What is Ayurveda?

• Meaning the science of life: ‘living’/‘life’ (Ayur); ‘wisdom’/‘science’ (veda)

• The worlds oldest holistic health system (c.5000-10000 years old)

• It follows Nature and like Nature, it’s aim is to restore the natural balance.

• It sees us as holistic beings meaning: body, mind, energy and consciousness (spirit) as opposed to isolated physical or emotional symptoms.

• It invites each person to grow in awareness and find balance through everyday choices.

Being healthy brings a feeling of inner harmony and joy.

When we feel joy and harmony, we extended into daily life through our choices and interactions.

Joy and harmony can then be carried in to the wider community.

This is how Ayurveda & Yoga helps us make a posiitve contribution to the world.

How can you find better health?

Understand the law of cause and effect

The choices we make on a daily basis around: food, activities, environments and relationships directly impact how we think and feel.

Ayurveda helps us remember we have choices in life, as opposed to being in reaction to it.

We can continue with a mindset, and way of approaching life, that depletes health and well being, or start making shifts to bring a more harmonious, healthier way of existing.

Basics of Ayurveda

All things including us are different (unique) compositions of the the five elements: earth; water; fire; air and space/ether.

“Dosha” is the name given to how these five elements behave in our body and mind. We each have a unique cocktail of all five. This is called prakriti in Ayurveda and you can think of it like your DNA blueprint.

As an individual we are seen as a unique microcosm of the macrocosm (the greater environment). 

Just as your body is made up of trillions of cells, your whole body/organism is part of a vast universal organism consisting of planets and star constellations.

More about Doshas

“As is the atom-  so is the universe”

Dosha as it is pronounced is the organising of the elements in our human organism.

Ayurveda splits the five elements into three doshas.

Vata | air and space | the principle of movement

Pitta | fire and water | the principle of heat and transformation

Kapha | earth and water | the principle of structure and form

We have all three of these doshas within us, in unique and varying combinations. 

Dosha actually means excess/dominant and what this signifies is that we all have one (dosha) that is more prominent in us at birth. This is known as our prakriti and the idea is to live in a way that keeps our unique prakriti stable, in a life of continual change. 

Think of it like surfing a wave: you move with it, and ideally staying on top without getting pulled down beneath, as the wave moves towards the shore.

How to discover your (Prakriti) type

Firstly - don’t get attached to knowing your type. This is only a preliminary way of reviewing what’s going on and why you are prone to certain symptoms.

There are many ways to determine prakriti, and a very basic summary of the physical and mental qualities of each dosha are outlined below. Before our online zoom session, I’ll send you an online wellness form to complete. This usually takes about 45-60 minutes to fill in. It asks questions on overall health including- sleep patterns and your emotional and digestive health. You are asked to email in pictures of your face, eyes tongue and a full body shot. This information along with general observation during our interactions helps me determine your natural dosha type.

VATA | The Visionary | Creative, Communicator, Multitasker

Vata people are usually:  of a slim frame, whether tall or short (think small boned) with (generally) dry skin and hair. Vata types are always “doing” or multitasking, walking and talking fast! Can be prone to constipation, bloating and gas.

When balanced this type is creative, light, flexible in nature, inspirational and communicative.

When imbalanced, can become addictive, anxious/fearful, scatty, prone to insomnia, dryness, nerves and distraction.

PITTA | The Leader | Analytical, Ambitious, Naturally Competitive 

Driven, ambitious, love knowledge/understanding how things work, of athletic build and prone to get hot easily. Pitta types tend to have a fast metabolism.

When balanced they are warm, courageous, they exhibit leadership qualities and are excellent strategists and executors.

When imbalanced they can be prone to inflammation in body and mind! Anything that has “itis” attached to it; heartburn, acidity, sensitive skin/skin issues. They default to: anger, jealousy, envy, competitive and over-pushy, controlling/micro-managing behaviours.

KAPHA | The Consistent Manager | Nurturer, Loyal, Steadfast

Typically there are heavier frames with large solid bones, soft skin and plentiful thick hair. Slower to move in contrast to the other two doshas. Can have a slow, sluggish digestion/metabolism but are steadfast, loving and of good stamina. Prone to mucus infections, sinuses issues and chesty coughs.

When balanced (sattvic) they are supportive, loyal, loving, nurturing (think the earth mother/father types), steadfast.

When imbalanced they can become too attached, materialistic, lazy, greedy, and prone to weight gain; with too much mucus in the system.

By determining your unique “type”/stamp (prakriti) you can start to make healthier choices to help you be the most productive, creative, successful, healthy being you can be. 

Learn more about Ayurveda, how to create better digestive health, understand more about your constitution and how to align your daily routine and diet to optimise your health.