Ayurveda – an introduction - II

The science of Ayurveda, like the science of Yoga, was inspired and developed by the great masters and seers of ancient India. The origin of Ayurveda and Yoga are common to play a highly complimentary role in spiritual evolution and the maintenance of physical well-being and vitality. Ayurveda is, perhaps, the oldest science of life, a system of diet, healing and health maintenance that is deeply spiritual in origin. Unlike traditional Western medicine, Ayurveda is not confined to healing of disease in a superficial treatment of symptoms. Instead, it evaluates the complete body mind of the individual.

Ayurveda sees medicine and diet as complementary rather than separate. No one can expect to retain vitality, recover from disease, or succeed in the practice of Yoga without the appropriate knowledge of the powerful effect diet has on physical health, mental clarity and spiritual progress.

Indeed, yogis place great emphasis on diet as an integral part of the successful practice of any spiritual discipline. Ayurveda addresses not only healing, but also prevention and maintenance of vitality, as crucial in the practice of Yoga. Ancient seers describe the human body and the body of the universe as composed of prana, the primal energy, vital for life and which manifests in the form of earth, water, fire, air and ether. Any imbalance of these elements in our body is experienced in illness, discomfort or pain. These elements are kept in harmony by a healthy body that consumes them through breath, food, vegetables, seeds, beans, herbs and roots as vital carriers and balancers for the energy of prana in the body. The power of these foods manifests only when they are used in proper combinations and in complete coordination with unique conditions of each individual. This is where the profound effects of Ayurvedic food reveal themselves.

Discovering your constitution
The particular combination of energies present when we enter this world at birth is known in Ayurveda as our innate constitution or prakruti. What we do with our constitution is up to us. It is the source for our health, vitality and well-being. It can also be the springboard toward difficulties, if we ignore its needs. The five elements come together to create the three basic constitutional types. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. If air and ether predominate in your constitution, you are Vata in nature. If fire and water take the lead in your physical make up, Pitta is the result. If water and earth hold ascendancy in your body at birth Kapha is your constitution.

What does understanding your constitution mean, practically? Each constitution has different needs. Meeting these needs assures balance and better chances for good health and peace of mind. It also offers you more informed choices in what health care methods are most appropriate for you.

How can you discover your constitution? Ideally, a skilled Ayurvedic physician can assess your pulse and give you information about your prakruti (constitution). From pulse examination he or she can ascertain what elements are in balance, what is out, and what needs to be done. The pulse is utilised in Ayurveda in a way similar to Tibetan and Chinese medicine. Working with a talent Ayurvedic practitioner is an invaluable resource. But what if you live in Boise, Idaho, where there is no vaidya? Each constitution has certain characteristics physical, emotional and mental attributes, which let us know what elements are present.

The three doshas
When the three doshas exist harmoniously the result is a sense of balance and health; an imbalance, which might be caused by an excess (vriddhi) or deficiency (kshaya) of any or all of them, results in a sign or symptom of disease. Our physical constitution and our health both depend on the balance and interplay of the tridoshas.

The three doshas are known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each dosha has its own part to play in the maintenance of the body. The rhythmic pattern of these humors fluctuates periodically, since the doshas are affected by place, climate, seasonal changes, diet and other factors.

Vata (Wind)

• Creativity – Enthusiasm – Freedom – Generosity – Joy – Vitality – Air
• Vata is the most powerful of the doshas.
• Formed by the interaction of space and air, Vata is movement, the body in motion.
• Vata is the originator of all kinds of movements in the body. So activities like respiration, movement of food in the digestive tract, circulation of various fluids, excretion of wastes and nervous functions are mainly governed by vata.

If you have a vata constitution, you are likely to be artistic and creative with a good imagination, though you may have it hard to put your ideas into practice, as new ideas continually catch your imagination. Your memory may not be very good.

Vata is mobile and governs:
All movements within the body, stimulation of nerves, tears, transmission of sensory stimuli, initiation of motor functions, creation of impulses and reflexes, maintenance of consciousness, inspiration and expiration, heartbeat, circulation of blood, oxygen, nutrients, thoughts, stimulation of digestive juices, peristalsis, normal elimination, normal transformation of tissues, ejaculation, delivery of fetus from womb, expression of emotion.

Factors aggravating vata

• Eating too much food that are similar in qualities to that of vata like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, melons, potatoes, dry breads, fast foods and apples etc.
• Activities like too much travelling, staying awake till late night and watching too much television, exposure to high noise levels, eating while anxious or depressed.
• Indulging in too much sexual activity.

Your constitution according to vata

• Small, active, dark eyes.
• Usually of a thin frame.
• Creative thinker.
• Dark complexioned.
• Unstable in making decisions.
• Difficulty in gaining weight.
• Changeable moods and ideas.
• Cold hands and feet, little perspiration
• Brittle nails.
• Prefer warm climate, sunshine and moisture.
• Dark, rough, wiry or kinky hair.
• Like to snack, nibble.
• Like to stay physically active.
• Variable thirst.

Essential oils for vata:
Angelica, basil, bergamot, clary sage, eucalyptus, lemon, myrtle, orange, pine, tangerine, chamomile, lavender, rosewood, corrot seed, frankincence, galbanum, ginger, spikenard, myrrh, rose.

Kapha (mucus)
The literal or etymological meaning of kapha is to embrace, cohesion or that which holds things together.

• Caring – Centeredness – Compassion – Contentment – Faith – Fulfilment – Groundedness – Patience - Stability
• Kapha, in its role as a lubricant, combines the structural properties of earth with water.
• It builds the body and forms its structural skeleton, muscles, organs, ligaments, tendons and skin.
• Kapha lubricates the body, ensuring the smooth function of joints. With strength, stability, and solidity, Kapha is the body in repose.

If kapha predominates in your constitution, you will have a steady, reliable mind. You will take time to learn, and will remember what you have learned. There can sometimes be elements of dullness with a kapha mind: it is usually content not to seek fresh mental stimulation.

Kapha governs:
Lubrication fluids and supply system, mucous membranes, synovial fluid in joints, binding, firmness, heaviness in the body, softness in the body, distribution of heat, strength and stamina, longevity of cells and thus the person, sleep, long-term memory, security.

Factors aggravating Kapha

• Eating foods that are very cold, heavy, oily like fried food, sweets like sugars, fats, milk products, ice creams and meat.
• Activities like sleeping during the daytime, not doing much physical activity, living in cold and humid climate etc.

Your constitution according to kapha

• Medium and well-built frame.
• Gain weight easily, have a hard time to lose.
• Large, attractive eyes with thick eyelashes.
• Thick, wavy hair, a little oily, dark or light.
• Have ideas and opinions but not confident of the same.
• Work well with routine.
• Steady, reliable, slow to change