ayurveda
Ayurveda is one of the oldest ancient systems of medicine that originated in India and is rooted in the Vedas, ancient teachings passed down from time immemorial from one generation and teacher to another
and preserved in a series of sacred books.
Āyuh means life and veda means knowledge and its teachings hold a grand view of the universe and all its components, illuminating how we are connected and related to all things. It considers the uniqueness of each individual – the mind, body and spirit and how it relates to the environment. Ayurveda is a medical science, and its purpose is to heal and to maintain the quality and longevity of life.
“The aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of the healthy and to relieve the ailments of the diseased”
C.S. Su 30/26
Ayurveda is based on the laws of nature, it’s a holistic and natural medicine that considers that we, humans are the microcosmos of the macrocosms and this relationship between human’s beings and nature is intrinsic and cannot be separated. It looks at the individual as mind, body and spirit and provides suggestions and guidelines on daily and seasonal routine, diet, behavior, and proper use of the senses to support life. It also deals with diseases, their diagnosis and treatments with a unique approach toward purification and rejuvenation.
The Four pillars of Health in Ayurveda:
Food
Lifestyle and Behavior
Sleep
Energy Management, including sexual energy
Food
What we eat is important so choose fresh, local and seasonal food as much as possible. Eat freshly cooked and enough food until you have your first burp, chewed well and eaten preferable before the sun goes down. How we eat is key in digesting and absorbing the food properly so be present without distraction and stimulations, make adequate time and space for meals, pay attention to your food and enjoy this sacred time.
Lifestyle
Balance and moderation are important aspects to feel supported by life. Pay attention to your habits and behaviors and choose routines that has time and space for relaxation, play, exercise, loving and caring relationships, and your purpose in life. As we enter this space, we see life through different lens with more clarity, balance and support even through difficult and challenging times.
Sleep
Getting enough good quality sleep is essential for good health. Inadequate sleep will affect negatively the doshas and how we experience life. Ideally go to bed before 10pm and wake up before 6am. Ayurveda has many suggestions of practices and routines that can support the creation of a nourishing bedtime routine, so you have a restful night without interruptions.
Energy
To consciously protect our energy we need to be present and aware, so we can understand if our actions and choices are making us depleted or nourishing ourselves. How we use our energy impacts our health and using it in a balanced way will result in a feeling of fulfillment and contentment. Practices like conscious breathing, meditation, chanting of mantras and yoga can support and guide us to look into our inner world so we can in a harmonic way support the union of body, mind and spirit.
the three primary causes of disease
Pragyaparadha, knowing what’s best but choosing something different. Acting or choosing to do something, ignoring your inner wisdom to satisfy a specific need in a temporary and unsatisfactory way. Example: overeating in a social event, knowing smoking is harmful and yet unable to stop, not remembering how a particular person impacts you negatively and interacting with them again.
Asatmyaindriyaartha samyoga, improper use of senses – hearing, touching, seeing, tasting and seeing. The improper use can be of three types – excess, under or abnormal. Example - prolonged use of headphones, loud music, too much time in front of screens, lack of physical touch, and so on.
Parinama or Kala, refers more generally to the effects of time and lifecycle changes on the body. Example: ignoring to live in sync with nature’s cycles, it can speed up the process of decay over time. You can align yourself with the circadian rhythm, seasonal and time of life.
the basic principles
The Five Elements and The Body
Ayurveda views the human body and all forms in the universe as composed of varying combinations of five elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
Ether | Space
Space it’s the first of all elements, it’s the container that everything sits, it’s formless and permeates everything. The human body contains numerous spaces, like bones, the stomach, ear, mouth and nose. It’s often filled with substances such as food, acid, fluid, or waste products. Examples: the digestive tract, the ear canals that bounce sound inside them, and porous bones.
Air
The first element formed from Ether, it’s perceived by Movement. While space is passive, air is dynamic and moves through it. It gives us movement and sense of touch. The air is responsible for all the movement in body. You can feel air on your skin when the breeze blows and observe it when clouds drift across the sky. Examples: respiration, passing gas, circulation, digestion and the cracking sound of joints caused by air passing through bones.
Fire
Formed from the air element, air begins to create friction, heat builds and fire start. It’s the first element that we can see a form, heat means the presence of fire. On Earth, fire manifests in hot springs, lightning, and forest fire. The sun's fire warms the Earth and the human body. The Earth's core is fire, like the human core, particularly the stomach and small intestines. Examples: stomach and intestines, which produce hot acids and enzymes, the blood characterized by fire, catabolic and metabolic process, creation of hormones (such as during puberty and pregnancy), the eyes, absorption and assimilation of food, temperature regulation.
