The Wisdom of Ayurveda
The Science of Life, An Introduction
Ayurveda, a natural healing system originating from India, is over 5,000 years old and is regarded as the oldest form of healing science. The word "Ayurveda" comes from Sanskrit and translates to "Science of Life." It is often referred to as the sister science of yoga.
For thousands of years, Ayurveda was passed down orally from master teachers to their disciples, rooted in the wisdom and experience of ancient Vedic culture. Many of these teachers, known as Siddhas, are believed to have attained spiritual enlightenment and receive knowledge directly from the Source. Ayurveda has influenced many natural healing systems now familiar in the West, such as Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy. It is a comprehensive system for holistic health, healing, and lifestyle.
By understanding one's Prakruti (natural constitution), Ayurveda teaches how to follow a personalized diet and daily routine, ensuring the balance of the body's energies or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Maintaining this balance is essential for good health in Ayurvedic philosophy.
Knowledge is Power: Ayurveda is a profound and expansive field of knowledge, and in this class, we are only scratching the surface of its vast potential. Trust your experience, engage in practice, and allow your wisdom to grow over time. By studying renowned teachers such as Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Sarita Shrestha, and Jaisri Lambert, you can deepen your understanding of Ayurveda. It equips individuals to create balance between body, mind, and consciousness, tailored to their unique constitution, and helps to make necessary lifestyle adjustments to maintain this balance.
Unique Constitutions: In Ayurveda, every individual has a unique constitution known as their "Dosha" or "Vikruti" (original constitution). This is a personal blend of mental, physical, and emotional characteristics that define who we are. Our constitution is determined at conception and remains constant throughout life. Each person’s Dosha is a distinct combination of energies that influences their natural state of balance and well-being.
Returning to Your Original Constitution: Over time, life’s experiences—such as emotional stress, dietary habits, seasonal changes, physical trauma, work, and relationships—can lead us away from our original, balanced state. The central aim of Ayurveda is to return to harmony with our original constitution, also known as "Prakriti." Once we identify the factors that disturb this balance, we can take the necessary steps to eliminate their negative impact and restore equilibrium. In this process, Ayurveda focuses on understanding both "Vikruti" (current imbalances) and "Prakriti" (original constitution), guiding individuals back to their inherent state of balance.
Daily Routine (Dinacharya): Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of maintaining health through daily practices (dinacharya), seasonal routines (ritucharya), and nighttime habits (ratricharya). These routines vary depending on one’s environment, age, gender, and Dosha. While maintaining these practices can support overall health, illnesses can still occur. When this happens, seeking advice and support from a qualified Ayurvedic professional is recommended. For more information on Dinacharya, you can explore this resource: The Daily Routine.
The root cause of unhappiness, whether conscious or
subconscious, is lack of knowledge of ones true nature
(or Dosha in this case, in other cases it can be linked to
divine nature- that we are human beings having a
human experience)
~ Patanjali Sutras Chapter 2, verse 5
Although you may not understand completely or relate to the entire dinacharya it holds
some very important keys to health. Ask for support to develop a dinacharya right for
you or learn more about it.
Balancing the Human Being: Introducing the 3 Doshas, energies, or humors of the
body. The doshas or dosas in Sanskrit were originally developed in medical texts as an
effective way to teach and discuss about a group a bunch of properties (gunas) into 3
groups to make it easier to talk about in teachings without having to go into each guna.
Since there are English words that translate into these concepts, we use Vata, Pitta,
and Kapha also known as the 3 Doshas. These principles can be related to the body as
well and are made up of 10 pairs of opposite characteristics also called gunas, found in
nature. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are groups of these 10 pairs of opposite qualities.
Basic tenent of working with the Gunas and Doshas: Opposites decrease, and likes
increase.
A daily routine is absolutely necessary
to bring radical change in body, mind,
and consciousness. Routine helps to
establish balance in one's constitution.
It also regularizes a person's biological
clock, aids digestion, absorption and
assimilation, and generates self-esteem,
discipline, peace, happiness, and
longevity.
