The Application of AYURVEDA in Daily Life

When you hear the word “Ayurveda” you probably think of some far-out method that involves rituals such as oil pulling, tongue scrapping, and acupuncture, and though these can be incorporated, Ayurveda is much simpler — so simple, in fact, that we ALL engage with it daily.

Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems and it is the “sister science” of yoga. It is based on the belief that health and wellness depends on a delicate balance between the mind, body and spirit, or the MIND-BODY CONNECTION. Yoga comes from the word “to yoke,” meaning "to become one with the universe," whereas Ayurveda stems from the words “ayur,” meaning “life", and “veda,” meaning "knowledge." Ayurveda expands upon yoga by placing emphasis on the understanding of HOW your environment interacts with you, by viewing the mind and body as whole, and by focusing on the physical and mental ailments that yoga doesn’t (such as nutrition, self-care, meditation, exercise, and more). Given that Ayurveda is centered around holistic wellness, it not only focuses on MAINTAINING good health, but also hones in on the PREVENTION and treatment of illness through lifestyle changes and the use of herbal remedies.

Ayurveda is ALWAYS changing. As humans, we are ever-changing beings, and we are also a REFLECTION of the nature that we live in. Ayurveda is a TOOL that can transform our lives and the way that each of us looks upon the world. It allows you to see WHAT your body needs and WHEN you need it. Once you understand it, you will begin to notice the many parallels, patterns and ways in which people are connected that you’ve never seen before.

Ayurveda is based on a system of ELEMENTS and ENERGIES, with the major foundational component being the doshas, or the mind-body types of Ayurveda. Practitioners believe that every being is made up of five universal elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These five elements, in turn, combine to form three energies, or doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. Although one dosha may be dominant, everyone is a combination of all three. This combination, however, ebbs and flows over time, through the seasons of the year and the seasons of life. A lack of balance among the doshas can help to signal sickness or disease in the body, while balance among the doshas represents health and wellbeing.

In Ayurveda, you are what you digest and assimilate; the mind and the body are always REFLECTING one another and a physical issue is likely to be a reflection of what is going on in your mind, and vice versa. It is a HOLISTIC system that doesn’t just look at one aspect of diet, exercise or lifestyle, but rather how they are all AFFECTING one another. Practicing Ayurveda helps you to understand how the body changes and evolves with the seasons; your NATURAL response to the climate and environment that surrounds you.

This practice is already inside of you; it lies in your gut. It is your INTUITION, your inner guidance and the ability to use your body as a compass. Like attracts like, therefore, the more balanced you become, the more naturally you crave the foods and practices that bring you BACK into balance, and the more out of balance you are, the more you may experience cravings. Ayurveda is simply about SHIFTING the pendulum back into balance so that it becomes intuitive, allowing you to take back your power and trust your body from within.

The Three Doshas & How They Manifest:

VATA (air and space) - Vatas are full of creative and artistic energy, and are always on the go

+ physical characteristics: thin, agile, dry skin and hair, cold hands and feet, and sensitive digestion

+ emotional traits: spontaneous, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, energetic, and loves new experiences

+ communication style: loves to talk and share wisdom with others

+ in balance: energetic, creative, adaptable, shows initiative, strong communicator, and healthy digestion

+ out of balance: anxious, overactive mind, insomnia, starts but doesn’t finish many projects, struggles to communicate effectively, and poor digestion, leading to gas, bloating or irregular bowel movements

+ benefit from warm, grounding foods that tame their airy and light personalities + eat more cooked root vegetables, ghee, olive oil, rice, wheat, bananas, avocados, dried fruit, chicken, turkey, seafood, eggs and nuts + eat less beans and cold foods like smoothies, green juices, raw vegetables and yogurt.

PITTA (fire and water) - Pittas are leaders, teachers, and competitors + physical characteristics: medium build, often fees hot, oily skin, frequently hungry and digestion works in overdrive + emotional traits: organized, passionate, and focused + communication style: direct and focused, can be impatient towards others when imbalanced + in balance: good leader, warm, good decision maker, friendly, and healthy digestion + out of balance: demanding, aggressive, judgmental, and impatient with others, leading to loose bowel movements

+ benefit from cooling, dense foods that calm their fiery digestion

+ eat more milk, butter, ghee, coconut, grapes, melons, cherries, avocados, cucumbers, sweet fruits and green vegetables

+ eat less sour, acidic and spicy foods like yogurt, garlic, tomatoes, pickles and coffee.

KAPHA (water and earth) - Kaphas are calm, grounding forces, and nurturers + physical characteristics: heavier body with a tendency to gain weight, large eyes, sinus infections, and allergies + emotional traits: calm, thoughtful, patient, and empathetic + communication style: very good listener, supportive + in balance: steady, loyal, strong, supportive, and patient + out of balance: dull, needy, overweight, overprotective, and resistant to change

+ benefit from light, dry and bitter foods that energize them

+ eat more chard, broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, cherries, pomegranates, okra, peppers, garlic, chicken, turkey, and spicy foods

+ eat less nuts and seeds, dairy and oils, cooked oats, and raw vegetables. The basic rule of balancing your doshas is that opposites attract. Foods that have a balancing effect on the dominant dosha help to stabilize the mind and the body. When eating for your dosha, let nature be your guide: the foods that you NEED are oftentimes the foods that are in SEASON. If you’re interested in discovering your dominant dosha you can visit: https://chopra.com/dosha-quiz Xx, Leah Kutsch P.S. Keeping IIN Touch