INTRO TO A
YURVEDA
DISCOVER THE 3 BODY TYPES / DOSHAS
Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words Ayur “Life” and Veda “Science or Knowledge” meaning “The Knowledge of Life”. The wisdom of Ayurveda has practiced for thousands of years as a holistic lifestyle used to bring optimal health and wellbeing.
The principles of Ayurveda are built around the five elements; ether, air, fire, water, and earth. The unique combination of these elements come together to make up the doshas or constitutions of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are known as the 3 doshas.
It is common to not resonate with just 1 dosha but to feel like more of a combo. Here is a link to an awesome Body Type Quiz that shows your dosha in 5 sections; mental, emotional, behavioral, physical and fitness. When you understand your body type it makes it easy to figure out which foods, herbs, and lifestyle practices will help you to feel your best.
Vata
Ruled by air and ether.
Mental: Fast paced thoughts, creative, artistic, open minded, enjoys daydreaming, may alternate between having a hard time focusing and being hyper focused, learns and forgets things quickly, overthinks, worries easily, enjoys variety.
Sleep: Light or irregular. May prefer to stay up late.
Physical traits: Small or thin frame, long thin limbs, weaker bones, dry skin, dry hair, hard to gain weight.
Digestion: Prone to irregular digestion, gas, and constipation.
Systems most affected: Nervous, endocrine, digestive, and skeletal.
Foods to minimize: Cold and dry foods like salads and crackers.
Foods to increase: Soups, stews, warming spices, teas, root veggies, healthy fats, nourishing sweets, hearty protein.
Ideal exercise: Strength training
Phase of life: Over 50 Vata increases in the body manifesting as more dryness, fragility, and wisdom.
Pitta
Ruled by fire, fire/air, fire/earth, fire/water
Mental: Hard working, driven, strong willed, stubborn, intelligent, witty, accomplished, arrogant, perfectionistic, disciplined, loyal.
Sleep: Able to fall asleep easily but may struggle to stay asleep. They may also sleep hard and sound for 6 hours and they may not feel like they need a lot of sleep.
Physical traits: Athletic, strong, medium build, able to build muscle, red skin, oily skin, sweats easily, rarely gets sick.
Digestion: Usually strong and regular but prone to loose bowels or acid reflux and heartburn.
Systems most affected: Skin, blood, cardiovascular, liver, kidneys, and digestive.
Foods to minimize: Alcohol, coffee, tomatoes, citrus, and anything spicy.
Foods to increase: Hydrating fruits and veggies, ghee, avocado, steamed veggies, quinoa, sweet potatoes, coconut, lean protein.
Ideal exercise: Gentle cardio and yoga. Avoid heavy exercise mid-day.
Phase of life: During our 20s and through our 40s we are in our Pitta or driven, energetic, accomplishing, phase of life.
Kapha
Ruled by water and earth.
Mental: Chill or easy going personality, in balance; mentally positive and out of balance; depressed and exhausted, unbothered, logical, good long term memory, focused, grounded.
Sleep: Falls and stays asleep easily, may over sleep and become imbalanced from that.
Physical: Solid and strong bones, gains weight easily, soft and supple skin, thick hair, large eyes, thick lashes and strong teeth.
Digestion: Prone to weak or slow digestion with sticky constipation or bloating.
Systems most affected: Lymphatic, cardiovascular, digestive, liver, and endocrine.
Foods to minimize: Sugar, excessive amounts of carbs, dairy and salt.
Foods to increase: Warming soups with lots of veggies and fiber from whole grains and legumes, intermittent fasting.
Ideal exercise: HIIT, cardio and all exercises bring balance.
Phase of life: From when we are born until our late teens it is a carefree, easy going, phase of life. Our bodies are more full of hydration and fluids during these years from having more kapha in our systems.