Ayurveda - The Knowlege of Life
“It is called Ayurveda, because it tells us which substances, qualities and actions are life enhancing and which are not” - Caraka Samhita (Sutrashtana 30.23)
“Plants, which as receptacles of light, were born three ages before the gods - I honor your myriad colors and your seven-hundred natures…May you of a hundred powers make whole what has been hurt. Plants, our mothers and goddesses…May I gain energy, light and sustenance. As they fell from heaven the plants said, ‘The living soul we pervade, that man will suffer no harm’. The herbs that are in the kingdom of the moon…for the fulfillment of wishes, as peace to the heart.” - Rig Veda X.97
Ayurveda, as the oldest and most enduring healing tradition in the world, has given us a unique understanding of how the world around us came to be and how the world manifests in us and through us. To see the world as the original rishis (“seers”) of Ayurveda saw it, is to go back to a time and place where people lived in harmony with the cycles of nature and had the deepest reverence and gratitude for the natural world. The gods and goddesses were to be found in nature. Nature was worshiped as “Gaia” - a living, breathing entity, a union of the 5 great elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth), a manifestation of their respective qualities and their interaction with each other. There was no separation between people and nature. We were (and are) a part of “Gaia” - taking care of her meant taking care of us and vice-versa. Our health was reflected in her health - her health mirrored in us…
Ayurveda, as a complete holistic health care system, incorporates herbal medicines, food, massage, sensory therapies, detoxification programs and anti-aging rejuvenation programs to maintain and promote health. The focus is always on the prevention of imbalance - maintaining the harmony of the doshas in our unique constitutions, preventing them from accumulating and creating disease. Ayurveda is not just a health care model. It is a complete philosophy of the understanding of mind, body and spirit. It is a teacher and a guide, helping us navigate the waters of life with a deep understanding of our own inner nature and higher potential.
We are a microcosm of the macrocosm - all that is found in nature can be found within us. The 5 great elements and the 3 universal qualities (known as “sattva”, “rajas” and “tamas” – balance, activity and stability) form the 3 “Doshas” of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. An understanding of the functions and interactions of the doshas as well as their respective manifestations in our bodies and minds is the most fundamental and important concept in Ayurveda.
“Doshas” are defined in many ways: bio-energies, functional principles, humours and constitution are some of the main ways we define “Doshas”. Dosha is the Ayurvedic term that describes our inherited traits and individual unique characteristics, as well as or tendencies for imbalance. We all have a different balance of the 3 doshas within us. The 5 great elements come together to form Vata, Pitta and Kapha which exist in all of us in different amounts and manifestations. The normal balance of the doshas is what makes up our “prakriti”- our unique constitution.
While our constitution does not change, the doshas as functional principles are constantly changing and interacting with each other. The changes of the seasons, the different foods and substances we take in and all that we “digest” from our sensory experiences can maintain or disrupt the harmony of the doshas. If we are not living in harmony with nature and maintaining the balance of the doshas in our individual constitution, then the qualities of the doshas can accumulate in us – creating imbalance. The abnormal state of the doshas is known as “vikriti”.
Ether is the principle of space and pervasiveness. Its qualities of expansiveness, lightness and clarity combine with Air and its qualities of mobility, coldness, dryness, roughness and variability to become Vata dosha. Its primary function is regulation of all movement and “impulses” in the body. The flow of the breath, the circulation of the blood, the functions of the nervous system, the elimination of wastes, even the movement of thoughts and the function of the intellect are governed by Vata.
Fire is the principle of illumination. Its qualities are hot, sharp, penetrating, luminous and dispersing. These qualities combine with the Water element and its qualities of flowing, lubricating and softening to form Pitta dosha. Pitta’s primary function in the body is transformation. It is the metabolic activity, digestive functions and endocrine activity. Pitta gives color, warmth, courage, vigor and critical thinking.
Earth is the principle of cohesion and stability. Its qualities of heaviness, solidity, hardness, density and thickness combine with the Water element qualities of cold, wet, heavy and soft to form Kapha dosha. Kapha’s primary function is to hold the body together. It gives form and shape, promotes development, protects and lubricates. Kapha is nurturing and promotes contentment and love
When the respective qualities of the doshas accumulate in us, the doshas can be come aggravated, “overflowing” and “relocating” into the different tissues and channels in our bodies, causing imbalance and disease.
The highest goal of Ayurveda is not just the prevention of “vikriti”, but to cultivate the higher essences of the doshas: Prana, Tejas and Ojas. Prana is universal life-force, the breath and vital energy within us. Tejas is fire behind higher truth perception - our aura, radiance and glow. Ojas is our essence. It is the essential nurturing, strengthening, immune enhancing power behind all creativity and health.
While Ayurvedic herbal remedies- in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle- maintain health and well-being, they are also powerful allies in helping our body’s innate healing capacity to restore our life force, radiance and vitality when we have gone into a state of imbalance.
