About Ayurveda.
Ayurveda means “the science of life” and is one
of oldest medical systems in the world; it originated in India
over 5,000 years ago. The goal of Ayurveda is to help people
live long, healthy and balanced lives through proper diet and
lifestyle modifications. Ayurveda is taken from two Sanskrit
words: ayus, which means life, and veda, which means knowledge.
The fundamentals of Ayurveda can be found in Hindu scriptures
called Vedas, which are ancient Indian books of wisdom. While
Ayurvedic principles may come from texts that are many thousands
of years old, they are just as applicable today as there were
when originally developed in India.
The Three Doshas
Ayurveda recognizes three main energies called Doshas that
are fundamental to all life. Western sciences know them as
catabolism (Vata), metabolism (Pita), and anabolism (Kapha).
These three doshas consist of the five elements: ether, air,
fire, water, and earth. We all have Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
within us, but in varying proportions. This is what makes us
so unique. However, if any of the Doshas accumulate in your
body beyond the desirable limit, in imbalance occurs. Optimum
health depends on getting a right balance of the three Doshas.
Dr. Soni and her team will recommend specific lifestyle and
nutritional guidelines to help you reduce the excess Dosha.
Here is a brief overview of each of the three Doshas:
Vata is composed of ether and air and is the energy of movement;
it directs essential body processes including breathing, heartbeat/circulation, thoughts and all movements of the body. Keeping your Vata in balance requires
preventive measures such as not staying up late at night or
eating before a previous meal has digested. Persons with Vata
as their primary Dosha are more susceptible to gas, bloating, constipation, indigestion, reflux disorders, sleep disorders, stress, pain/dysfunction and feelings of fear.
Pitta is made up of the elements fire and water; it is the
energy of metabolism and transformation and and controls the digestive
"fire" and liver function, among others. Your Pitta can become out of balance if
you eat spicy foods, spend too much time in the sun or have
poor sleep habits. Even feelings of fear or anger can upset
your Pitta. Persons with a primary Pitta constitution may develop
negative or hostile attitudes at work and in their personal
lives; they are also at increased risk for developing peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, liver and skin problems, high blood pressure and gaut, to name a few.
Kapha is the essential of water and earth. It is the backbone structure of the body and the container of Vata and Pitta. Kapha is responsible
for protecting the body by helping it maintain strength, immunity
and lubrication. Your Kapha’s balance can be affected
if you eat while you are full, eat too many foods with sugar
and/or sodium or drink beverages that contain high amounts
of sugar, sodium or artificial ingredients. In addition, daytime
sleeping can upset your Kapha. Conditions that can affect persons
with a predominant Kapha include diabetes, weight problems and respiratory illness.
Helpful Links:
www.medicalayurveda.com
www.onlinehealthresources.com/Alternative
www.everydayayurveda.org
www.ayurveda.com
www.ayurvedacollege.com
|