Water
Next element is Water that becomes the container for fire. It is prevalent on the planet, in rivers, oceans, and the cells of plants and humans. About 80% of the human body is made up of water, it brings coolness, softness, lubrification and helps protect and nourish the body. The taste is the cause effect of water. Examples: mucous membranes, plasma, lymphatic fluid, blood, digestive juices, and saliva.
Earth
The final element, it’s the condensation of all 4 elements, it takes on the most stable and solid forms. In nature, earth refers to soil, rocks, trees, and animal flesh. This represents the solid, firmness structure of the body and is the easiest element to conceptualize. Examples: adipose tissue (fat), muscle fibers, hair, teeth, bones, nails, skin and the stable parts of bones. The odor is the cause effect of earth element.
the doshas:
the three principal energies of the body
The human body is a biological combination of the five elements into three basic energies or functional principal that give rise to doshas. They are responsible for biological and psychological functions, and they are presented in all of us.
Space + Air = Constitute Vata : the energy of movement
Fire + Water = Constitute Pitta : the energy of digestion and metabolism
Water + Earth = Constitute Kapha : the energy of structure and lubrification
The three Doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha - are fundamental forces in Ayurveda that shape individual preferences, characteristics, and behaviors. They influence every aspect of our lives; from the foods we choose to how we interact with others. In Ayurveda, disease arises when there is an imbalance in the Doshas, leading to improper cellular function. Additionally, disease can also be caused by the presence of toxins.
Vata
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Vata is the combination of space and air element.
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Think of Vata as the movements of the body, such as impulses, circulation, respiration, pulsation, blinking, muscle and tissue movement and elimination.
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The qualities of space and air are cold, light, dry, rough, mobile, erratic and clear and they will act in a certain way and have certain effects on the body.
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Healthy Vata promotes that the body has consistent elimination, free breathing, good circulation and keen senses. In balance Vata also promotes creativity and flexibility.
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Out of Balance, Vata might cause gas and constipation, cold hands and feet, constricted breathing, and produce anxiety, fear and feeling overwhelmed.
Pita
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Pitta is the combination of fire and water elements.
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The word Pitta means the energy that creates heat in the body. Pitta is responsible for metabolism, temperature, assimilation, body temperature, absorption, nutrition, chemical reactions and transformation.
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The qualities of fire and water are sharp, light, mobile, liquid, hot, penetrating, oily and smelly.
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Healthy Pitta creates good appetite and metabolism, steady hormones, sharp eyesight, comprehension, good complexion (rosy skin) and promotes understanding and intelligence.
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Out of balance, Pitta might cause acid indigestion, reflux, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), red and dry eyes; need for glasses, tendency to overwork, acne and rosacea. Pitta can also arouse anger, hatred and jealousy.
Kapha
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Kapha is the combination of water and earth elements
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The earth elements require water to get the tissues to hold together, Kapha look after growth, lubrification, sustenance, and protection. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity.
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Kapha qualities are like glue: cool, liquid, slimy, heavy, slow, dull, dense and stable
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Healthy Kapha provides strong bodily tissues, hearty immune system, well-lubricated joints and mucous membranes. It is also expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness.
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Too much kapha qualities might cause weight gain, water retention, sinus or lung congestion, lethargy and sadness. It can also lead to attachment, greed and envy.
The body’s constitution of the five elements, is like DNA and come mostly from one’s parents at the time of conception. Understanding your constitution can help you understand which of the 3 doshas are likely to get out of balance in your body.
Life is full of challenges and opportunities. While many things are beyond our control, we have the power to make choices in areas like diet and lifestyle. These decisions are crucial for maintaining balance and health. When aligned with one’s unique constitution, a well-chosen diet and lifestyle can strengthen the body, mind, and spirit.
the six tastes
The six tastes in Ayurveda describe not only the flavors of different foods, but their vital essence as well. This vital essence then yields its qualities to the body/mind after digestion.
