Ayurvedic Study by Valerie Kiser
Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old healing, medicinal system of India. It is concerned with eight parts of medicine: pediatrics, gynecology, obstetrics, opthamology, geriatrics, otolaryngology, general medicine, and surgery. Among other things, it includes aspects of religion, science, herbal medicine, bodywork, and philosophy. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term that translates into English as "knowledge of life" or "science of life." The initial information about Ayurveda was found in the Vedas.
One of the basic tenants of Ayurveda is self-healing. Special medicine and surgery is necessary only when a person has let disease progress too far in his/her body. This self-healing leads to basic physical health and mental/spiritual happiness. One cause of our physical diseases comes from external factors that we can control: diet, exposure to toxins, stress, etc. These physical problems may lead to psychological ones. The treatment of physical problems is done through herbs, diet, body work, and asanas. The secondary cause of disease is karma: wrong actions done earlier in this life (or a prior life). Treatment of diseases from this cause include use of gems, mantras, prayers, rituals, and meditation. Ayurvedic counseling works with physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors.
Yoga is also from the Vedic teachings. It is considered the practical side of the teachings, or the spiritual side of Ayurveda. Ayurveda uses yoga asanas, mantras, meditation, and pranayama as ways to treat diseases. Yoga and Ayurveda work together to create a whole being in good health by uniting the body and mind. Ethical conduct and happiness are intertwined in Ayurvedic and yogic literature. Ayurveda can help determine which asanas are most appropriate for a person to balance his/her constitution.
Ayurveda tells us that there are three life forces or biological humors in the body: vata, pitta, and kapha. These three forces make up the tridosha. Each of the elements (doshas) controls functions of the physical and mental body. They are constantly changing, and when they are out of balance with each other disease may occur. Our make-up as humans is determined at conception and cannot be altered. These elements determine (among other things) our physical attributes, temperament, memory, dreams, and emotions. We have some of each of the doshas, but usually one or two will dominate. It is possible to be pure of one type, mixed of two types, or balanced of all three doshas. Knowing your type assists with treatment and prevention of disease. The doshas control what our proper diet and lifestyle should be. Although we cannot change our primary dosha, we can go to a higher level of functioning within that dosha.
One dosha is Vata. It is a Sanskrit word translated as "what blows", air", "that which moves things", or "wind movement." Air and ether elements form vata. It is contained in spaces in the head, joints, and bones. It is also in the large intestine, pelvic cavity, skin, ears, and thighs. Vata guides the other humors; they cannot move without vata. It controls the senses of hearing and touch, breathing, secretions, and sensitivity and mobility of the mind. Fear and anxiety are a part of vata. Diseases common to pitta people are skin rashes, hyperacidity, and liver disorders.
A person of primarily vata qualities has a thin-framed body, and is shorter or taller than the 'average' person. He/she has dry skin, small eyes, and rough nails. A vata person is talkative, active, and tires easily. He/she is a person who is social, creative, overworked, and flexible. A vata person's yoga practice would include quiet, calm, and soothing poses such as forward bends. Sun salutations (surya namaskar) and shoulder stand (salamba sarvangasana) should be done only for a short period of time.
The second dosha, Pitta, is a Sanskrit word translated as "what cooks", "that which digests things", or "fire". Pitta is formed by water and fire. It is contained in the small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, fat, blood, and skin. It oversees chemical and metabolic changes in the body, digestion, hunger, and understanding. Anger is part of pitta. Pitta people are prone to diseases such as arthritis, sciatica, and paralysis.
A pitta person has an 'average' body height and weight. He/she has oily hair, thin hair, and sharp eyes. These people are aggressive and intelligent with a sharp memory. Pittas are good speakers who often have good insight to things that interest them. Appropriate pitta yoga asanas are calming and place pressure on the abdominal region. Backbends are advantageous where as headstand (sirsasana) should be avoided or held only for a short time.
The third dosha is Kapha. It is a Sanskrit word translated as "what sticks", "biological water" , "life fluid", or "that which holds things together". Kapha is composed of earth and water. Kapha lives in the chest, throat, head, sinuses, and mouth. This dosha gives the other two doshas stability. The senses of taste and smell, lubrication, stability, and forgiveness are controlled by kapha. Emotions and feelings are influenced by this dosha, which can lead to a lack of growth. Diseases found in kapha people are bronchitis, congestion, and sinusitis.
A kapha person has a well-developed body who has trouble losing weight. His/her skin is soft and hair is thick and wavy. These people are slow to learn, but retain what they do learn. Belonging to a group, being attached, and envy are characteristics of a kapha. Asanas for kaphas are stimulating, heating, and open the chest area. Some backbends and sun salutations (surya namaskar) are appropriate examples of these poses.
A second principle of Ayurveda is the qualities of nature, i.e., the three gunas (Sanskrit for "what binds"). These describe our emotional and spiritual characteristics; our soul's developmental level. The three gunas are sattva, rajas, and tamas and provide a deeper understanding of ourselves than the doshas. Any dosha can correlate with any guna and a person may have a combination of the three qualities at any quantity. The influence of these qualities defines our characteristics and the development of the soul. All three qualities are a part of our being, but one will prevail. They effect everything we do, think, and say. The gunas are discussed in yogic literature: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and in the Bhagavad Gita.
Sattva is intelligence and offers balance. It provides clarity, luminosity, happiness, and contentment. Sattva is the balance of the other two gunas. The mind is naturally sattvic, but it changes due to our experiences, emotions, and thoughts. Sattvic people have balance and peace of mind. They look for the good in things, take care of themselves, and are compassionate to others. Diseases are uncommon in sattvic people because they take care of their physical bodies and have peace of mind.
Rajas is energy and causes imbalance. It is outward motion, desire, and action that causes pain, suffering, and distress. Rajasic types of people are opinionated, impatient, and blame others for their problems. A "type A", aggressive person is a rajasic type who is afflicted with stress-related diseases which heal slowly. This long time to heal is due to the rajasic nature of being impatient and not taking the time to recover from illness.
Tamas is substance and creates inertia, obscurity, laziness, heaviness, and slowness. It causes decay and obstruction. Tamasic people are stagnant, do not take responsibility for themselves, and do not take care of their bodies. This can lead to chronic illnesses.
Rajas and tamas work together. Rajas gives us too much motion which in turn leads to us becoming lazy, or tamasic.
Foods are classified as sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic. Sattvic foods are fresh and dried fruits and berries, pure fruit juices, raw or lightly cooked vegetables, salads, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole-grain breads, honey, fresh herbs, herbal teas, and dairy products of milk and butter. Rajasic foods include onions, garlic, coffee, tea, tobacco, refined sugar, soft drinks, and chocolate. Foods of tamas qualities are meat, fish, eggs, mushrooms, drugs, and alcohol. By changing our diets to eat more sattvic foods and fewer tamasic and rajasic foods, we can calm our minds and sharpen the intellect; increase life, purity, strength, health, joy, and cheer. These foods are soothing, nourishing, and full of Prana. A sattvic diet also includes balancing the tastes of sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Ayurveda gives us ways to understand the disease process. By observation and examination of indicators in the body, we can determine if there is disease inside the body. Examination of the pulse in various areas, tongue, face, lips, nails, and eyes are diagnostic techniques.
By understanding these basic Ayurvedic fundamentals, we can balance our lives and prevent the disease process. Healing of yourself is more effective than the work of a health care professional. By knowing what our own dosha is, we can follow the path of balancing the doshas and leading a happy, healthy life.
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