Ayurveda is a system of holistic health and well-being, which seeks to ensure good health by promoting balance between the mind, body, spirit and environment.
It was developed more than 5000 years ago when Indian sages went to the Himalayas to meditate on the secrets of health and balance. Ayurveda means ‘knowledge of life’ in Sanskrit.
In Ayurveda, everything is interconnected, both the living and the non-living. In addition, everything is made up of the five elements of earth, fire, water, ether and air. To maintain good health, an individual requires a balance of these elements and a harmony with the rest of the universe.
When the elements within the individual are balanced and the harmony between the individual and the universe is maintained, good health, both physically, emotionally and spiritually will be the result. A disruption in the elements within the body, or in the relationship with the environment can lead to ill health.
How Ayurveda helps achieve balance and harmony?
Because Ayurveda is a holistic practice, it seeks to find the underlying cause of illness rather than treating the symptoms. According to Ayurvedic principles, any health or wellbeing problem, including problems with the environment, relationships or work, will be rooted in an imbalance. By discovering the cause of the disturbance and bringing the elements back to balance, good health and well-being can be restored.
What are the elements we need to balance?
According to Ayurveda, everything in the universe is made up of five elements: earth, fire, water, air and ether (space). Each of the elements relates to certain principles in the universe and governs specific functions within the body.
Within the universe:
• Earth is related to stability
• Water is related to instability and liquidity
• Fire is related to heat and transformation
• Air is related to mobility and lack of form
• Ether is related to expansiveness.
Within the individual body, the elements combine to form Doshas. There are three Doshas: Vata,, Kapha and Pitta.
• Vata Dosha is a combination of air and space and controls the basic body functions such as cell division. Vata is also responsible for emotions, physical activity, understanding and creativity.
• Pitta Dosha is a combination of water and fire. Pitta is responsible for the digestive and metabolic systems. A healthy Pitta manifests in a good appetite and energy levels, and also healthy hair, skin and eyes. It also helps with mental focus and organizational skills.
• Kapha Dosha is a combination of earth and water. Kapha is responsible for muscle growth, stability and strength and a healthy immune system. Kapha qualities also include emotional stability.
Each person has a unique mix of these Doshas as a result of both inheritance and environmental factors. Imbalances in these Doshas are what, according to Ayurveda, cause ill health. Keeping these Doshas in balance leads to health, vitality, energy and harmony.
So the first step to take to improve health with Ayurveda is to discover your Dosha. Once you know your dosha, you can make diet and lifestyle changes to restore your body, mind and spirit to a state of balance and harmony.
To find your dosha read our article Discover Your Dosha