Introduction to Ayurveda

Introduction to Ayurveda

AYURVEDA BASICS
A beginning exploration of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a natural system of healing. It recognizes that human beings are much more than a physical body, rather multidimensional beings with layers of emotion and intuition. The practice

of Ayurveda focuses on prevention and balance. Ayurveda empowers each individual with the tools, knowledge and understanding to take charge of their health and wellbeing.

The Principles of Ayurveda

The Five Elements

In Ayurveda, the universe, the world, all matter, and all living things (including people) are composed of five elements: Space (or Ether), Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. These elements exist not only in nature, but also in the body where they represent unique characteristics and traits. Knowing the physical and energetic characteristics of each of the elements is key to understanding Ayurveda. From a thought to a tree to a human being, the five elements are the building blocks of all matter.

Ether – empty, light, subtle
Air – mobile, dry, light, direction, clear
Fire – hot, transformative, penetrating, radiant, formless
Water – fluid, flowing, liquid, life, primary element with 70% of the body being water
Earth – solid, stable, inertia, firm, slow moving, heavy

The Doshas

The five elements combine in various ways to form three constitutional principles, known in Ayurveda as doshas. Every dosha is made up of two of the five elements with one being dominant. These are:

Vata

Elements: Air + Ether
Characteristics: Cold, dry, light
Actions: That which moves things

Pitta

Elements: Fire + Water
Characteristics: Hot, wet, light
Actions: That which digests things

Kapha

Elements: Earth + Water
Characteristics: Cold, wet, heavy
Actions: That which holds things together

Agni

In Ayurveda, Agni is our digestive fire and the energy that digests anything we consume with any of the sense organs. The digestive fire is responsible for all transformation in the body including metabolism, absorption and elimination. Not only do you digest food, but also emotions, senses and experiences. Similarly, not only do we consume food. We also consume what we eat, what we look at, what we listen to, etc. What we expose ourselves to (take in through the senses) Agni is what allows us to transform it into consciousness. If Agni is not strong and burning bright, you feel stuck and depleted mentally and physically. Vitality is reduced and the disease process begins. A balanced Agni is key to good health, great living and longevity.

Prakriti

The proportions of the three doshas determines your prakriti, which is your natural constitution given at the moment of birth. This includes your skin color, height, hair color, and other characteristics. Even though one or two may be predominant in your constitution, all three doshas are present in each of us. How close you are to your constitutional balance will determine your physical health, mental clarity, state of vitality and sense of well-being.

Vikriti

Our doshas are fluid , dynamic, and ever-moving, like the seasons. Similarly, our vikriti shifts over the course o the year and throughout your life. Your vikriti is affected by your lifestyle, environment and diet. Our vikriti is our current state or present condition, the elemental makeup of your body’s relationship with our current environment.

6 Signs of True Health

Health is more than the absence of disease in the body. Health is an understanding and engagement of the inner mind. Additionally, from a more physical perspective, the six signs of health include:

Clear, supple skin
Clear, bright eyes
Easy and regular elimination of urine, feces, sweat and tears
Even energy throughout the day
Calm and harmonious demeanor
Sound and restful sleep, waking up refreshed

4 Pillars of Health

The four pillars of health include diet, lifestyle, quality of sleep and management of sexual energy. The four pillars incorporate the what, when and how to help build a strong foundation for health and longevity. The pillars are interrelated and maintaining a holistic balance of the four pillars creates harmony and health in the body and mind.

Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is based on the following principles:

There is no “one size fits all.”
Food is medicine.
Foods should change wit the seasons.
Like increases like and opposites attract.
You are what you digest, i.e. food, emotions, senses and experiences.
Nutrition is anything we take in through our senses.
Health is holistic

Ayurveda recognizes that human beings are much more than the physical body, rather multidimensional beings with layers of emotion and intuition. Ayurveda is a highly individualized approach to wellness that is based on the principles of living in harmony with the cycles and rhythms of nature.

The more you let Ayurveda

and Yoga become the basis for

your living, the easier living gets.

– Myra Lewin

Ayurveda is a holistic health system. It’s a way of living that can help each of us to claim and celebrate our capacity for wellness. Ayurveda can help us:

Realize our truest inner nature
Honor and develop our strengths
Hone in on our challenge areas
Redirect detrimental tendencies
Maintain balance in the face of adversity
Maintain calm in the chaos

In other words, Ayurveda is not simply about taking an herbal formula and waiting for the results. Instead, Ayurveda encourages you to be an active participant in your own journey toward healing.