The 5 Elements…
Ether is the principle of space and pervasiveness. Its qualities of expansiveness, lightness and clarity combine with Air and its qualities of mobility, coldness, dryness, roughness and variability to become Vata dosha. Its primary function is regulation of all movement and “impulses” in the body. The flow of the breath, the circulation of the blood, the functions of the nervous system, the elimination of wastes, even the movement of thoughts and the function of the intellect are governed by Vata.
Fire is the principle of illumination. Its qualities are hot, sharp, penetrating, luminous and dispersing. These qualities combine with the Water element and its qualities of flowing, lubricating and softening to form Pitta dosha. Pitta’s primary function in the body is transformation. It is the metabolic activity, digestive functions and endocrine activity. Pitta gives color, warmth, courage, vigor and critical thinking.
Earth is the principle of cohesion and stability. Its qualities of heaviness, solidity, hardness, density and thickness combine with the Water element qualities of cold, wet, heavy and soft to form Kapha dosha. Kapha’s primary function is to hold the body together. It gives form and shape, promotes development, protects and lubricates. Kapha is nurturing and promotes contentment and love
When the respective qualities of the doshas accumulate in us, the doshas can be come aggravated, “overflowing” and “relocating” into the different tissues and channels in our bodies, causing imbalance and disease.
The highest goal of Ayurveda is not just the prevention of disease and imbalances, but to cultivate the higher essences of the doshas: Prana, Tejas and Ojas. Prana is universal life-force, the breath and vital energy within us. Tejas is fire behind higher truth perception - our aura, radiance and glow. Ojas is our essence. It is the essential nurturing, strengthening, immune enhancing power behind all creativity and health.
Vata body types have a smaller bone structure, are usually thin and either very tall or short. They have very variable agni (digestive “fire”) and a variable emotional nature. They are the most inconsistent of the 7 body types and are always in a state of flux. Vata types are cold, dry, hyperactive and tend to have very sensitive immune and nervous systems. When imbalanced, they will have gas, constipation, cramping and pain. Their skin and hair will be dry, they will have a very hard time feeling warm and grounded, they will talk fast and feel anxious and overwhelmed. When balanced, Vata types have good energy, are charismatic, creative, adaptable, social and curious. Vata types love music, acting and the arts, traveling and learning about different cultures and are interested in many different pursuits. With their sensitive natures, vata types can feel shifts in their health and energy very quickly when they incorporate Ayurvedic guidelines for their health and life style.
Pitta body types have medium-strong builds, are usually warm and “hot blooded” and have very strong agni and metabolism. They have good circulation and good immune systems. They are very intellectual, focused, determined and courageous. Healthy pitta types become powerful business people, community leaders, politicians and athletes. When imbalanced the fire element manifests in them as inflammation, diarrhea, heart burn, red/burning skin, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and early balding/greying. Emotionally, they can get very angry, jealous, envious, competitive and egotistical. Pitta people respond well to a well thought out plan for healthcare and often like to see a lot of scientific evidence.
Kapha body types have the largest body structure, are cold and damp, tend to be slower moving and “laid back” and have the strongest immune systems. They have very good endurance, stability, loyalty and are full of love when in balance. They are the most giving types and very family oriented. Kapha types have a slow agni and can easily gain weight. When imbalanced Kapha types will suffer from obesity, diabetes, dull mindedness, over sleeping, depression and lack of motivation. They can easily get stick in a rut and have a hard type making the changes necessary to bring them back into balance.
Vata-Pitta types, as a dual natured body type can suffer the imbalances of either vata or pitta. In the section on the different seasons, you will learn how to make appropriate adjustments for dual natured types based on the seasons. Generally, this body type is thin to medium build and will have a stonger and less variable agni then the pure vata type. The combination of creativity, motivation, drive and focus from the 2 doshas can help these types excel and succeed in business and other pursuits. However, when imbalanced the situation is one of wind blowing fire. Like a wildfire on a dry, windy day – this can be a very destructive combination. Imbalanced V-P types can be irritable, restless, anxious, agitated, angry and can easily “fly off the handle”.
Vata-Kapha types are very unique. Usually, the kapha qualities will be more dominant and physically the person will be of a larger bone structure, stronger and more well formed then the pure vata type. Mentally, this person may still be sensitive but will be more grounded and patient then the pure vata type. Physically, they they can get both imbalances of either vata or kapha nature, but to a lesser degree. Since both vata and kapha doshas are lacking fire, this person will often be cold. Vata-Kapha types will tell you that they hate the cold and have to be where it is warm. Where a vata type will do best in warm/moist conditions and a kapha type in hot/dry conditions, a VK type will do best in a more warm-neutral climate. They dont do well with any extremes. This person will often have a quicker mind and be more creative then a pure kapha type. Combined with the groundedness and gentle nature of kapha, this makes for a great combination for creative arts – especially long term projects.
Pitta-Kapha types are stong and have great endurance. They tend to excel at physical sports (think NFL linebacker) and other jobs and activities that require courage, discipline and loyalty. They need to be challenged and engaged fully in life or they can become depressed. They will exhibit qualities of both pitta and kapha and the combination of earth, water and fire can lead a lack of creativity, inability to change and a stubborn mental nature. Physical complaints such as congestion, constipation and other blockages such as clogged arteries are common in these types.
