What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, a sophisticated healing system that dates back around 5,000 years, offers deep insights into our interaction with nature. Derived from Sanskrit, the term “Ayurveda” combines “Ayu” meaning life and “veda” meaning knowledge, science, enlightenment or understanding. So, Ayurveda translates to an understanding of life and this is exactly what it aims to do – to help us make sense of existence itself.
The four pillars of life
According to Ayurveda, life is composed of four aspects: the body, the mind, the sensory functions, and the soul. All of these aspects are prone to disease except for the soul which is the eternal observer. The primary goal of Ayurveda is to support the body to maintain a state of balance among these aspects, promoting healthy longevity.
The comprehensive scope of Ayurvedic knowledge
The study of Ayurveda is rooted in a vast body of texts that cover a wide range of subjects including meteorology, mathematics, astrology and other sciences. This provides a backdrop for understanding health in its broader context such as seasonal adaptations and circadian rhythms.
Taking a holistic approach to health, Ayurveda looks beyond the human body to see it as an extension of the nature it inhabits. Rather than seeing symptoms as isolated and independent occurrences, they are understood as signals of deeper imbalances intricately connected to the multi-layered body-mind relationship with our surroundings.
The philosophy of evolution
Ayurveda is grounded in the Sankhya philosophy which can be best understood as the philosophy of evolution. It describes how interaction sparks the beginning of evolution, leading to a sense of self and transforming further until tangible manifestations occur. This evolutionary process can be seen everywhere in natural phenomena, from the growth of a bud into a flower to the progression of a disease. Something moves from its potential state into a fully materialised state.
Out of this process emerge the five great elements essential for life: Space/Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth. These elements are not only visible performing in nature (wind blowing the trees or fire burning in a candle), but also are also in in action within our bodies:
Space/Ether: Without space, nothing can exist as there is nowhere for anything to be present. Within our body, this can be seen as the hollow parts. such as vessels, abdominal cavities, respiratory and digestive tracts.
Air: Responsible for all movement within and outside of the body including swallowing, electrical impulses, excretion and nutrient absorption into cells.
Fire: With the power to transform, it oversees all processes of conversion such as metabolism, enzymatic action, hormonal activity, and the transformation of all incoming information into knowledge.
Water: Able to hold and lubricate, this behaves as our bodily secretions and protective fluids.
Earth: Its solid quality offers the body structural integrity seen in bones, fat and muscle.
The five great elements and three doshas
The three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha
All five elements converge to form three bio-physiological energies known as doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The term “dosha” means that which can become imbalanced, suggesting that these energies are prone to disruption or being triggered.
Each individual carries all three doshas in varying proportions, giving them their unique DNA makeup or Prakirti. Over time, as we move through life, different environments, and meet different people and circumstances, these external influences can alter these doshas resulting in a changed state known as Vikirti.
Qualities and functions of the Doshas
Within the body and mind, the doshas perform important physiological and mental activity and have key sites that they oversee:
Vata: A combination of space and air, Vata is mobile, cool, light, and rough in quality. It is responsible for all movement within the body from the movement of the skeletal system, to the peristaltic movement within the gut lining, and the electrical impulses moving along our entire nervous system. It is also responsible for movement within the mind, the flow of thoughts and ideas. When in balance, Vata dosha gives us clarity of thought, creativity, healthy functioning of our nervous and respiratory systems, as well as proper elimination. However, when out of balance, this movement can go into overdrive, leading to a flurry of thoughts causing anxiety, or erratic movement within our nervous system, gastrointestinal system, or respiratory system. This looks like neurological disorders, problems like constipation or breathing difficulties. Rather than smooth movement, we see movement that is interrupted, jerky or paralysed completely. As Vata dosha is responsible for all catabolic action in the body, too much of this will also lead to dryness and a wasting away (catabolism).
Pitta: Made mainly of fire with a little water, Pitta is hot, sharp, oily, and penetrating. It is responsible for all metabolic functions including the processing of sensory information and digestion. Whether it’s an image our eyes are seeing, words our ears are hearing, or food our tongue is tasting, Pitta dosha makes sense of all this inflow of data and converts it into something useful. This gives Pitta dosha the ability to decipher or make judgements, be intelligent, sharp, and fiery. In health, this ability to discern supports efficient metabolism, a strong digestion, thought processes and high energy levels. However, when out of balance, our digestive power, (physical and mental) becomes weak, overheated, and exhausted leading to inflammatory illnesses.
Kapha: Just as water and earth become solid when brought together, Kapha is stable, dense, cool, moist and heavy. It is responsible for anabolic functions, providing lubrication, immunity and structural stability. Think the moisture of the mucosal lining in the gut, the secretions in our nose and throat, the synovial fluid that bathes our joints and well-built muscle, bone and adipose tissue. All these liquids and structures play a protective role in our body. In health, the water and earth elements give a person a sense of stability, which brings about a feeling of contentment, love and generosity. However, when out of balance, the holding power of the water and earth elements, can give rise to attachment, stubbornness, and a fixed mindset. Physically, this can appear as fluid retention, growths, and excess mucous production.
Disease and imbalance
Through our interactions with our surroundings, the balance of the doshas can be disturbed. When this occurs, it leads to imbalances in the mind and body. Today, modern medicine uses terminology and diagnoses such as GERD, eczema or conjunctivitis. While Ayurveda does not use the same terms, these disease processes are still recognised and described through the lens of doshic imbalances.
Putting it all together
Ayurveda uses scientific inference, deduction, examination techniques, assessment of the doshas, questioning and sampling, to make a differential diagnosis. What sets Ayurveda apart is that it then offers an “action prescription” that requires the client to actively participate in their own healing journey. This might include adjustments to daily routines, diet, movement, massage, herbs and breathing exercises. In this way, Ayurveda provides a truly holistic approach to our wellbeing.
Note:This is just an introductory snapshot of an extensive system. Ayurveda offers so much more in the way of explaining, for example, duality, universal qualities and phytomedicine. Look out for upcoming blog posts on other aspects of Ayurveda.
If you’re wondering how Ayurveda could support your health, get in touch and book a free mini consultation with me.