~Dr. Lad
The Gunas:
VATA:
Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement — composed of Space and Air. It
governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and
all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes. In balance, vata promotes
creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety. Gunas included
in Vata: dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear
• Dry – dry skin, hair, nails, lips, loneliness, fear, hoarse voice
Cold Hot
Light Heavy
Dry Oily
Subtle Gross
Clear Sticky
Mobile Static
Rough Smooth/Slimy
Sharp Slow/Dull
Hard Soft
Dense Porous/Liquid
• Light – low body weight, anxiety, small or frail body frame, sleep is light
• Cold – cold hands and feet, poor circulation, stiff muscles, indifference
• Rough – rough skin, cracking joints, cynical mood
• Subtle – fear, anxiety, insecurity, emotions, tremors, addictions
• Mobile – fast walking and talking, restlessness, insecurity
• Clear – isolation, creative, understands but forgets information quickly
Vata is associated with Air and Ether. In the body it promotes movement and lightness.
Vata predominant people are generally thin with irregular features, they are prone to dry skin.
When it is out of balance, there are often nervous problems, sleeplessness,
constipation, lower back pain, and headache.
Vata provides the essential motion for all bodily processes and is extremely vital for
health. Depending on where you live Vata is often increased in the fall and at the
change of seasons or windy seasons. Routine is a very effective tool to balance Vata
and to effectively ground moving energy. Vata is also between 2-6am and 2-6pm in
general and is also associated with the later years of life.
A person with Vata predominant characteristics generally is creative, intuitive, and has
wonderful ideas. They have quick minds, are flexible, and creative. They usually grasp
concepts quickly but often forget. They can be alert, always on the go, restless, and
very active. When Vata is predominant people can be seen walking fast and talking
fast. They tend to think fast however can often run out of steam quickly. They tend to
have less willpower, confidence, boldness and tolerance for fluctuation than other
types and often feel unstable and ungrounded. When out of balance, Vata shows itself
fear, anxiety, and nervousness. Vata predominant people tend to earn money quickly
and spend it quickly.
Partial to variable appetite and digestion, Vata predominant people are often attracted
to astringent foods like salad and raw vegetables, but their constitution is balanced by
warm, cooked foods and sweet, sour and salty tastes. With a tendency to produce little
urine, their feces are often hard, dry and small in size and quantity.
The home of Vata is the colon, as well as the brain, ears, bones, joints, skin and thighs.
Vata people are more susceptible to illnesses and disease involving the air principle,
such as gas, constipation, alzheimers, nerve disorders, emphysema, pneumonia and
arthritis, ticks, aching joints. Vata in the body tends to increase with age as is exhibited
by the drying and wrinkling of the skin.
The attributes of Vata being dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile and clear can be
aggravated by food or lifestyle things that have those qualities. Examples are: flying,
travelling alot, staying up between 2-6am. Loud noises, cold food or environments,
continual stimulation, drugs, sugar and alcohol all put Vata out of balance, as does
exposure to cold and cold liquids and foods. It is very important for Vata predominant
people to go to bed by 10 PM as they need more rest than the other types and to
engage in grounding and routine practices. In general, people with excessive Vata
respond most rapidly to grounding foods, hot baths, and to oil in their diet and on their
bodies. Abhyanga (or daily oil self massage) is also recommended before bathing.
General food guidelines for decreasing Vata:
• Follow the Vata pacifying diet, avoid Vata aggravating foods
• Include warm, well-cooked, unctuous foods
• Eat 3-4 small meals a day, snacks ok
• regularity in meal times
• Lots of oil in the diet
• Avoid raw foods and iced drinks
General guidelines for pacifying Vata:
• Stay warm & relaxed
• Avoid cold, frozen, and raw food, favor warm and unctuous foods
• Avoid extreme cold
• Follow a lifestyle routine whether it be daily, weekly, yearly or all of them
• Rest well
• Be creative, find and use creative outlets no matter how small
PITTA:
Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system — made up of Fire and Water. It
governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body
temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of
balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy. Gunas included in Pitta: oily, sharp,
hot, light, mobile, liquid
• Hot – passion, anger, high body temperature, strong appetite
• Sharp – sharp memory and intellect, irritability, improves concentration
• Light – bright eyes, light body frame, alertness
• Oily – oily skin, oily feces, vigor
• Liquid – excess urine and sweat, liquid stools
• Spreading (mobile) – rash, acne, leadership qualities, inflammation, seeks fame
Pitta dosha is associated with Fire and Water. In the body, it is primarily responsible for
metabolism and digestion. Some Pitta characteristics are medium-built bodies, good
intellect, fair skin, strong digestion, and good mental concentration. Pitta imbalances
show up as anger and aggression and stress-related conditions such as gastritis,
ulcers, colitis, liver problems, and hypertension.