Sweet
Is found in foods that are heavy, oily, sticky, and cool. These foods nourish and nurture the body and nerves, creating feeling of pleasure, comfort, love. Sweet taste is found in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, root vegetables, nuts and seeds, ripe fruits, dairy products, fresh-pressed oils, sugar cane and honey. In excess can aggravate Kapha, and cause colds, cough, congestion, heaviness, loss of appetite, laziness and obesity
Sour
Is found in foods that are light, hot, and moist. When used in moderation they are refreshing, stimulate appetite and salivation, improve digestion, energize the body, nourish the heart and engage the mind. It is found in citrus fruits, sour cream, yogurt, vinegar, cheese, lemon, green grapes and fermented foods. In excess can cause thirst, hyperacidity, heartburn, acid indigestion, ulcers, sensitive teeth and skin conditions
Salty
Is found in foods that are hot, heavy, sharp, little oily. Used moderately, promotes growth and maintains water electrolyte balance, stimulates salivation improves flavor of food and aids digestion, absorption and elimination of waste. It is found in sea salt, rock salt, kelp, and sea vegetables. In excess cause the blood thick and viscous, causes hypertension, and worsen skin conditions (skin wrinkling and baldness may be due to excessive use of salty)
Pungeant
Is found in foods that are dry, hot, light and sharp. Used in moderation, it improves digestion and absorption and cleans the mouth. It clears the sinuses by stimulating nasal secretion and tearing of the eyes. It aids circulation, breaks up clots, helps in the elimination of waste products, and kill germs and parasites. It is found in hot peppers (cayenne, chili, black). In excess, it may cause negative reactions like sperm and ova, causing sexual debility in both sexes, induce burning and fatigue with feelings of thirst and heat. Aggravating Pitta, it can cause diarrhea, heartburn and nausea. It can also aggravate Vata resulting in tremors, insomnia or pain in the leg muscles. Skin conditions, asthma and colitis.
Bitter
Is found in foods that are dry, cool and light in qualities. Bitter is not a delicious taste, but it promotes flavor of other tastes. It is antioxidant and kill germs. It helps relieve burning sensation, itching, and obstinate skin disorders. It reduces fever and stimulates firmness of skin and muscles. In small doses it can relieve intestinal gas and work as digestive tonic. It’s found in coffee, bitter melon, aloe vera, rhubarb and the herbs yellow dock, fenugreek, turmeric root, dandelion root and sandalwood. Overuse can deplete plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone marrow and semen and may result in sexual debility. Extreme dryness and roughness.
Astringent
is found in foods with dry, cool and heavy qualities. In moderation it calms pitta and Kapha. It helps in healing ulcers and stops bleeding by promoting clotting. It is found in unripe bananas, pomegranates, chickpeas, green beans, yellow split peas, okra, alfalfa sprouts, and the herbs goldenseal, turmeric, lotus seed, arjuna and alum. In excess can cause dryness in the mouth, difficulty speak and constipation, as well as abdominal distention, heart spams and stagnation of circulations. It may affect the sex drive and lead to depletion of sperm.
agni
Agni refers to the biological fire or digestive fire that is responsible for all metabolic processes in the body. It is considered the cornerstone of health, as it governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, and transformation of food and experiences into energy and consciousness.
There are 13 types of Agni in Ayurveda:
Jatharagni: The main digestive fire located in the stomach and small intestine. It is responsible for digesting food and is considered the most important Agni.
Bhutagni: There are five types of Bhutagni, each corresponding to one of the five elements (Pancha Mahabhutas—earth, water, fire, air, and ether). They help in the transformation of the elemental substances in the body.
Dhatu Agni: There are seven Dhatu Agnis, each associated with one of the seven bodily tissues (Dhatus—plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow, and reproductive tissue). They are responsible for the metabolism of each respective tissue.
A balanced Agni leads to good health, vitality, and a strong immune system, while an imbalanced Agni can result in various health issues. Ayurvedic practices, such as dietary choices, lifestyle adjustments, and herbal treatments, aim to maintain or restore the balance of Agni for optimal health.
ojas
Ojas is considered the essence of vitality and life force, representing the ultimate product of digestion and metabolism. It is often described as the foundation of physical, mental, and spiritual health, providing strength, immunity, and a sense of well-being.
Here are some key aspects of Ojas:
Nature of Ojas: Ojas is subtle and nourishing, akin to a vital energy or the "fluid of life." It is responsible for the body's overall vitality and resilience. When Ojas is abundant, a person exhibits radiant health, vitality, and a strong immune system.
Formation of Ojas: Ojas is formed as the final product of the digestion process. After food is digested and nutrients are absorbed, they are progressively refined through the seven bodily tissues (Dhatus). The last and most refined essence of this process is Ojas.
Functions of Ojas:
- Immunity: Ojas is directly linked to the body's immune system, giving it the strength to resist diseases.
- Mental and Emotional Balance: Ojas contributes to mental clarity, emotional stability, and a sense of contentment.
- Physical Strength: It is responsible for stamina, endurance, and overall vitality.
Depletion of Ojas: Factors like poor diet, excessive stress, overwork, lack of sleep, and negative emotions can deplete Ojas. This leads to weakened immunity, fatigue, and a range of physical and mental health issues.
Enhancing Ojas: Ayurvedic practices to increase and preserve Ojas include eating nourishing and easily digestible foods, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, practicing yoga and meditation, getting adequate rest, and cultivating positive thoughts and emotions.
Ayurveda is a lifestyle aligned with nature, guiding us to illuminate our path and empowering us to become our own healers.
