What is Ayurveda?
Here we offer an introduction to what is often referred to as Yoga’s sister science - Ayurveda.
As the weather cools and the extroverted energy of the warmer months wanes to welcome the introspective quietening of winter, I find myself drawn to soups, books and more time at home. I very much feel that each season has its own ‘energy’ so to speak. I am sure many can relate to that summer excitement, a heat that is not only reflected in temperature, but in the way we live during those warmer months - the planning of holidays, the outdoor exploring, the socialising, the upbeat chatting and the ‘doing’. The cooler months often see us shift in gears, there is a slowing down and move toward nourishment and hibernation. The energetic nature of the seasons is a beautiful illustration of Ayurvedic principle.
The science of life
Considered to be Yoga’s sister science, the health and medicinal system known as Ayurveda offers an interesting take on wellbeing. The sanskrit word - Ayurveda, roughly translates to “The Science of Life”. Ayur = Life and Veda = knowledge/ science. The Ayurvedic health system’s 5000 year old origins are said to stem from the Indus Valley region in today’s Pakistan. The sacred Vedic texts of the time celebrate the elements of life, namely - Fire, Water, Wind and Earth and also describe the use of herbs and practices to create insight, balance and health of mind, body and spirit.
How does it work?
The foundations of Ayurveda are based on an understanding that the body has 3 principle energies, called ‘doshas’. Each individual has a unique makeup of these 3 doshas which is called ‘prakriti’. An individuals’ prakriti is said to be shaped at birth and determines how their body behaves and responds to its environment. A person’s response to foods, exercise, stress and emotions is believed to be a result of their unique prakriti.
What are the doshas?
Vata - characterised by air and space. Vata energy is dry, cold, light, rough, moving, irregular and changeable. Vata controls breathing, heartbeat and muscle movement. It also controls nervous system functions and states such as pain, fear and anxiety. People who have Vata as a dominant dosha in their prakriti may be a creative and ‘go go go’ person, they may also be prone to stress imbalances.
Pitta - characterised by fire and water. Pitta energy is hot, oily, sharp, fluid, light, sour and pungent. Pitta and controls functions like metabolism and digestion. It also influences anger, jealousy and hate. People who have Pitta as a dominant dosha may be driven individuals with a good appetite and strong digestion, but may be prone to irritability and anger.
Kapha - characterised by water and earth. Kapha is cool, smooth, heavy, soft and stable in quality. Kapha is said to govern the physical structure of the body and the immune system. Emotionally Kapha influences calmness, love, greed and forgiveness. People with Kapha as their dominant dosha are believed to be solid and reliable but can be prone to stubbornness and resistance to change.
It is important to note that these explanations offer a very brief snapshot of the doshas in order to illustrate the ideas around these energies. A qualified Ayurvedic practitioner would be able to offer a more detailed and individualised assessment during a personal consultation.
Applying Ayurveda
Once you have an understanding of your physical and mental make-up and your tendencies toward certain imbalanced states (or ‘vikriti’), you are better equipped to make informed choices for your wellbeing. The exercise you choose, the foods that you eat, the pass times you indulge in, all influence the health of the body, mind and spirit.
It is often said that the practices of yoga (namely, asana, pranayama and meditation), offer us an opportunity to observe our tendencies. Ayurveda also offers an interesting framework to observe how our unique bodies function and respond to our world. When paired, Yogic and Ayurvedic principles can provide useful tool kit to help support the health of body and mind.
Throughout our lives imbalances can occur in the body and mind. This is when a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner can help. They can make an assessment of your individual prakriti and help identify where imbalances may be and also what imbalances you may be prone to. From here, the practitioner can make suggestions as to what foods, exercise and health practices could be applied to address your concerns and bring the systems back into balance.
Ayurvedic approach to food and lifestyle
We have discussed the 3 principle energies (doshas) of the physical body - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Ayurveda suggests there are also 3 fundamental forces in nature. These 3 forces are called the ‘gunas’. Understanding these forces is key when looking to the Ayurvedic approach to food.
Rajas - this guna has the energy associated with birth and change. Rajas is characterised by passion, pain, desire and effort. This ‘doing’ energy may be moving toward sattva (increased spiritual understanding) or toward tamas (increased ignorance). Rajas can be seen in many parts of life - the determination to finish a task, pushing yourself too hard when exercising or the heat of garlic and chillies are all examples of rajasic energies.
Tamas - this is the guna associated with death and destruction. Its energy is heavy, lethargic and still. Tamas can obscure and cause dullness and ignorance. We see tamas in action when we engage in entertainment that is mindless or intoxicating or when we consume foods that are lifeless, stale or impure.
Sattva - this is the guna associated with life, maintenance and awareness. This energy is beauty, balance, contentment, health and inspiration. We see sattva in action when we take time to listen to a beautiful melody or watch the sunrise with gratitude. Sattvic foods include those that are as close to their natural state as possible and that have been created with minimal impact on the environment.
You can think of each guna as operating on a sliding scale. As an example: The more ‘sattvic’ side of rajas, could be the determination to move toward a positive life change. The more ‘negative’ or more rajasic energy might be feelings of agitation, unhappiness and unsteadiness. The more ‘sattvic’ side of tamas might be choosing bed rest (stillness) when feeling under the weather. The more ‘negative’ or more tamasic energy might be procrastinating or oversleeping.
Ayurveda: A beginners guide is a book that offers a simplified explanation of the gunas and doshas by Ayurvedic consultant Susan Weis-Bohlen.
We can look to the gunas and the doshas to help make food and lifestyle choices that align with our unique constitution and address our imbalances. For example - if you were a person with a Kapha dominant constitution and were experiencing low mood, lethargy and were feeling overweight, some suggestions might be to introduce a small amount of chilli (rajas) to your diet and to try waking earlier, going for a walk upon waking and going to bed earlier (addressing the tamasic energy and moving toward sattva).
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing is a great book to introduce and explain key Ayurvedic concepts by revered Ayurvedic author and teacher Vasant Lad.
Like many natural approaches to health and wellbeing, Ayurveda believes that what we put into our bodies is the cornerstone of our wellness. By choosing more sattvic foods and lifestyle choices we can work toward a balanced body and mind.
The everyday Ayurvedic cookbook by Kate o’Donnell offers easy to follow recipes and lifestyle advice for each dosha.
Ayurvedic daily routine basics
Ayurveda prescribes the use of healthy daily routines or ‘dinacharya’. The idea is to create a sequence of healthy daily routines or rituals that are in line with your dosha and goals. An example of an Ayurvedic dinacharya might be:
1) Wake up with the sun and take a moment to give thanks for the new day.
2) Clean eyes, nose and mouth by splashing cold water on the face.
3) Drink some water and lemon juice
4) Scrape the tongue and gargle
5) Empty Bowls
6) Exercise, pranayama and meditation
7) Breakfast
8) Brush teeth and get dressed
An everyday Ayurveda guide to self care is another great book by Kate o’Donnell, which explores the doshas and looks at how to develop Ayurvedic self care routines and seasonal practices for your personal constitution and goals.