Pitta predominant people have many of the qualities of fire. Fire is hot, spreading,
penetrating, sharp, and agitating. Similarly, Pitta predominant people have warm
bodies, penetrating ideas, and sharp intelligence. When out of balance, they can be
angry, frustrated, or irritated. They are medium build and height, often freckles or
glasses. They may have many freckles or moles. Their skin is warm and less wrinkled
than Vata predominant peoples skin. They often experience premature graying or hair
loss and have silky hair.
Pitta is synonymous with a strong metabolism, good digestion and appetite. While an
out of balance Pitta is attracted to what they don’t need, their constitution is balanced
by sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and cooling foods and environments.
Pitta predominant people are prone to fevers, rashes, acne, ulcers, inflammatory
diseases ,and jaundice. Common symptoms include burning sensation, itching,
ulceration, fever, inflammations, or irritations such as conjunctivitis, colitis, or sore
throats.
Pitta attributes are oily, hot, light, mobile, dispersing and liquid so an excess of any of
these qualities in or outside of a person can aggravate Pitta. Hot seasons are Pitta.
Pitta time is generally 10-2 am and pm. Perhaps you have noticed how if you are up
after 10pm you stay up as it becomes and often through Vata time. The Pitta stage of
life is from about 20-35 years of age when we are most driven and full of fire like
properties. The diet and lifestyle changes emphasize coolness—cool foods, avoidance
of chilies and spices, and cool climates. People with excessive pitta need to exercise
at the coolest part of the day.
General food guidelines for pacifying Pitta:
• Follow the Pitta pacifying diet, avoid Pitta aggravating foods
• Avoid sour, salty and pungent foods
• Vegetarianism: avoid most meat, eggs, alcohol and salt
• Eat and drink sweet, cooling and bitter foods and tastes
• Avoid fried foods
• Eat cooling foods, drink cooling drinks, avoid iced drinks and food
General guidelines for balancing Pitta:
• Avoid excessive heat
• Avoid excessive oil
• Avoid excessive steam
• Limit salt intake
• Eat cooling, non-spicy foods
• Exercise during the cooler part of the day
• Limit expectations, goals, and attachment to outcomes, go for a walk with no
destination
KAPHA:
Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure — bones, muscles, tendons — and
provides the “glue” that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha
supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the
skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and
forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy. Gunas included in
Kapha: heavy, slow/dull, cool, oily, slimy/smooth, soft, dense, stable, sticky/cloudy
• Heavy – large body frame, lethargy, tendency to be overweight
• Slow – slow walking and talking, slow digestion, patience
• Cool – cold/clammy skin, colds, cough, congestion, stagnation
• Oily – well-lubricated skin and joints, relaxation
• Smooth – smooth skin, calm nature, flexibility
• Dense – thick skin, nails and hair; thick subcutaneous fat, strength
• Soft – compassion, tenderness
• Static – attracted to a sedentary lifestyle, support, stability
• Cloudy – often foggy-minded and slow in the morning, attachment
Kapha dosha is associated with Water and Earth. Kapha predominant people are
generally large framed or heavy build with more oily complexions, prone to obesity,
lethargy, and depression. They tend to be slow, calm, compassionate and peaceful.
