Life in Ayurveda is conceived as the union of body, senses, mind and soul. The living man is a conglomeration of three humors (Vata, Pitta & Kapha), seven basic tissues (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja & Shukra) and the waste products of the body i.e. mala, mutra and sweda. Thus, the total body matrix comprises the humors, the tissues and the waste products of the body.
The growth and decay of this body matrix and its constituents revolve around food which gets processed into humors, tissues and wastes. Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of food have an interplay in health and disease which are significantly affected by psychological mechanisms as well as by bio-fire (Agni).
Role of Doshas
In Ayurveda, body, mind and Consciousness Work together in maintaining balance. They are simply viewed as different facets of one's being. To learn how to balance the body, mind and consciousness requires an understanding of how vata, pitta and kapha work together.
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the entire cosmos is an interplay of the energies of the five great elements- Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Vata, pitta and kapha are combinations and permutations of these five elements that manifest as patterns present in all creation.
In the physical body, vata is the subtle energy of movement, pitta the energy of digestion and metabolism, and kapha the energy that forms the body's structure.
The following characteristics will give you an idea of which dosha type you are likely to be
Vata - (Air +Space) Dry, Light, Cold, Rough, Subtle, Mobile, Clear
Pitta - (Fire + Water) Oily, Sharp, Hot, Light, Mobile, Liquid
Cough - (Earth + Water) Heavy, Cold, Slow, oily, Slimy (Smooth), Dense, Soft, static (Stable), Cloudy
Vata (the energy of movement)
Vata is the subtle energy associated With movement- composed of Space and Air. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes.
In balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety.
General guidelines for balancing vata:
- Keep warm
- Keep calm
- Avoid cold, frozen or raw foods
- Avoid extreme cold
- Eat warm foods and spices Keep a regular routine
- Get plenty of rest
Foods to Eat-
- Sweet fruit such as cooked apples or cherries
- Cooked vegetables like asparagus or beets
- Grains including quinoa or rice Red lentils, Dairy products (in moderation)
- Beef, Eggs, Fish
- Black pepper, vinegar Peanuts and pecans, Chia or flax seeds
- Sesame oil and ghee
Foods to Avoid-
- Dried fruit
- Raw apples and watermelon Frozen, raw or adried vegetables
- Potatoes, Barley, Corn, Chickpeas, Split peas Yogurt, Lamb, Turkey, Red wine
- Chocolate
Dos and Don'ts-
I should=
- Drink hot water with ginger daily Cook or steam vegetables
- Daily self-massage with sesame oil Sleep before 10 pm
- Express your creativity
- Have frequent hot bath Slow down/Meditate
- Use a tongue srapper
- Eat 3 nutritious meals a day
- Daily moderate exercise like yoga
I should not=
- Frequently drink coffee
- Eat raw vegetables
- Stay up late
- Overthink or stress out
- Drink cold drinks
- Eat pungent, bitter, astringent food
- Get involved in vigorous exercise
- Skip meals
- Have alcoholic beverages
- Have cold showers
Pitta (the energy of transformation)
Pitta expresses the body's metabolic system- made up of Fire and Water. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence.
Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy.
General guidelines for balancing pitta
- Avoid excessive heat
- Avoid excessive oil
- Avoid excessive steam
- Limit salt intake
- Eat cooling, non-spicy foods
- Exercise during the cooler part of the day
Foods to Eat-
- Sweet or bitter vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower
- Raisins, Watermelon, Dry Cereals, Pasta
- Black beans
- Unsalted butter, Chicken (white meat)
- Coconut, Almonds
- Egg whites, Alcoholic
- Drinks
Foods to Avoid-
- Pungent vegetables like onion or raw leeks
- Sour fruits, Spinach
- Bread made with yeast, Brown rice Rye, Soy sauce, Salted butter
- Sour cream, Beef, Chili Pepper
- Chicken (dark meat)
- Seafood other than shrimp
- Chocolate
Dos and Don'ts
I should=
- Daily self massage with coconut oil
- Daily tongue scrapping
- Moderate exercise like jogging or pilates
- Drink room temperature water Add cooling spices to your meals
- Meditate to practice patience
- Take a break from work
- Involve in leadership roles
I should not=
- Have spicy food
- Have too much cafteine
- Skip a meal
- Have sour, salty and pungent tastes
- Take steam hot showers
- Overwork myself
- Hang out in hot temperatures for long time
Kapha (the energy of lubrication and structure)
Kapha is the energy that forms the body's structure -bones, muscles, tendons and provides the "glue" that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems.
It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy.
General guidelines for balancing kapha:
- Get plenty of exercise
- Avoid heavy foods Keep active
- Avoid dairy
- Avoid iced food or drinks
- Vary your routine
- Avoid fatty, oily foods
- Eat light, dry food
- No daytime naps
Foods to Eat-
- Astringent fruit like applesauce or prunes
- Pungent or bitter vegetables like celery or carrots
- Lima beans, Cottage cheese, Buttermilk
- Shrimp
Foods to Avoid-
- Sweet or sour fruits like grapefruit or figs
- Sweet or juicy vegetables like Cucumber
- Cooked oats, Rice, Pasta, Pancakes
- Kidney beans
- Fish, Alcoholic beverages
- Ketchup
Dos and Don'ts
I should=
- Daily self massage with sesame oil
- Do vigorous physical exercise Involve in social activities
- Eat more warm, dry foods Practice self-love, meditation
- Drink mood-booster teas like green tea or regular tea
- Have limited meals
- Eat more bitter, pungent and astringent tastes
I should not=
- Oversleep/ get stuck in a lazy daily routine
- Eat more sweet, sour and salty tastes
- Drink more calming teas like chamomile or lavender
- Take cold showers
- Eat more sugary treats
- Eat cool or moist quality foods
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