Tri-doshic (Vata-Pitta-Kapha) types are rare, but are the most balanced of all the constitutions. They are the least likely to get sick, have a positive and steady mental disposition and will often be very attractive. These body types tend to be very in touch with their bodies and minds and know how to take good care of themselves. They often live long, healthy and happy lives. Sometimes, they can be imbalanced but usually they recover quickly. They can suffer from mild forms of disturbance to any of the three doshas at times and usually it is vata imbalances that are hardest for them to overcome.
Agni and Ama
As I mentioned earlier, agni is the concept of the “digestive fire” in Ayurveda. It is one of the most important concepts in ayurveda related to food, nutrition and overall health. There are many digestive fires in our bodies. The JatharAgni in the digestive track and the BhutaAgnis in the liver are the main one we concern ourselves when dealing with the absorption, assimilation and metabolism of foods. Other agnis in the body reside in the tissues, organs and channels and are responsible for all forms of transformations and changes in the body. Agni can most closely be translated as “enzymes” from the western nutritional perspective. Enzymes are actually a group of proteins that link up with particles and transform them. Regardless of a persons constitution or food choices, having a balanced agni is the most important aspect of Ayurvedic nutritional therapy. Since all the body types have different agnis, different approaches are necessary to create balance in each person. Vata leads to a variable agni. Pitta leads to a high agni and kapha to a low agni. Eating the right foods, herbs and spices as well as having good eating habits, will ensure a balanced agni. When agni is “manda” (slow), “tikshna” (sharp and intense), or Vishamna (irregular) then un-metabolized wastes can form from the substances we take in.
When agni is imbalanced and we eat foods that are unhealthy, processed, devitalized and full of chemicals then Ama is created. Ama is the word used in Ayurveda to describe the toxins that are formed in the digestive tract from improperly digested foods and from other unnatural substances that enter the body. Ama mixes with the doshas to create disease in the body. Some signs that ama is accumulating in the body are: tiredness, allergies, skin break outs, colds and flus, candida, frequent headaches, aches and pains and a dull mind. The tongue is also a usful map to show us the state of the organs, if ama is present and even how balanced our agni is. While tongue diagnosis is a sophisticated healing art that takes years to perfect, you can get in the habit of checking your tongue everyday to look for a few key signs of imbalance. For vata types, when your tongue is very dark, dry, has cracks on it and a greyish film over the back 1/3 those are all signs that there is excess vata and ama in your system. For pitta types, look for a very red tongue with yellow/green film over the center part as signs of excess pitta and ama. Cancer sores and red bumps on the tongue are also signs of excess pitta. Kapha accumulation and ama are shown on the tongue when the tongue is very thick, damp and covered in a white film.
When a lot of ama is formed in the body, Ayurveda recommends a several week cleanse called Pancha Karma to ensure the proper removal of Ama and excess doshas from the body. There are many other ways to rid the body of ama on a regular basis as well such as drinking a lot of fresh spring water, doing gentle liver and colon cleanses, periodic fasts, “mono” diets and the regular use of herbs and spices appropriate for your individual needs.
It is said that the doshas reside in the digestive tract. When the respective qualities of the doshas accumulate in the digestive tract we first experience the manifestations of their imbalance as digestive irregularities. In other words, it is through appropriate foods and dietary guidelines that we can best keep the doshas at bay and functioning properly in our bodies. As mentioned earlier, the doshas can be come aggravated through inappropriate food and lifestyle choices, “overflowing” and “relocating” into the different tissues and channels in our bodies (known as dhatus and srotas), causing imbalance and disease.
The 7 dhatus, or tissues are Rasa - plasma, Rakta - blood, Mamsa - muscle, Meda - fat, Asthi – bone, Majja – marrow/nerves and Shukra – reproductive fluid. Each of these tissues has “sub tissues known as upadhatus as seen in the chart below. The mala is the waste product of the tissue. When the doshas are in balance and we are healthy then there are positive expressions of the dhatus. Once the doshas get aggravated and overflow into the channels and tissues of our bodies then we will see negative physical and emotional expressions of their imbalance.
The dhatus, in addition to air, food, liquids, doshas, wastes and even our thoughts and emotions are said to flow through 16 major channels called srotas, that link the entire body and mind. In addition to the 7 dhatu srotas (tissue channels) there are 9 other channels that carry air/life force energy (prana), food (anna), water (ambhu), feces (purisha), urine (mutra), sweat (sveda), breast milk (Stanya), menstrual fluids (atarva), and thoughts (mano).
Excess flow, deficient flow, blockage of flow and overflow within the channels are causes of imbalance and disease. Vata constricts, dries, tightens, hardens and cools the channels. Pitta expands, inflames, swells and irritates the channels. Kapha causes accumulations, blockages, deposits and wastes to build up in the channels.