Kapha disorders include greed, possessiveness, attachement, and laziness physically
as obesity, fatigue, bronchitis, and sinus problems. Kapha is slow to get going but once
it gets going it has a lot of endurance and stamina. In balance, they tend to have
sweet, generous, and easygoing, loving dispositions and are stable and grounded
personalities. Kapha skin is oily and smooth. They tend to have large eyes and great
smiles. Kapha people evacuate slowly and feces tend to be soft, pale and oily.
Perspiration is moderate. Sleep is deep and prolonged. Kapha types are attracted to
sweet, salty and oily foods, but their constitutions are most balanced by bitter,
astringent and pungent tastes.
Kapha predominant people are prone to mucus type issues such as the flu, sinus
congestion. Out of balance Kapha shows up as sluggishness, excess weight, diabetes,
water retention, kidney stones, and headaches (there are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha type
headaches). Kapha can be aggravated as the moon gets full as there is a tendency for
water retention then. Winter and growing up is the time of greatest Kapha
accumulation and following the Kapha-balancing dietary and lifestyle changes are most
important during that season. Kapha time of day is 6-10am and pm. Kapha is
associated with childhood as we are building tissue and growing.
General food guidelines for pacifying Kapha:
• Follow the Kapha pacifying diet, avoid Kapha aggravating foods
• Favor bitter, astringent and pungent tastes
• Avoid dairy products and fats of any kind, especially fried or greasy foods
• Eat light foods
General guidelines for balancing Kapha:
• Get moving, excercise intensely
• Vary routine
• Avoid fatty, oily foods
• Eat light
The 20 Gunas:
The 20 Gunas: The word Guna means “quality.” Within our bodies, the environment,
our minds, food and drink, and anything else in existence, we notice different qualities
that work together to create the action of a substance. In Ayurveda, there are the 20
gunas in 10 pairs of opposite qualities that are used to describe different substances
Cold: The quality of cold decreases Pitta's heat, even to the point of slowing digestion
and reducing one's immune functions. It increases Vata and Kapha dosha. Cold
creates contraction, insensitivity, numbness, stagnation, and fear. In extremes it can
even cause unconsciousness. Related to: numbness, unconsciousness, contraction,
Life presents us with many
challenges and opportunities
~ Dr Lad
stagnation, fear, insensitivity, mucus, slows digestion, reduces immunity, sore throat,
congestion
Hot: The quality of hot is opposite to cold, which helps to decrease the coldness that
Vata and Kapha experiences, therefore digestion, assimilation and absorption are
increased. It increases Pitta dosha, so we must watch for a rise in inflammation, anger
and frustration. It liquify the waxy density of Kapha, and relaxes the contraction and
fear of Vata. Just notice what happens when ingesting spicy food, like horseradish,-
lots of expansion and liquefaction. Related to: gastric fire, improves circulation,
digestion, absorption, assimilation, liquifies kapha (like wax), cleansing, irritable, anger,
ulcers, quick to criticize, inflammation
Light: This quality of light decreases Kapha's heaviness, therefore it is the opposite to
heavy. It is increasing to Vata and Pitta dosha. It help create alertness and is refreshing.
It cleansing, and increases digestion. It reduces bulk, which is one reason lettuce and
other light, leafy greens may be constipating for Vata predominant people especially or
aggravate Vata. Related to: alert, attentive, spaciness, ungrounded, insecurity, fear,
anxiety, reduces bulk
Heavy: The heavy quality decrease Vata and Pitta, through grounding, stabilizing and
supporting an increase of weight. . It adds bulk to the body and digestion therefore
aggravating to Kapha, which is why they should stand clear of foods like meat, bread,
dairy and sugar which are predominately heavy. When we feeling heavy it produces
sleep which causes increased HGH (human growth hormone) levels in the body. Too
much sleep increases kapha, yet is extremely balancing to a Vata or Pitta. It slows
digestion and metabolism, making one feel lethargic. Related to: growth, sleep,
nourishment, groundedness, stability, centered, dullness, slow digestion, stubborn
Dry: The dry quality is quite aggravating to Vata. It decreases Pitta and Kapha. It
creates dehydration, make the stool hard, which is another source of constipation. Like
dry wood, it stimulates fire, and pressure causing constriction, coughing and spasms.
