Ayurveda- 2
How does Ayurveda work?
Sandra Bharadwaj
Ayurveda talks about tridosha and their relationship to health. The Universe and the human body consist of 5 elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. These 5 elements together form the tridosha called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Ayurveda distinguishes three basic types of energy or functional principles that are present in everything and everyone. This is called the Tridosha principle. When these three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha are in balance, the body remains healthy. The principles of Ayurveda can be related to the basic principles of the body. In Ayurveda, body, mind and consciousness work together to maintain balance. An unbalanced state (vikruti) of body, mind and consciousness is called distortion. Ayurveda balances health and the doshas. The aim of Ayurveda is to maintain and improve total health, regardless of age.
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the human body also consists of five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether). Vata, Pitta and Kapha are combinations and rearrangements of these five elements that manifest as patterns that are present in the body but in fact throughout creation.
The tridoshas and their qualities
Vata
In the physical body, Vata is the subtle energy of movement, the energy of digestion and metabolism, and the cleansing energy that forms the structure of the body. Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement – consisting of space and air. It controls breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movements, heartbeat, and all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membrane. In balance, Vata promotes creativity and flexibility. When Vata is out of balance, it creates fear and anxiety in the body.
Pitta
Pitta regulates the body’s metabolic system, consisting of fire and water. It regulates digestion, nutrient absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, Pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. When Pitta is out of balance, it creates anger, hatred and jealousy.
Kapha
Kapha is the energy that builds the structure of the body – bones, muscles, tendons – and provides the “glue” that holds cells together consisting of soil and water. It lubricates the joints, moisturizes the skin and maintains immunity. In balance Kapha is expressed as love, peace and forgiveness. When out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and jealousy.
Do you already know what your dosha is?
Knowledge about your own dosha can help to detect and eliminate health problems in time. As indicated earlier, the application of Ayurveda is intended to detect and treat the cause of the disease or ailment.
Live consciously and live healthy!
And use knowledge from Ayurveda for a long life and happy life.
Sandra Bharadwaj
is de Voorzitter van Stichting Shri Sanatan Dharma Nederland.