Ayurveda - the Science of Life
Ayurveda is an ancient healing wisdom that originated in India around 5.000 years ago.
Ayurveda has a holistic approach, seeing the human being as a unity of body, mind and soul.
The focus is on treating and removing the cause of imbalance and disease. Ayurveda is also a preventive science and can detect imbalances at a very early stage and thus in many cases prevent disease.
Doshas
An important concept in Ayurveda is the three different forces, called the Doshas. The doshas are: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
We have all three doshas in us but in different quantities. Each person's unique combination of these energies constitutes our body and personality. This is fully acknowledged in Ayurvedic medicine, so all advice and treatments are always individually tailored.
We are born with this unique combination of the doshas - our basic constitution or Prakriti as it is called. Our prakriti does not change, but the doshas in us can become imbalanced due to various reasons such as stress, wrong lifestyle, wrong food, unfavourable environment, etc. The goal is to always get back in balance, as imbalances can otherwise develop into illness.
The different doshas have their specific properties and control separate functions in the body and mind.
Functions of the doshas
Vata: All kinds of movement in body and mind.
Pitta: All metabolism - in the stomach as well as in the cells - and also the processing of thoughts and impressions.
Kapha: Stability and structure. Lubricates the joints.
Characteristics of the doshas
Vata: Dry, light, cold, subtle, mobile, irregular, fast.
Pitta: Hot, sharp, slightly oily, mobile, slightly moist, sour.
Kapha: Heavy, cold, moist, slow, oily, static.
Basic constitutions
You can either be a pure Vata, Pitta or Kapha-person or a combination of two of these. There are individuals who are equally of all the doshas, but that is unusual.
Below is a summary of some of the most characteristic features of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha characters, respectively.
Vata people
Small, short or tall and thin
Enthusiastic
Moves quickly
Rapid speech
Creative
Learn quickly - forget easily
Pitta people
Average size
Goal oriented
Ambitious/driven
Speaks clearly
Sharp
Learn easily
Kapha people
Larger frame
Calm and stable aura
Good memory
Patient
Moves rather slowly
Speaks slowly