Pronounced “EYE-yer-VAY-da”, Ayurveda in Sanskrit means “the science of life” and is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. This ancient knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the “mother of all healing.”

Ayurveda views health and dis-ease as the end result of how we interact with the world in terms of our beliefs, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. These ultimately determine our actions. Actions in harmony with our inner nature create health, while those disharmonious actions create dis-ease. Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences and together teach us how to develop greater harmony with our environment through all of our senses and how to love and care for ourselves more deeply.

Five Elements of Nature

The best part about Ayurveda, is that it’s simple enough that even a 5 year-old can understand it. Ayurveda recognizes that each human being is a microcosm (a small reflection) of the macrocosm (the universe). Each of us is made up of the same elements that make up everything around us and together we move (or not) with the rhythms of nature; we rise with the sun, sleep with the moon, and take joy in the foods that each season brings us. Journeying back to optimal health with Ayurveda is living a simple life, through Sadhana, wholesome, everyday practices that allow us to awaken to our true nature as Spirit. Sadhana practices balances the five elements (air, ether, fire, water, and earth) in the body and mind through the use of food, sleep, exercise, lifestyle, yoga, herbs, color, aromas, meditation, along with other five sense therapies.

Ether
Ether, akasha, is the the most expansive and subtle of all elements. It has the qualities of being cold, light, dry and mobile. It is defined as space and is the space the other elements fill. In the body it relates to the hollow or empty spaces in the body, like channels, pores and the ears that perceive sound. It connects everything. Without form or boundaries, Ether is the space of unlimited possibilities.
Air
Air, vayu, has the same qualities of Ether, light, dry, cold, and mobile. It is the movement in nature such as ocean tides and wind. In our physical body, Air is the movement of oxygen and nutrients to the cell and waste out of the cell, the air we breathe, nerve impulses, circulation, and movement of our joints. Air supports our energy, prana or vital life force and in the mind it supports the movement and coordination of our thoughts.
Fire
Fire, agni, represents light, heat and transformation. Where there is movement, there is friction, where there is friction there is fire. Fire governs metabolism, absorption and digestion of all sensory impressions we take in through our five senses. Fire is carried throughout the body in the blood and plasma as heat and in our mind supports the strength of our intellect, discrimination and perception.
Water
Water, apas, is cohesion and holds everything together. It has the qualities of being cold and heavy. It supports the fluidity so that we can move slowly and gracefully. Water is plasma, urine, our lymphatic system, and how subtle molecules are carried from one part of the body to the other. Water is responsible for emotions such as unconditional love, compassion, empathy, deep feelings and attachment.
Earth
Earth, pruthivi, is stability and the building block of nature. It has the qualities of being cold, heavy, stable and dense and is more difficult to move than the other elements. Earth makes up the structures within us; bones, cartilage, hair, skin, nails, teeth, muscles and organs. In the mind, earth gives stability, contentment, and structure to thoughts and ideas.

The Three Doshas

The five elements manifest in the human body as three basic energies or principals called “doshas”. The 3 doshas, vata, pitta and kapha bind the five elements into living flesh, and create at the moment of conception, a balanced, healthy state known as your prakruiti, ayurvedic constitution or body type. Just as you have a unique fingerprint, you have a unique balance of the 5 elements of nature. Your prakruti is based on long term tendencies, physical structure and an ayurvedic tongue and pulse diagnosis taken by a certified ayurvedic practitioner.

When these three principals are balanced, physical and psychological health is obtained. When they are disturbed, excessive or deficient, we experience discomfort and dis-ease. Ayurvedic practices and regimens will restore the natural harmonious balance of the doshas.

Vata
The Vata dosha holds the energy of the air and ether elements and governs movement, nerve impulses, breathing, pulsation of the heart, creativity and flexibility. Those with a Vata constitution are imaginative, detailed-oriented, on-the-go, and have an active mind. Vata moves like the wind and changes direction often. When those with a Vata nature lack a consistent schedule it disturbs the body's internal energy, prana. This leads to anxiety, nervousness, feelings of overwhelm, insomnia, constipation, dry stools, bloating, gas, and dry skin. Vata does best when stable, regular routines help to channel and focus their large, natural amount of energy. With structure, Vata's are able to accomplish a great deal within a very short period of time and can be more productive than any other doshic type.
Pitta
The Pitta dosha holds the energy of the fire and water elements and while its principal quality is heat, it is also light, slightly oily, sharp and unstable. Pitta is the force that is responsible for the strength of our intellect and governs the digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of any sensory impressions. Those with a primarily pitta constitution are more courageous than the other doshas. They are ambitious, goal-oriented, productive, natural leaders and have good public speaking skills. Out of balance they are prone to loose stools, inflammation, anger, resentment, criticism and jealousy. Pitta does best when it takes in cooler foods, spends time in nature, doesn’t overschedule themselves and takes time to appreciate the joys in life.
Kapha
Kapha holds the energy of the earth and water elements and are moist, cold, heavy, dull, sticky, dense, static, smooth, and soft. Kapha gives us nourishment, stability, support, lubrication and makes up the bulk of our bodily tissues. Kaphas have good stamina, excellent memory, and govern the watery emotions such as compassion, love, deep feelings, modesty, forgiveness and patience. Out of balance Kaphas experience symptoms such as congestion, allergies, weight gain, water retention, lethargy, depression and attachment. Kapha does best when they wake before the sun, take in small quantities and lighter qualities of food, have a regular exercise regimen, take in regular visits to the sauna or steam rooms and live in a space that is free of excess.

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