A Beginner's Guide To Ayurveda
AYURVEDA, the medical branch of yoga, is the world's oldest comprehensive healing system. It offers profound diet, herb, and lifestyle recommendations based on your individual constitution or doshic-type. - Meredith Corvette Carter, of Vata Pitta Kapha
How does Ayurveda work?
Ayurveda is based on the principles of three doshas. Doshas are the energies that make up every individual, which perform different physiological functions in the body: The three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—are derived from the five elements. Also known as mind-body types, the doshas express unique blends of physical, emotional, and mental characteristics. In Ayurveda, health is defined as the dynamic state of balance between mind, body, and environment.
The 3 Dosha types:
1. Vata Dosha -- Air + Ether
2. Pitta Dosha -- Fire + Water
3. Kapha Dosha -- Water + Earth
Each person has all three Doshas, but usually one or two dominate. Various Dosha proportions determine one's physiological and personality traits, as well as general likes and dislikes. To fiund out your dosha, you can complete this quiz.
I know my Dosha type, now what?
At the heart of the Ayurvedic approach to wellness is the idea that like increases like and that opposites balance. So whether we are attempting to mitigate the effects of certain innate vulnerabilities, or trying to correct an active imbalance, we can apply the energy of opposites in order to steer our bodies in the right direction. The twenty qualities mentioned above provide the most straight-forward illustration of how the concept works, and their grouping into ten pairs of opposites makes for a fairly intuitive grasp of how this wisdom can be applied in practical terms.
GENERAL HEALTH TIPS FOR VATA TYPES:
Maintain regular habits, try to eat and sleep at the same time every night. Get enough rest and choose foods that are warm, cooked, nourishing, and easy to digest. Sweet berries, fruits, small beans, rice, and all nuts and dairy products are good choices for Vata types. Exercise intensity should be moderate. A more meditative yoga, Tai chi, walking, and swimming are all good options for Vata's. To return to a state of balance it can be good to avoid strenuous and frantic activities.
GENERAL HEALTH TIPS FOR PITTA TYPES:
It's important for Pittas to keep cool by avoiding overexposure to direct sunlight and fried and spicy foods. Try and steer clear of alcohol and tobacco, overworking, and overheating. When aggravated, Pitta's can be highly susceptible to feeling negative emotions like hostility, hatred, intolerance, and jealousy. Choose fresh vegetables and fruits that are watery and sweet, especially cherries, mangoes, cucumbers, water melon, and avocado. Have lots of salads with dark greens such as arugula, dandelions, and kale. Avoid conflicts. Cultivate the virtues of honesty, morality, kindness, generosity, and self-control.
GENERAL HEALTH TIPS FOR KAPHA TYPES:
It's important to be active on a daily basis as Kapha types are prone to sluggishness, depression, and being overweight. Getting out of the house and actively seeking new experiences is also recommended. Be receptive to useful change, be intentional in implementing life-enhancing actions. Choose foods that are light, warm, and spicy. Tea with dried ginger and lemon is a great pick-me-up for Kaphas. Avoid heavy oily and processed sugars, which are detrimental to Kaphas. Use lots of spices such as black pepper, ginger, cumin, chili and lots of bitter dark greens.
If you're interested in learning more about Ayurveda, we suggest you look no further than VATA PITTA KAPHA. Meredith Corvette Carter is a wealth of knowledge & will be sharing more on Self Practice soon.
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