|
Ayurveda
is the science of life based on the Vedas, the Hindu books of
knowledge and wisdom. More than four thousand years old, Ayurveda
is perhaps the most complete system of living, embracing not
only medicine, but also philosophy, psychology, lifestyle, and
health.
Ayurveda
is based on the idea that the universe is composed of five basic
elements. The five elements, known as the panchamahabhutas,
combine to form the three vital energies, the doshas. The mix
of the three doshas in each of us, an inherited trait, determines
our physical constitution, called prakrti.
When
the five eternal substances - earth, water, fire, air, and space
- combine to form the human body, they do so by creating three
vital energies, or doshas. The three doshas construct and maintain
our physical beings, and they determine, by their proportions,
our unique characteristics and traits.
Vata
is the most powerful of the doshas. Formed by the interaction
of space and air, Vata is movement, the body in motion. It is
the energy of respiration, heartbeat, nerve impulse, and muscle
contraction. As such, it circulates the blood and lymph, draws
and expels air from the lungs, moves food through the digestive
system, and eliminates waste. Individuals with a Vata-dominant
body type tend to be thin and active, but lack the stamina for
prolonged activity and therefore often depend on caffeine and
sugar for stimulation. The dryness of the Vata constitution
and the consequent creakiness of their joints make them seem
almost brittle. Restlessness, hyperactivity, curiosity, and
creativity mark the Vata-dominant personality, as do rapid,
chaotic speech and frequent changes of mind.
Pitta
is formed by the interaction of fire as energy of change and
water as agent of change. The polarity of these two elements
plays an important role for Pitta. Pitta regulates the body,
controlling its metabolism. It is the body in transformation.
Thus it handles digestion of food, release and absorption of
hormones, production of heat, and cooling. Where Vata moved
nerve impulses to and within the brain, Pitta converts those
impulses to thought. The Pitta-dominant body type typically
manifests itself in a well-proportioned, muscular frame. Pitta-dominant
types tend toward lighter, more sensitive skin, often overly
sensitive. They are usually active, particularly in sports,
where they can be fiercely competitive. They are passionate
and dedicated, but can be overly competitive, intolerant, and
irritable.
Kapha
combines the structural properties of earth with water in its
role as lubricant. It builds the body and forms its structure:
skeleton, muscles, organs, ligaments, tendons, and skin are
the work of Kapha. And Kapha lubricates the body, ensuring the
smooth function of joints. With strength, stability, and solidity,
Kapha is the body in repose. Kapha-dominant individuals have
big bodies and big bones, thick hair, strong, big teeth, and
large, attractive eyes. They move slowly and gracefully, and
exhibit great endurance. They are similarly slow to anger, and
their loyalty makes them valued friends. Physically, Kapha-dominant
individuals tend toward obesity; mentally, they can be selfish,
greedy, and easily offended.
Our
physical constitution and our health both depend
on the balance and interplay of the tridoshas. But
to fully understand the energies that combine to
create a human, we must also look at the three gunas,
the psychic energies that constitute the mind.
The
most basic idea of Ayurveda is the concept of balance. We are
healthy and happy when our doshas are properly balanced. Most
disease results from an imbalance of our doshas. To heal the
disease, the Ayurvedic practitioner attempts through various
treatments to restore the balance.
The
balanced body then heals itself. In essence, Ayurveda is a system
that uses the body's own defenses to restore and maintain health
and happiness.
|
