What is Ayurveda & How Can this Ancient Medicine Enhance My Wellness?
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a universal and timeless system of holistic medicine that originated in India ~5000 years ago and is considered to be the sister science to Yoga. The mind, body, and spirit are all considered to be important aspects of healing and health maintenance. Things like herbal medicine, nutrition, special self-care practices, routines, & body therapies, along with lifestyle management are all used to bring balance to the individual based on their own unique constitution.
The Ayurvedic constitutions, called Doshas, describe the functions of the body and mind. Unlike personality tests where you fit into one box, according to Ayurveda, you have your own unique percentage of all three constitutions. The constitutions are described by the metaphors of the elements. To take it a step further, you have your unique balance of the Doshas at conception called your Prakruti, as well as your current state of imbalance called your Vikruti.
The Vata Dosha is described by the air and ether elements and is the energy of movement in the body for example breathing, muscle movement, the heartbeat, elimination, the circulation, absorption and release. Vata also characterizes the movement of the mind; when Vata is in balance there is enthusiasm, flexibility, creativity, expansiveness, and the ability to understand esoteric concepts. The body of a person who is Vata nature from conception has long/lanky bones, is naturally thin, does not produce much sweat, and tends towards dryness. The potential interests of a person of Vata nature include art, philosophy, dance/movement, jobs that include speaking, exploring / hiking, going fast / need for speed.
Symptoms/Disease: Vata is cold, dry, light, unstable, and mobile, and so symptoms of Vata Dosha imbalance take on these qualities. Examples of Vata imbalances include a dry cough, cold hands, and feet, systemic dryness, dry skin/hair/nails, poor circulation, sensitive digestion, gas, constipation, malabsorption, insomnia, forgetting to eat, worry, anxiety, PMS, twitches & tics, osteoporosis, as well as other specific disease conditions and psychological/neurological conditions. Long term Vata imbalance leads to depletion and emaciation. It may be no surprise to you then that the age of 65+ is also characterized as the Vata time of life. Aging in Ayurveda is seen as an increase in Vata.
Diet & Lifestyle: To bring balance to Vata Dosha we apply the opposite qualities. The digestive fire is strengthened with warming foods and digestive spices, to increase the fire element, as well as healthy moisture in the form of oils for Vata like sesame or avocado oil. The best tastes for Vata are sweet, salty, and sour. Food is cooked unctuous and warm, lots of soups and broths, and it is contraindicated for people with Vata Dosha to eat raw or cold foods. Since Vata Dosha inherently brings variability, Vata is reduced by having strict routines around meal times and sleep. There are specific herbs that target Vata type diseases and symptoms.
Season: Vata tends to accumulate in the body when the summer starts to cool down, and peaks in the coldest dry months of winter. Vata can also be aggravated during a change of seasons as your body adjusts to the new environment. These moments are when humans tend to catch a cold or experience cold, dry symptoms. But, this doesn’t mean this is the only time of year that you can experience a Vata imbalance. A Vata imbalance can occur at any time, however, they are more likely during the Vata time of year.
The Pitta Dosha is described by the elements of fire and water and is the energy of transformation and metabolism. Pitta Dosha governs the eyes, the skin, the lower stomach / digestive acids, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and blood. Pitta Dosha governs the "digestion" and understanding of stimuli. The body of a person who has Pitta in their constitution at conception has medium & deep-set eyes, moderate/medium features, angular bones for example a prominent jaw, medium height and musculature, as well as a tendency towards skin flushing, and warm body temperature. They have a strong digestive system and appetite. The mind of a Pitta nature individual is perceptive, intelligent, focused, and logical. They are natural-born leaders, planners, organizers, academics, and enjoy competition.
Symptoms/Disease: the fire element is hot, and so symptoms that relate to Pitta Dosha take on that quality. Fevers, inflammation, anger, intensity, burning symptoms, loose stool/diarrhea, judgment, criticism, chronic disease, ulcers, burnout and burnout related illnesses, a cough with yellow sputum, arthritis, and jaundice, are all examples of symptoms caused by excess Pitta. Instead of having the tendency towards a flushed face, the out of balance pitta may be very red in the face. There are specific herbs that target Pitta type diseases and symptoms.
Diet & Lifestyle: To bring balance to Pitta Dosha, cooling, anti-inflammatory, purifying foods like bitter greens; as wells as sweet, grounding, nourishing foods like grains and vegetarian sources of protein. The best tastes for Pitta Dosha are sweet, bitter, and astringent. Cooling digestive herbs like cilantro and peppermint, along with cooling oils like coconut oil, sunflower oil, and ghee. Routines around sleep and eating are very important, as well as moderate exercise.
Season & Time of life: The heat of summertime is when Pitta Dosha peaks in the environment and so people may be more likely to have a Pitta imbalance at this time of year. However, Pitta imbalances can occur at any time. The Pitta time of life is Puberty to age 65.
