Ayurveda 101 – An Introduction to Ayurvedic Principals

By the end of reading Ayurveda 101 – An Introduction to Ayurvedic Principles, you will have a basic understanding of the Ayurvedic system.

We will cover:

  • A Brief Overview
  • The Doshas and the Five Elements
  • The Digestive Fire – Agni

So let’s get stuck in…

Ayurveda 101 – A Brief Overview

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Ayurveda is known as ‘The Science Of Life’.

Originating in India and tried-and-tested for some 5000 years, Ayurveda is also known as the Sister Science to Yoga.

Designed to optimize health and vitality in body, mind, and spirit, Ayurveda’s purpose is to enable us to lead a long and healthy life, achieving our life purpose.

According to Ayurveda, our life purpose consists of:

Dharma – our meaningful duty in work and relationships.

Artha – our need to support ourselves financially.

Kama – fulfilling our desires physically and psychologically), and Moksha (achieving salvation through spiritual growth.

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and well-being that focuses on keeping the body, mind, and energy flow in balance. Illness and disease only occur when an imbalance is present.

Not only does Ayurveda treat illness and disease, but it also serves as a preventative measure. As the saying goes, “Prevention is the cure!”

Ayurveda aims to address the root cause of health problems by examining all factors that could cause an imbalance based on the Ayurvedic system. It considers environmental factors such as diet, exercise, lifestyle habits, seasonal changes, toxins, and social activities.

It assesses how these environmental factors relate to individuals based on their dosha or constitution… but more on that later.

Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on treating symptoms with prescriptions, Ayurveda addresses the root cause of health issues, ensuring a holistic approach to well-being. It’s reassuring to see modern science catching up with ancient Eastern wisdom, as evidenced by the study of epigenetics, which proves how environmental factors and lifestyle choices affect our long-term health.

Even more exciting is the discovery that we have the power to influence our epigenome process by making conscious lifestyle choices. This means we can potentially reverse damage and prevent illness from occurring in the first place.

Ayurveda’s emphasis on lifestyle changes, diet, herbs, and spices for disease prevention and cure offers an accessible and sustainable way to manage our health. By embracing this modality, we can take control of our lives, health, and healing while gaining a deeper understanding of our true nature and how to live well.

The Dosha’s and the 5 Elements

Ayurveda employs a unique system and set of rules to identify what needs to be addressed, implemented or changed to maintain balance and prevent disease in the body, mind, and energy.

This system is based on the concept that all substances, including matter, energy, and human beings, are composed of five fundamental elements: Fire, Earth, Space, Air, and Water.

In Ayurveda, these elements are represented by 20 main qualities, known as ‘gunas.’ Each quality has a specific impact on the body and mind.

According to Ayurveda, since humans are made up of these five elements, we fall into one of three constitutions or doshas. These doshas are unique combinations of the elements and their corresponding qualities.

The three doshas are:

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A person can have a single dosha or a dual constitution, where they exhibit characteristics of two doshas, with one being predominant. Some individuals may even have a tri-doshic constitution, which is considered the strongest and easiest to manage.

In Sanskrit, your constitution is referred to as Prakriti, meaning nature. Determining your dosha helps you understand your true nature or self, allowing you to live in alignment with your authentic being. This, in turn, paves the way for achieving your life purpose.

Each dosha is made up of two of the five elements, meaning that our cells, tissues, and organs are also composed of these same elements. Our constitution determines how we react to various substances, as our bodies respond differently based on our unique doshic makeup.

The Dosha metaphor…

Think of your dosha as a jug filled with water. When the jug is filled to the brim, your constitution is balanced. However, if the jug overflows or is underfilled, problems can arise in the body and mind.

With the knowledge of the ‘gunas’ or qualities in substances and activities, it’s possible to counteract imbalances and restore equilibrium, allowing your entire system to thrive.

Ayurveda follows the principle that ‘like increases like.’ In other words, certain substances and activities with similar qualities can increase a particular dosha, while those with opposite qualities can decrease it. Balancing these factors helps maintain optimal health and well-being.

Ayurveda 101

Let’s take the Pitta dosha as an example, which is comprised of fire and water, resulting in its fiery nature. If a Pitta individual is frequently exposed to heating substances and environments, such as hot climates and spicy foods, their internal heat will continue to rise, causing an excess of Pitta and leading to an imbalance.

Symptoms of a Pitta imbalance might include excess body heat, acid reflux, indigestion, anger, or irritability. To counteract this, cooling remedies and lifestyle adjustments can be implemented, such as consuming cooler foods, staying in shaded areas, and avoiding potential irritants.

Understanding your dosha provides valuable insight into your unique nature and how various factors affect you. Learning about your constitution and experimenting with foods, activities, and lifestyle habits becomes a fascinating journey toward self-discovery. Knowing what to avoid and how to maintain balance can significantly enhance your overall life experience, allowing you to become the best version of yourself.

Digestive Fire – Agni

Digestion plays a big role in maintaining good health in Ayurveda. Being considered one of the three pillars of life, along with managing sleep and managing the senses and sexual energy all Ayurvedic treatment will begin by assessing these three things first.

Another metaphor for you…

Ayurveda says that digestion is like a fire in the belly, and in order for the digestion to be working at its best, it needs to well maintained and kept burning brightly.

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In Ayurveda, digestion is considered one of the three pillars of life, alongside sleep and managing the senses and sexual energy. All Ayurvedic treatments begin by assessing these three aspects.

Digestion in Ayurveda is likened to a fire in the belly. To function at its best, this fire needs to be well-maintained and burning brightly. While what we eat is essential, how we eat is equally important for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

Many factors can affect our digestive fire, leading to unpleasant symptoms like constipation, bloating, gas, and heartburn. These issues can leave us feeling lethargic and lacking energy, potentially causing more severe health complications.

Poor digestion can hinder our vitality and energy, making it difficult to fulfill our life purpose. In our busy lives, we often eat mindlessly, grabbing food without much thought. However, by treating eating as a mindful practice—much like yoga—we can improve our health and well-being.

 

To sum up

Ayurveda is a holistic health system that empowers us to reach our full potential and life purpose. As a natural method for maintaining balance in the body and mind, Ayurveda enables us to live well and stay free from disease.

By identifying our dosha, understanding our true nature, and making appropriate lifestyle adjustments, we can achieve optimal functioning of body, mind, and soul. Embrace Ayurvedic principles to unlock a life filled with energy and vitality!

I hope you found this introduction to Ayurvedic principles enjoyable and informative!

Ayurvedic Lifestyle Advisor

If you’re intrigued by Ayurveda’s potential to transform your life, consider exploring how this ancient wisdom can support your unique needs. As an Ayurvedic lifestyle consultant, I can help you dive deeper into your dosha, identify personalized strategies, and guide you toward a life of balance, vitality, and fulfilment.

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