ever since. It is founded on the belief that all areas of life impact health.
For centuries, Ayurveda has brought drastic changes in physical and mental well-being of millions of people. Incorporating a few tried-and-true practices into your daily routine can make a radical difference in your life.
The practice of Ayurveda restores balance and harmony of an individual and have been found to have ameliorative effects in improving health and longevity. It helps in preventing diseases, detoxes the body and heals your body from within and balances your physical, psychological and spiritual health.
Ayurvedic treatment begins with an internal purification process of an individual and is followed by a special diet, massage therapy, yoga and meditation. Ayurveda helps to aid the person by eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing worry, and increasing harmony in life. Various types of herbs, plants, oils and common spices, are used in Ayurvedic treatment.
Ayurvedic philosophy states that all human are made up of three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. Doshas can be thought of as some type of energy. Each of these doshas is believed to determine your emotional strength and weakness, the food your body needs, the exercise that’s best for you, and more. Ayurvedic practitioners help you find balance in all three doshas. Diseases occur when the doshas are out of balance. Ayurvedic practioners use diet, stress management, exercise, and sometimes herbs to help restore a person’s health and balance.
The three type of dosha’s according to Ayurvedic philosophy are as follows:
1. Vata dosha
2. Pitta dosha
3. Kapha dosha
Vata dosha
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, vata controls the movement of flow of the body and mind. Vata governs flexibility, muscle and joint movement, blood flow, and breathing.
When vata is dominant, you are creative, flexible, and quick to act. The downside of being alert is that too much vata can make you anxious. For those with excessive vata, Ayurvedic practitioners may suggest grounding techniques such as maintaining a regular sleep and eating schedule, meditation, rest and relaxation.
Pitta dosha
Pitta loosely translated means fire.So think of this kind of energy as consuming something else. In Ayurvedic theory, pitta is responsible for regulating digestion, hormones and metabolism.
When Pitta is dominant, you tend to be dominant, competitive, strong-willed, confident, and focused on leadership. Ayurveda believes that when pitta is out of balance, you can easily become angry and agitated, make hasty decisions, and engage in self-destructive behavior. Pitta imbalances also manifest themselves in inflammation, rashes, skin conditions such as eczema and acne, and digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. To balance pitta, Ayurvedic practitioners sometimes suggest participating in cool, calming activities.
Kapha dosha
Kapha is the element that holds everything together, from your cells to your muscles, bones and ligaments. The densest of the three doshas, kapha is known for endurance and lubrication.
If you’re dominant in kapha, you may be comfortable sticking to a routine. Emotionally, you like to set expectations and hold to them. Kapha-dominant individuals are loyal, nurturing and dependent on others. But when imbalanced, kapha can cause excessive fatigue, weight gain, swelling, disinterest in new activities and inability to let things go. To combat an imbalance of kapha, essential oils may be helpful. Individuals are steered away from comfort foods to lighter foods like fruits and vegetables in smaller portions throughout the day. Increasing physical activity to get blood flowing is also a good practice.