Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a system of healing that integrates basic physiology, emotional disposition, and spiritual outlook, then presents all three in the context of the universe itself. “Ayurveda is an art of daily living that has evolved from practical, philosophical, and spiritual illumination, rooted in the understanding of creation,” explains noted Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad in his latest book, Textbook of Ayurveda (Ayurvedic, 2002).

Dating back 5,000 years to the ancient Sanskrit texts the Vedas, Ayurvedic theory takes nearly every conceivable stress influence into consideration—from seasonal and planetary changes that affect our well-being to subtle bodily impurities that can precipitate disease. It also sheds light on the thought patterns and physical tendencies that make stress either a constant stumbling block or a nonissue, depending on how well we understand ourselves. Comprehending such an exhaustive system may seem daunting to those who haven’t made it their life’s study. But when it comes to managing stress, Ayurvedic concepts can be boiled down to a basic idea: Trace stress back to its roots, then find lasting ways to change the patterns that cause it.

Dosha (dosh´ah) according to the principle of constitution of the physical body in ayurveda, one of the three vital bioenergies (vata, pitta, kapha) condensed from the five elements; the doshas are responsible for the physical and emotional tendencies in the mind and body, and along with the seven dhatus (tissues) and three malas (waste products) make up the human body. The attributes of the doshas and their specific combination within each individual help determine the individual’s physical and mental characteristics, while imbalance among the doshas is the cause of disease.

Link to Dosha Details

	Vata Imbalance	Pitta Imbalance	Kapha Imbalance
Symptoms	Prone to distraction, anxiety, worry, weight loss, teeth grinding, insomnia, constipation	Bouts of anger, outbursts, criticism, migraines, ulcers, inflamed skin, burning hands and feet	Stubborn, lethargic, possessive, depressed, prone to overeating
Friendly Foods	Warming foods, like rice, wheat, nuts, and milk products. Avoid raw and airy foods, like popcorn.	Cooling foods, like cucumbers, melons, and dates. Avoid spicy and astringent foods, like chili peppers, radishes, tomatoes, cranberries, and grapefruits.	Artichokes, eggplant, broccoli, cherries, cranberries, and pears. Avoid sweets and nuts.
Healing Herbs & Scents	Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom	Jasmine, lavender, rose	Rosemary, frankincense
Calming Yoga	Slow, meditative practice, including Mountain Pose, Tree Pose, Child’s Pose, and Plow Pose	Gentle vinyasa or restorative yoga, including twists and seated forward folds	Vigorous movement, including Sun Salutation, backbends, and inversions

 

Dosha Quiz
Select the trait under each category that most applies to you. (A) responses correspond to vata, (b) to pitta, and (c) to kapha. When you are finished, calculate your results to discover your dominant constitution.

Height

1. Tall or very short
2. Medium
3. Usually short, but can be tall and large

Frame

1. Thin, bony, good muscles
2. Moderate, developed
3. Large, well-built

Weight

1. Low; hard to hold weight
2. Moderate
3. Heavy; hard to lose weight

Skin Luster

1. Dull or dusky
2. Ruddy, lustrous
3. White or pale

Skin Texture

1. Dry, rough, thin
2. Warm, oily
3. Cold, damp, thick

Eyes

1. Small, nervous
2. Piercing, easily inflamed
3. Large, white

Hair

1. Dry, thin
2. Thin, oily
3. Thick, oily, wavy, lustrous

Teeth

1. Crooked, poorly formed
2. Moderate, bleeding gums
3. Large, well-formed

Nails

1. Rough, brittle
2. Soft, pink
3. Soft, white

Joints

1. Stiff, crack easily
2. Loose
3. Firm, large

Circulation

1. Poor, variable
2. Good
3. Moderate

Appetite

1. Variable, nervous
2. High, excessive
3. Moderate but constant

Thirst

1. Low, scanty
2. High
3. Moderate

Sweating

1. Scanty
2. Profuse but not enduring
3. Low to start but profuse

Stool

1. Hard or dry
2. Soft, loose
3. Normal

Urination

1. Scanty
2. Profuse, yellow
3. Moderate, clear

Sensitivities

1. Cold, dryness, wind
2. Heat, sunlight, fire
3. Cold, damp

Immune Function

1. Low, variable
2. Moderate, sensitive to heat
3. High

Disease Tendency

1. Pain, inflammation
2. Fever, edema
3. Congestion

Disease Type

1. Nervous
2. Blood, liver
3. Mucous, lungs

Activity

1. High, restless
2. Moderate
3. Low, moves slowly

Endurance

1. Poor, easily exhausted
2. Moderate but focused
3. High

Sleep

1. Poor, disturbed
2. Variable
3. Excessive

Dreams

1. Frequent, colorful
2. Moderate, romantic
3. Infrequent, disturbed

Memory

1. Quick but absent-minded
2. Sharp, clear
3. Slow but steady

Speech

1. Fast, frequent
2. Sharp, cutting
3. Slow, melodious

Temperament

1. Nervous, changeable
2. Motivated
3. Content, conservative

Positive Emotions

1. Adaptability
2. Courage
3. Love

Negative Emotions

1. Fear
2. Anger
3. Attachment

Faith

1. Variable, erratic
2. Strong, determined
3. Steady but slow to change

Totals

1. ____
2. ____
3. ____

~ by kennybeal on December 1, 2008.