Ayurveda

India’s ancient healing system, Ayurveda, which translates as “science of life,” has been practiced for over five millennia. Ayurveda may consist of tonification or rejeventation therapies aimed to heal or maintain the health and vitality of an individual. The body and all elemental existence, prakriti, is viewed to be an expression of the underlying intelligence of the universe, purusha. The gunas–rajas, tamas, and sattva–are the qualities that shape these elements into forms of matter and force. The doshas–pitta, rajas, and tamas–are the internal environments contained in each animate and inanimate object, influenced by the gunas, and composed of the five elements, or Panch Mahabhoots: prithvi, apya, teja, vayu, akash, or earth, water, fire, air, and ether. These elements are reflected both in the macrocosmic universe and the microcosmic human body. Disharmony within between ourselves and the environment are caused by these same fundamental elements, which suggests that we have all that is needed to sustain and heal ourselves. This holistic approach addresses and aims to rectify the underlying conditions that have allowed for the systemic imbalance. Changes in lifestyle—such as diet, exercise (yoga), meditation, herbal medicine, massage, or relationships—are made to prevent and treat disease, injury, or illness. 

Ashtanga Ayurveda, reflecting the eight branches of Ayurveda, include:

1. Kayachikitsa: general medicine
2. Shlaya Chikitsa: surgery
3. Shalakya Chikitsa: diseases of the ear, nose, throat, eye, and mouth
4. Bhoot Vidhiya: psychiatry
5. Shitrirogavamkaumarbhirtya: midwifery and pediatrics
6. Vishvigyana: toxicology
7. Rasyana: tonics and rejuvenation
8. Vajikarna: aphrodisiacs

Prana, Tejas and Ojas

Prana, Tejas, and Ojas are viewed as the subtle counterparts to the doshas, functioning in the realm of the astral body, or pranamaya kosha. These foundational forces of tamas, rajas, and sattva direct our psychology and, in directed appropriately, spiritual practice. Prana is the life-force carried through our breath, bridging the psychphysical interface of the breath, mind, and senses.  Prana, governing air’s subtle counterpart, is the force behind the wind, our spirit, and the process of uncovering our primordial consciousness. Tejas, representative of fire’s subtle variation, governs our will, vigor, radiance, vitality, and deeper intuitive capacities.  Ojas has a subtle water quality and is associated with stamina, endurance, spiritual nourishment and higher development of our sensory faculties. Both prana and tejas may be viwed as originating in ojas: tejas is the fire, the heat sustained through its oily quality as fuel and prana is the energy, the electricity generated from tejas’ combustion.

Ama and Ojas

When the body is functioning at an optimal level, a balance is maintained by the ability to extract nutrients and dispel with toxins that are absorbed through what we consume and absorb from our environment. When agni, our digestive fire, is weak, the body accumulates unprocessed waste  known as ama. If ama is left untreated, we may succumb to disease or illness. Negative emotional states such as fear, anxiety, anger, or depression are just as or perhaps more damaging than the toxic residue left behind by certain food or drink. When agni is weak,  ojas,  “the vital nectar of life,” is not extracted from our food and leads to deterioration in the body. Sattvic elements, pure foods, and environmental factors will produce ojas. Fresh, ripe, and organic foods are recommended; most notably, honey, rice, fruits, almonds, organic milk, and sesame.  Avoid non-animal protein; processed, canned or frozen food; as well as alcohol and cigarettes.

Ama’s accumulation in the body will be apparent as a white-coated tongue; foul smelling breath and body; angry, irritable behaviour; inability to act on intentions; poor digestion; low appetite; fatigue; depression; and decreased immune function. Conversely, a body rich in ojas will show as a pink tongue; radiant skin; pleasant breath and body odor; balanced mood; will act with energy, vitality, conviction and clearness of mind; and possess a tolerance to sickness and disease. By attributing Ayurveda’s holistic approach to health, we aware ourselves of the importance of maintaining balance through observing all aspects of our lifestyle.

Prakriti and Vrikruti

Prakriti is the balanced, elemental constitutional nature of each individual that is determined by the governing doshas within the body, its surrounding environment, and daily schedule. All living things— including the planets, trees, animals, and single-cell organisms—are animate representations of prakriti, while the qualities of prakriti’s nature are referred to as the three gunas: rajas (activity), tamas (inertia), and sattva (balanced equilibrium, the pure, primordial nature of Prakriti). These doshas are attributable to all creation, as well the essence of the state of mind. Determining our inherent dosha and the effects of the gunas are useful to ascertain the factors that contribute to our individualized, balanced state of being. Creation of prakriti’s elemental form is said to arise when the harmonic balance of the three gunas of Mula-Prakriti, or primordial matter, is “shifted” to bring forth the conception of form as the contents of our universe, which are all constitutionally similar.

Vikruti is the underlying imbalance that is of concern to the Ayurvedic practitioner. A balanced body is a healthy body. To heal any disharmony, the root of the disturbance is addressed by observing the vikruti in the body.

Doshas

The three doshas are attributable to two of the five elements: air, ether, fire, water, and earth. Most of us will recognize all doshas fluctuating throughout our lives, although one or perhaps two will usually predominate. Environmental factors such as seasonality and lunar cycles may require changes to counteract an overabundance of dosha or guna activity in our system. In order to ascertain our dosha, we may look for the attributes which are most fitting to our normal functioning.  Below is a chart outlining the characteristics between the three doshas and how we may address the unique needs of each constitution to optimize health and well-being.

	VATA	PITTA	KAPHA
Element	Air and ether	Fire	Water
Dosha: Constitution Characteristics	dry skin and hair Cold in winter Normal physique Short frame Prone to anxiety, and fatigue Occasional constipation Moderate digestion Concentration difficulties	Oily skin and hair Prefers cooler climates Slim physique Proportionate frame Organized, efficient mind Moderate energy Excellent digestion Impatient Works hard to finish projects	Smooth, damp skin Likes warmer climates Heavy physique Disproportionate frame Slow mind, talk, and walk Lots of energy Prone to constipation Poor digestion Patient, calm Decisive action
Dosha Function or Control.	Movement Breathing Natural urges Transformation off the tissues Motor and Sensory Function Secretions, excretions Fear Emptiness Anxiety Thoughts Life-force Nerve impulses	Body heat Perception Understanding Hunger Thirst Intelligence Anger Hate Jealousy	Energy Lubrication Forgiveness Greed Attachment Accumulation Holding Possessiveness

Manifestations	Cold Light Irregular Mobile Rarefied Dry Rough	Hot Fluid Subtle Sharp Malodorous Soft Clear	Oily Heavy Steady Dense Smooth
Physiological Characteristics	Nerve Irritation High blood pressure Gas Confusion	Ulcers Hormonal Imbalance Irritated skin, acne Consuming emotions (anger)	Mucous build-up in the sinus and nasal passages, the lungs and colon In the mind it creates rigidity, fixation of thought and inflexibility
Symptoms of Dosha Excess	Nerve loss Congestion Constipation Thoughtless behaviour	Indigestion Inability to understand Sluggish metabolism	Dry respiratory tract Inability to concentrate
Plants	Flowers Leaves	Plants essential oils, resins, and saps	Roots
Climatic	Dry climates or cold Autumn winds; Fall	Hot summers or hot climates	Wet winters of damp climates
Age Associations	Old age; we shrink and dry out as we age	Teen and adult; hormones provide growth into adulthood	Childhood years; growth and bulk to the body is added