The fall season is related to vata, and will cause dry, chapped and rough skin. Dry
creates a feeling of separation, isolation and loneliness. One may be more nervous
when the nerves become dry and unstable. Related to: dehydration, constipation,
stimulates fire, choking, constriction, spasm, pain, dry rough skin, fear, nervousness,
loneliness, isolation, separation, rejection, independence
Oily (Unctuous): This quality creates imbalance within a kapha or pitta environment. It
is relaxing, clogging to the system, and yet this nourishing quality is synonymous to
Love and compassion. We must notice when we get too sappy and content in
relationship, as stagnation is right around the corner! Related to: relaxation,
smoothness, moisture, lubrication, vigor, compassion, love, nourishing, manipulation
Subtle: With lack of substance, the subtle quality can aggravate Vata causing
spaciness, and Pitta causing over-sensitivity and covertness. It decreases Kapha by
increasing awareness and a sense of freedom. Meditation, ritual, mantra, tantra, herbs
such as marijuana, nutmeg and alcohol can increase subtle. Related to: drugs and
herbs, essential oils, alcohol, aspirin, emotional, penetrates subtle tissues.
Gross: The quality of gross is balancing for Vata and Pitta, yet is aggravating to
Kapha, since it causes obesity and blockages in the body/mind. It has a sedating
quality that reduces sensitivity, but can be grounding and stabilizing. Related to:
obstruction, obesity, meat, cheese, excessiveness
Clear: The quality of clear increases Vata and Pitta, yet decreases Kapha's over
attachments. It can create a feeling of isolation, separation and disconnection. Fasting,
raw food diets, purgatives and laxatives all increase clearness, which may show up as
self-righteous. Related to: isolation diversion, purification, too much cleansing,
pacification
Sticky (Cloudy): The quality of sticky and cloudy increases kapha, and decreases pitta
and vata. Sticky causes cohesiveness in the mind/body, therefore attachment
and ama (toxins). Cloudy causes lack of clarity and unclear perceptions, but will also
mend tears, breaks and fractures. Dairy products increase mucous which is cloudy.
Related to: cohesiveness, attachment, lack of perception, dairy, confusion
Mobile: Increased vata and pitta occur with the mobile quality which produces
restlessness, tremors, excess motion, shakiness and fear. Feeling of insecurity arise
which too much change to absorb properly, yet stagnation is resolve with mobile.
Related to: motion, shakiness, restlessness, thoughts, , feelings, emotions, insecurity,
jogging, jumping, physical activity, instability
Static: The quality Static ncreases blockages in Kapha, creating obstruction and
immobility in the body, and fixedness in the mind. Pitta and Vata are decreased by
stillness it generates bringing a feeling of wholeness and stability. Related to: stability,
support, sitting quietly, healing, obstruction, faith
Rough: This quality increases Vata and decreases Pitta and Kapha. Dryness,
constipation, cracking skin and bones, and absorption are increased by rough. Foods
that have roughage are raw vegetables, and the bran of most grains and beans.
Related to: dryness, absorption, constipation, raw vegetables, many beans, rigidity,
cracking, carelessness
Smooth/Slimy: The smooth quality increases Pitta and Kapha but decreases Vata.
Foods such as ghee and oily foods including avocados, and cheese are rich in
this guna. It creates lubrication and supports flexibility and helps to prevent arthritis
and osteoporosis. Helping to feel loved and cared for it takes the rough edges out of
life. Related to: cheese, oils, avocado, ghee, lubricates, flexible, prevents osteoporosis
& arthritis, caring, discrimination
Sharp: The sharp quality increases both Vata and Pitta, and decreases Kapha. Fire is
sharp and hot therefore foods like chili and horseradish increase the former doshas.