The Kapha Dosha is described by the elements of earth and water, and is responsible for hydrodynamics and structure in the body. All tissues and moisture in the body are Kapha Dosha. Examples of Kapha present in the body are protective mucus membranes, the fluid in joints, the moisture in the skin, the lymph, and saliva. The person with a lot of Kapha in their constitution at birth will have round features, like round eyes, and full features like full lips and big bones. They have a strong immune system and withstand stress well. When in balance, the Kapha nature individual is nurturing, stable, dependable, and has a great memory. They tend toenjoy calm activities and avoid strenuous movement.
Symptoms/Disease: The earth and water elements are heavy, and so symptoms associated with Kapha Dosha are heavy. Examples are depression, over-attachment/clingy, melancholy, lethargy and paleness, water retention/ swelling, slow digestion or nausea after eating, excess mucus, a cough with thick white phlegm, pneumonia, cystic acne, excessive sleep, and excess tissue like growths, fibroids, and cysts.
Diet & Lifestyle: To bring balance to Kapha Dosha, warm, light, stimulating foods must be consumed, focusing on the bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes. Examples include cooked greens/lots of vegetables, small amounts of grains that are lighter in nature like quinoa and barley, and hot spices like ginger and black pepper. They must avoid heavy, fatty foods. The lifestyle should include movement that gets them warm and sweating, as well as spontaneity. There are specific herbs that target Kapha type disease conditions and symptoms.
Season & Time of Life: The season associated with Kapha Dosha is springtime and early fall when the temperatures are moist and cool. People do have a tendency to become out of balance with Kapha Dosha at this time of year, but a Kapha imbalance can happen at any time depending on the person and the qualities present in their body and mind. The time of life associated with Kapha Dosha is childhood to puberty.
5 of the Many Ways Ayurveda Enhances Wellness
1) Many people in today’s society experience some level of Vata and Pitta imbalance: they may be disconnected from the sunlight, overworked, and dependant on caffeine. A major concept in Ayurveda is aligning yourself with the cycles of nature. The Doshas as described above not only have to do with your body but also everything in your environment. Food, the seasons, the activities you do, etc., all have a Dosha! In this way, you see that you are a part of nature, not separate from it. By aligning activities and sleep to the cycles in nature, as well as eating in alignment with the seasons and your constitution, strength and vitality are restored and maintained.
2) There is SO much conflicting health advice circulating. Raw food, paleo, keto, carnivore, plant-based, vegan, you name it! Ayurveda allows you to understand your body so you can understand what types of diets are compatible with your metabolism and unique needs. There are no blanket solutions, no one size fits all approach to wellness. This way you don’t have to feel discouraged if something worked for someone else and not you: you will know the reason behind it.
3) Through your understanding of the Doshas you will slowly gain compassion for yourself and others. You begin to understand that there are circumstances and factors that lead to someone being in their current state. Maybe that person’s anger isn’t reflective of their true character, maybe they had a Pitta aggravating day. Maybe that person’s forgetfulness is a Vata imbalance due to stress. Maybe that person’s stubbornness is a Kapha imbalance and a self-defense mechanism.
4) Ayurveda shows you to prioritize what is the most important for you. Some Doshas need to prioritize certain activities over others. For example, Vata Dosha imbalances usually need to work on quiet time, grounding, and slowing down. Pitta dosha imbalances need to work on productive boundaries, scheduling time for rest, and cooling down. Kapha imbalances usually need to work on increasing physical activity, speaking up for themselves, and letting go of the past. ALL of these concepts are important for everyone, but individuals with V/P/K imbalances will have them at different places on their priority list.
5) Ayurveda empowers the individual so that over time, they understand their bodies and don’t have to sit idly by when symptoms arise. One of the most rewarding parts of my 1:1 work with clients is when they say they now feel confident and “know what to do.” Over a period of working with a practitioner, and seeing how the lifestyle, diet, and herbs are modified based on needs, the puzzle pieces fit together in a manageable way.
How to Get Started With Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic Health Counselling
Nadia Miller-Goymer is a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist trained through the California College of Ayurveda.
Nadia offers 1:1 Ayurvedic Health Counselling, creates treatment plans for diseases, and supports individuals to make consistent, incremental, and sustainable changes to their lifestyle.
Ayurvedic Healthy Habits 8 Week Program
The intention of this program is to help you solidify and deepen healthy habits. Each week on Thursday we discuss a habit category, participants have the weekend to prepare, and on Monday we implement the new habit as a group. Each habit category will have a range of effort levels, so you can start where it makes the most sense for you. There are also three workshops included getting you feeling knowledgeable in Ayurveda!!
The first workshop will be an Intro to Ayurveda & Your Ayurvedic Constitution, the second will be about Ojas: Your Physical and Emotional Ability to Withstand Stress and Disease, and the third topic will be about an Ayurvedic Perspective on Burnout.
When: February 4th - April 1st 2021
Where: Live videos over Zoom on Thursdays at 10 AM MST, recordings for those who can’t attend.
What: We will all keep in touch and communicate in our private Facebook group for ongoing support and accountability. Zoom recordings and educational material will be posted to the files of the group, as well as shared to google drive.
Enrollment deadline February 1st - Link for more information and to register:
https://form.jotform.com/210154975343253
Contact Nadia Miller-Goymer:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northernlotusayurveda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernlotusayurveda
E-mail: nadiagoymer@gmail.com
Website: www.northernlotusayurveda.com