What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda is an ancient system of healing. Its name means "the science of life" – ayur veda.
This science explains the origin of the human being and our true nature. It defines health as a balance between body, mind, and consciousness. Whatever happens to our emotions affects our physical state as well. This means the mind plays a significant role in our well-being. The mind (consciousness) is a very important part of who we are.
To the question “Why follow Ayurveda?” there is a beautiful quote:
“If you desire long life, healthy life, because you have some duties to fulfill, you want to achieve name and fame and you want to fulfill your desires – physical, mental and finally to die peacefully or to achieve moksha - liberation.”
To achieve all this, we need a healthy body. We must understand the principles of Ayurveda. The foundation of Ayurveda is the understanding that we are connected to nature and our surroundings. Everything within and around us affects us simultaneously.
According to Ayurveda, everything is composed of 5 elements – space, water, fire, air, and earth.
Our body is made of cells, and at the same time, we are a cell in the greater Universe. What we do affects others, and vice versa. Body, mind, and consciousness – when balanced on all these levels, we are healthy. Health is not just a physical state. That’s why it’s important to recognize emotional and mental issues to understand physical imbalances. These 5 elements influence us. Therefore, any changes in weather or seasons also affect our body.
The food we eat is also composed of these 5 elements. It either supports or disturbs the balance of these elements in our system. People are affected differently depending on which elements dominate in their individual constitution. While everyone contains all five, one typically dominates. This is called prakriti – our constitution in Ayurveda.
How is Ayurveda designed to help us?
There are two branches in Ayurveda:
A preventive system – how to remain healthy.
A healing system – how to recover when ill.
The most important aspect is to stay healthy, because once disease sets in, the immune system becomes compromised. Maintaining health involves understanding your individual diet, lifestyle, how to adapt to seasonal changes, and how to follow a daily routine. This is why knowing your prakriti is essential – it guides your best lifestyle and diet.
As mentioned, one element dominates and defines your constitution. This is usually determined at conception – the meeting of sperm and egg. Factors include the parents' emotions, the mother's health, the season, the time of conception, the mother’s diet, and the constitutions of both parents. That’s why children from the same parents may have different constitutions. It’s not just physical – it’s deeply emotional and energetic. This is why some people are aggressive, expressive, or passive.
Constitution is the foundation of health.
The 5 elements form the 3 doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha.
Air + a bit of space = Vata
Fire + a bit of water = Pitta
Water + a bit of earth = Kapha
People born with the Air element (Vata):
These individuals have all the qualities of wind. The main feature is mobility. Air can't be still – it moves constantly. Other traits include dryness, lightness, and coolness. Their bodies are often light, it's hard for them to gain weight, and if they do, they feel uncomfortable. They walk fast, move quickly, and are always doing something. Their skin dries easily, as do their joints. Mentally, their minds are always active and curious. Air is the energy of enthusiasm and creativity. Because air moves downward, they often have mental and physical restlessness. If out of balance, this can lead to anxiety, nervousness, or fear. Despite their creativity, they may suffer from insomnia, depression, or fatigue.
Physically, they may experience dry skin and joints (risk of osteoporosis), slow digestion, constipation, bloating, low morning energy, and low blood pressure.
What increases Vata?
A dry diet, irregular meals, excessive fasting, staying up late, lack of sleep, excessive travel, and overexercising (like running) all aggravate Vata. Eating dry or raw food especially increases it.
How to balance Vata:
Ensure enough sleep. Go to bed early and get at least 8 hours. Eat warm, home-cooked meals. Since air is cold, eating cold food worsens the imbalance. Food should be nourishing and easy to digest, without excess. Eat simply – one cooked dish, not a mix. Use good oils – the best is sesame oil, which supports bones and can be added to food or taken in small amounts. Sesame oil massage, especially in cold weather, is excellent – particularly for the feet before sleep.
Meditation and yoga are helpful. Vata governs the mind, and although calming the mind may feel hard, it will happen gradually. Sudarshan Kriya, Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), and Bhramari help relax the nervous system. Vayu Mudra also helps – inhale, place the hands in mudra, and observe the breath.
What are mudras?
They are hand gestures using specific finger positions. The idea is that there are energy channels – nadis – two main ones: solar and lunar. These connect to hundreds of channels throughout the body. Energy should move upward. With mudras, we redirect energy flow on a subtle level. You feel this best when calm.
The 6 tastes in Ayurveda and how they affect us:
Sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. They influence the doshas:
Sweet (earth + water) → increases kapha
Sour (earth + fire) → increases kapha and pitta
Salty (water + fire) → increases kapha and pitta
Pungent (fire + air) → increases pitta and vata
Bitter (air + space) → increases vata
Astringent (air + earth) → increases vata
In Ayurveda, taste is determined by the elemental composition of food. For example, carbs are considered sweet, even if they don’t taste sugary.
People born with the Fire element (Pitta):
Pitta has 3 main qualities: heat, sharpness, and liquidity. These people often have strong bodies and fast metabolism. They are attractive and can be mentally and emotionally intense, often dominant or aggressive. Anger and irritation can lead to depression or high blood pressure. Pitta types may experience acid reflux, sensitive skin, rashes, premature greying or hair loss. Spicy, fried food, alcohol, and coffee aggravate Pitta.
Best oils: coconut oil. Best spices: cardamom, fennel, cumin, coriander, cinnamon. Vegetables high in water (raw or cooked) are also helpful. Adequate water intake protects the liver and kidneys. Pitta types benefit from relaxation and meditation to calm their strong emotions. Common issues include insomnia, headaches, and dizziness due to high acidity in the body.
People born with the Earth element (Kapha):
Kapha is formed by water and earth. These people tend to have heavier, slower bodies and metabolism. But they are also stable, calm, and emotionally grounded. Unlike vata and pitta, they take longer to react. They are emotionally steady but can become inert or lethargic if out of balance. Cold hands, preference for rest, and weight gain are common. Their minds can become sluggish, leading to conditions like obesity or diabetes.
What increases Kapha?
Foods that taste sweet, heavy meats, beer, and dairy. Avoid an idle lifestyle. Choose fiber-rich whole grains and lots of vegetables. Intermittent fasting (e.g. 12–16 hours) is beneficial, giving the body and especially the liver and pancreas time to detox and recover.
Regular exercise is essential. Cardio, jogging, and sports like football help keep cholesterol in check and blood moving.
Helpful spices include ginger, turmeric, black pepper, fenugreek, and cinnamon. Kapha types are prone to respiratory issues with excess mucus. These spices support digestion and reduce congestion.
Why is Himalayan salt beneficial?
It doesn’t cause water retention and contains easily absorbed minerals. It’s gentle on blood pressure and kidneys. In Ayurveda, “salt” typically refers to Himalayan salt. It has no iodine, but for most people, dietary sources are sufficient. Sea salt is also acceptable.
Conclusion:
Your constitution helps determine your optimal lifestyle. When the immune system is weakened, it takes time to restore balance. Prevention is key. Disease typically progresses through 6 stages – early intervention is critical.
Your prakriti (constitution) doesn’t change over your lifetime. The dominant element you're born with remains constant, though your doshas may fluctuate.
Bhuta Shuddhi – a practice of purifying and balancing the five elements – brings awareness and harmony on a deeper level.