Because of its sharpness, it can cut through kapha's inertia and laziness.It increases
the ability to learn, understand, comprehend and makes one "sharp as a tack". In
excess it can lead to an ulcer. Anger is sharp, cutting and penetrating. Related to: spicy
foods, fire, improves learning, concentration, understanding, appreciation,
comprehension, ulcers, think too much, penetrates, loudness, keen intellect
Slow/Dull: This quality increases Kapha while decreasing Vata and Pitta. One will feel
dull in the mind, or sluggishness and inertia in the body and digestive system when in
excess. If one is feeling rushed or frazzled, it is balancing by its calming, quieting and
silencing action on the mind. Foods that are fatty and rich have a dull quality. Related
to: sluggish, relaxation, dull, calm, quiet, silence, rich & fatty foods, thoughtful
Hard: The hard quality increases both Vata and Kapha, and decreases Pitta. It helps to
firm and strengthen muscles, can cause cysts to turn into a tumor over time. When a
person is hardened by life's challenges, you will notice that the mind to becomes rigid,
callous and insensitive. Selfishness is also experienced when we are closed to other's
through lack of softness. Related to: tumor, strength, rigidity, selfishness, callousness,
insensitivity, callouses
Soft: This quality increases pitta and kapha, and decreases vāta. It promotes softness
in the body, decreases tone in the muscles and heart. To open our heart, increase love
and tenderness we would increase this quality. It is relaxing and calms vāta's rough
quality. Related to: delicacy, relaxation, tenderness, love, care, mucous
Dense/Solid (Concentrated): The dense quality refers to its highly concentrated
nature. It increases Kapha by decreasing Vata and Pitta. Animal foods are dense, such
as flesh and cheese. It is grounding and compacting to the body, therefore used by
vāta to bring stability. It encourages strength, solidity and firmness. It assists one in
present moment awareness. Dense/ Solid’s opposite is both porous (vata) and liquid
(pitta). Related to: meat, cheese, compactness, grounded, stability, solid, density,
strength, firmness of healthy muscle, highly concentrated
Porous/Liquid (Less Concentrated): Liquid is dissolving and liquifying. We need to
understand that the quality drava is less concentrated, which promotes porosity in
vāta and liquidity causing pitta. Surely Kapha is liquid, yet it is slightly decreased
by Liquid when it is in a more concentrated form. Salt water is sandra, and when
purified to clear water it becomes Liquid. It promotes salivation, cohesiveness, and
compassion. Related to: diluted, water, salivation, compassion, cohesiveness, water
retention, flexibility
So take a look at what your are ingesting from your environment, as nutrition,
from your own daily routine and life and consider their gunas and effects and
make any necessary adjustments. Remember that your progress made toward
balance and health depends on how closely you follow the diet & lifestyle
“Balanced dosha, healthy agni, a good state
of tissues and their metabolic end products
lead to a balanced state of the senses, mind,
and spirit, all of which lead to good health.”
– Sushruta Samhita, Chap.75/41
recommendations for your Constitution. You are responsible for the speed and
fullness with which you come into and stay balanced.
Leaving Space here for you to write notes about what you could adjust:
eg. Less screen time: pitta, bed before 10pm, less salt ..
And any intentions you may have for your Diet & Lifestyle
Differences between Ayurveda and Western Medicine:
The basic difference between Ayurveda and Western allopathic medicine is important
to understand. Western allopathic medicine currently tends to focus on symptoms or
symptomology and disease, and primarily uses drugs and surgery to rid the body of
disease and other issues. Ayurveda avoids focusing on disease. It maintains that all life
must be supported by energy in balance. When there is minimal stress and the flow of
energy within a person is balanced, the body’s natural defenses will be strong and the
body’s systems can more easily maintain health and defend against disease.
“It must be emphasized that Ayurveda is not a substitute for Western allopathic
medicine. There are many instances when the disease process and acute conditions
can best be treated with drugs or surgery. Ayurveda can be used in conjunction with
Western medicine to make a person stronger and less likely to be afflicted with disease
and/or to rebuild the body after being treated with drugs or surgery.
We all have times when we don’t feel well and recognize that we’re out of balance.
