Discover Holistic Health With Ayurveda

‘Ayur’ stands for life and ‘Veda’ stands for science or knowledge. Ayurveda in a nutshell is the ‘science or knowledge of life’ Ayurveda originated in India over 5,000 years ago and it is the oldest practised healthcare system in the world. Ayurveda is all about the balance and understanding of the natural laws, “Mother Nature.”

Ayurveda is based on a system of elements and energies. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that every being is made up of five universal elements: space (or ether), air, fire, water, and earth. These elements combine to form three energies, or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. While one dosha may be dominant, everyone is a combination of all three. This combination may ebb and flow through the seasons of the year and the seasons of life. Students of Ayurveda believe that health and sickness are reflective of the balance, or lack, of these energies.

When there is an imbalance in the body and mind it is usually due to disharmony and disease in the mind and body. Ayurveda is a prevention to help balance and calm your mind and body so that you can live with balance. In Ayurveda they treat imbalances based on each person's unique psychology, their emotional state, and their physical elements based on each individual person, looking at that individual as a whole and figuring out where the imbalances are and getting back to a balance state. So, it's very much based on prevention and understanding of one's mind and body and how their environmental factors also contribute to imbalances.

Our body is made up of elements, so is the day, the time of the day, the food we eat, our environment, where we are in the world, different parts of the world all have different elements, so all of those things are put into consideration when we're looking at the body as a whole, our environment and where these imbalances can be coming from. It's all about strengthening the mind, body, and spirit connection.

Another thing I really love about is the mind-body-connection. I'm a really big believer in mind over matter, mind over body, mind over everything, your mind is so powerful you are able to heal your body, you are able to heal any kind of disease that you're feeling and an imbalance in your body through your mind.

Ayurveda uses many different approaches to balance one’s body and mind, these things include meditation, yoga, nutrition, massage, applying oils externally and internally using oils like coconut oil and sesame oil, things that are going to detox and nourish your body. A lot of herbs are also used in Ayurveda and are used in many different ways.

All the elements come in again when we’re talking about different approaches in Ayurveda and it's all about using nature and one’s own mind and body.

Practicing Ayurveda is like having self-care practice that we can do for ourselves every single day, most in which we may already foster into our daily routine. It is about being in tune with your body and knowing when something is out of balance or out of alignment. To step back and make certain changes so that we can feel more at ease, grounded, centred, and balanced.

Health Benefits of Ayurveda

While Ayurveda has many health benefits related to the mind and body, some of them are listed below:

• You Are Encouraged to Love Yourself

• You Get a Greater Understanding of Your Place in Life

• Toxins in the Body are Reduced

• You Learn to Clear Up Energy

• Better Health at a Cellular Level

• Stronger Digestion

• Reduced Stress and Greater Sense of Well-Being

Read on to learn more about the three doshas and holistic strategies for promoting balance. 

VATA

Vatas are full of creative and artistic energy and are always on the go. Elements: Air and space

Physical Traits: Thin, agile, dry skin and hair, cold hands and feet, sensitive digestion

Emotional Traits: Spontaneous, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, energetic, loves new experiences Communication Style: Loves to talk and share wisdom with others

In Balance	​Out of Balance
Energetic	Anxious
Creative	Overactive mind
Adaptable	Insomnia
Shows initiative	​Starts, but does not finish, many projects
Strong communicator	​Struggles to communicate effectively
Healthy digestion	​Poor digestion, leading to gas, bloating, or irregular bowel movements

PITTA

Pittas are leaders, teachers, and competitors. Elements: Fire and water

Physical Traits: Medium build, often feels hot, oily skin, frequently hungry, digestion works in overdrive

Emotional Traits: Organised, passionate, focused

Communication Style: Direct and focused, can be impatient toward others when imbalanced

In Balance	Out of Balance
Good leader	Demanding
Warm	Aggressive
​Good decision maker	Judgmental
Friendly	Impatient with others
Healthy digestion	Digestion in overdrive, leading to loose bowel movements

KAPHA

Kaphas are calm, grounding forces and nurturers. Elements: Water and earth

Physical Traits: Heavier body with a tendency to gain weight, large eyes, sinus infections, allergies Emotional Traits: Calm, thoughtful, patient, empathetic

Communication Style: Very good listener, supportive

In Balance	Out of Balance
Loyal	Dull
Strong	Needy
Supportive	Overweight
Patient	Overprotective
Steady	Resistant to change

Whats is your Dosha?

DISCOVER YOUR AYURVEDIC MIND-BODY TYPE WITH BEST-SELLING AUTHOR SAHARA ROSE’S ONE-OF-A-KIND DOSHA QUIZ

There is so much to learn about Ayurveda, and it can be a complex topic to learn about if you are wanting to explore further and go more in depth. Click Here if interested to learn more.