Sometimes we go to the doctor only to be told there is nothing wrong. What is actually
occurring is that this imbalance has not yet become recognizable as a disease. Yet it is
serious enough to make us notice our discomfort. We may start to wonder whether it is
just our imagination. We may also begin to consider alternative measures and actively
seek to create balance in our body, mind and consciousness.
Evaluation and Treatment of Imbalances
Ayurveda encompasses various techniques for assessing health. The practitioner
carefully evaluates key signs and symptoms of illness, especially in relation to the
origin and cause of an imbalance. They also consider the patient’s suitability for various
treatments. The practitioner arrives at diagnosis through direct questioning,
observation and a physical exam, as well as inference. Basic techniques such taking
the pulse, observing the tongue, eyes and physical form; and listening to the tone of
the voice are employed during an assessment.
Palliative and cleansing measures, when appropriate, can be used to help eliminate an
imbalance along with suggestions for eliminating or managing the causes of the
imbalance. Recommendations may include the implementation of lifestyle changes;
starting and maintaining a suggested diet; and the use of herbs. In
some cases, participating in a cleansing program, called panchakarma, is suggested to
help the body rid itself of accumulated toxins to gain more benefit from the various
suggested measures of treatment.
In summary, Ayurveda addresses all aspects of life— the body, mind and spirit. It
recognizes that each of us is unique, each responds differently to the many aspects of
life, each possesses different strengths and weaknesses. Through insight,
understanding and experience Ayurveda presents a vast wealth of information on the
relationships between causes and their effects, both immediate and subtle, for each
unique individual. “ ~ Dr. Lad
How to use what you know:
Using this information how do we go about bringing ourselves into balance? Well, in
general, the answer in Ayurveda is always it depends. How you apply the wisdom of
Ayurveda will depend on every factor you can possibly consider and all the experience
you have or can access. Take your time, get to know yourself and your environment.
Learn, practice, investigate, get support.
Some resources to get you started: there is an excellent food guideline sheet and other
online resources here: https://www.ayurveda.com/resources/food-and-nutrition/food-
guidelines. Check out: dinacharya, recipes including kitcharee, and anything else that calls to you. Dr. Lad is one of the best. I highly recommend him and his teachings.
What I recommend is work and train with a qualified Ayurvedic professional and
develop your knowledge and skills. An Ayurvedic consultation is usually about 1 hour
long and a client comes away with 3 or 4 things they can do to improve their health. In
general you will look at the chief complaint and any secondary issues and apply the
Ayurvedic perspective on how to fix it and bring the body into as much health as
possible. Please explore dinacharya- the daily routine, home bastis, and any other
subject that attracts you. It is very helpful to receive a pulse diagnosis. For more
extreme health issues a cleansing of PanchaKarma is often recommended to help the
body fully reset. This along with these suggested readings below will go along way to
helping you support yourself and those you care about using the wisdom of Ayurveda.
If you would like some support, have any questions feel free to email me off my
website www.gratefulsurfyoga.com Wishing you all the best in your life’s journey and
your holistic wellness and leadership paths, Namaste
Bibliography & recommended resources:
Lad, Vasant. Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. Lotus Press: Santa Fe, 1984.
www.ayurveda.com
Shrestha, Sarita http://saritashrestha.org/
Usha Lad & Dr. Vasant Lad. Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing. 2d ed. The Ayurvedic Press:
Albuquerque, 1997. www.ayurveda.com
Morrison, Judith H. The Book of Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach to Health and Longevity. New
York: Simon & Schuster Inc., 1995, A Fireside Book.
Svoboda, Robert E. Prakruti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution. Geocom Limited: Albuquerque,
1989.
Lad, Vasant. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies. Harmony Books: New York,
1998.
Lad, Vasant. Secrets of the Pulse: The Ancient Art of Ayurvedic Pulse Diagnosis. The
Ayurvedic Press: Albuquerque, 1996.
Frawley, David, and Vasant Lad. The Yoga of Herbs. Lotus Press: Santa Fe, 1986.
Frawley, David. Ayurvedic Healing. Morson Publishing: Salt Lake City, 1989.

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