Ayurveda is an ancient Indian science for daily living that allows for an awakening into greater harmony and balance in our mind - body states so we flow naturally without resistance or unnecessary disruption to our systems. To find out your dosha, drop me an email for a copy of a quiz to guide you through a process of self-discovery, embodied inquiry and honest reflection through the lens of Ayurveda – literally translated as the science of life. Understanding your dosha allows you to support balanced health in body, mind, and spirit.
The three dosha are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha which are composed of a combination of the five elements (pancha mahabhuta) - earth - prithivi, water - jala, fire - agni/tejas, air - vayu and space - akash. We all have a unique combination of these three dosha which remain constant throughout life and serves as a blueprint for health. Learning our unique dosha combination and understanding our constitution can reveal our natural strengths and identify our challenges.
Our lifelong natural state is called prakriti — what we are born with which includes our inherent personality type and individual characteristics. Environmental factors such as seasonal change and lifestyle choices impact on our dominant dosha which can then shift out of balance. These reactive changes are known as vikriti or our current state. By supporting choices which pacify or balance the dosha, we can return to our predominant natural state in which we experience flow and harmony.
Vata : The Creative Artistic Free Spirit
Vata is the principle of movement and change. It is made up of the elements of air and space. If there is a predominance of Vata dosha in your nature, there is a tendency to be thin, light, and quick in thought and action. When Vata is balanced, it generates creativity, enthusiasm, and liveliness.
When Vata is out of balance, too much air has accumulated in mind, body, and environment. The result is a sense of flightiness, not feeling rooted or grounded. It can manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, indigestion, and dry skin. The best way to balance Vata is to bring more earth element and stability.
Mind - Creative, quick, imaginative
Body - Thin, light frame
Skin & Hair - Dry
Appetite - Delicate, spontaneous, tendency to skip meals
Routine - Variable, spontaneous
Temperament - Welcomes new experiences, enthusiastic, friendly, energetic
Communication - Talkative
Stress Response - Tendency to blame oneself and ask, “What did I do wrong?”
In balance +
Energetic
Bubbly
Enthusiastic
Friendly
Positive
Out of Balance -
Nervous
Anxious
Forgetful
Spacey
Think, feel, imagine - calming, relaxing, grounding
Adopt regular routines for bedtime by practicing sleep hygiene techniques and awaken at the same time every day
Meditate with mantra in the morning and evening to quieten the fluctuations of the mind
Practice restorative yin yoga to connect with your body
Practice nadi shodhana pranayama such as alternate nostril - anuloma viloma breath
Eat warm meals regularly and favour sweet, sour, and salty tastes
Essential oils – clove, cinnamon, geranium, chamomile, sandalwood, citronella
Perform a slow daily self-massage (abhyanga) with warm relaxing oil
Diffuse relaxing oils into the environment
Drink relaxing herbal tea
Favour greens and yellows
Stay warm by wearing socks, gloves, jumpers and wrapping yourself with cosy blankets
Create rhythms, patterns and routines in your life
Vata Balancing Practice 1 & 2 on YouTube now
Om Bhu Devaya Namah
I invoke the grounding, strengthening, regenerative energies of Earth Mother
Bhu Mudra - thumb, ring and little finger fold in, index and middle extend in inverted V towards the earth
Pitta : The Ambitious Fearless Warrior Leader
Pitta is the principle of transformation and metabolism. It is made up of the elements of fire and water. Those with a predominance of Pitta tend to have muscular bodies, penetrating minds, and a determined spirit. When Pitta is balanced, it fosters warmth, intelligence, and natural leadership.
When Pitta is out of balance, too much fire has accumulated in mind, body, and environment. The result is a sense of internal and external combustion which can be explosive. It can manifest in irritability and aggressive behaviour and lead to physical symptoms such as heartburn, acne and ulcers. The best way to balance Pitta is to bring more space and coolness.
Mind - Sharp, intellectual, direct, precise, discerning
Body - Medium build, warm, muscular
Skin - Sensitive, prone to acne and flushing
Hair - Tendency towards early greying or thinning
Appetite - Strong, can eat almost anything, anytime
Routine - Precise and organized
Temperament - Passionate, ambitious, courageous
Communication - Speaks to convey a point
Stress Response - Tendency to blame others and ask, “What did you do wrong?”
In balance +
Decisive
Funny
Co-operative
Confident
Perceptive
Courageous
Strong
Out of Balance -
Angry
Workaholic
Authoritarian
Critical
Aggressive
Vain
Proud
Irritable
Think, feel, imagine - cooling, soothing and nurturing
Spend time outside, in nature by the sea or river
Favour cooling tastes which are sweet, bitter, and astringent
Eat mindfully with awareness
Meditate twice a day using visualisation or candle gazing (tratak) to soothe the mind and relax the body
Practice yin yoga, yoga outside in nature or chandra namaskar - moon salutations
Practice a cooling breath such as sitali or sitkari pranayama
Schedule space in your day for self care or a break
Perform a slow self-massage (abhyanga) with soothing oil
Diffuse soothing oils into your environment
Essential oils – lime, spearmint, ylang ylang, chamomile, fennel, vanilla, sandalwood
Favour cool colours – blue, green, and white
Stay cool by wearing natural fabrics such as cotton or linens
Drink soothing herbal tea
Engage in non-competitive physical activities such as walking
Be more playful and joy seeking
Pitta Pacifying Practice 1 & 2 on YouTube now
Varuna Gayatri Mantra
Om Jalabimbaya Vidmahi
Nila Purushaya Dheemahi
Tanno Varuna Prachodayat
Let me meditate on the reflection of wtaer
Consciousness of ocean blue, give me higher intellect
And let the Varuna, deity of water illuminate my mind
Varuna Mudra -thumb and little finger touch
Kapha : The Devoted Loving Tender Confidant Kapha is the principle of protection, nourishment, and stability. It is made up of the earth and water elements. If you have a predominance of Kapha in your nature, there is a tendency to be heavier set with a calm, grounded presence and a tendency to think things through and move at a slow, measured pace. When Kapha is balanced, it creates calmness, sweetness, and loyalty. When Kapha is out of balance, too much earth has accumulated in mind, body, and environment. The result is a sense of sluggishness, congestion and dullness. When Kapha is out of balance, it can cause weight gain, lethargy and resistance to healthy change. The best way to balance Kapha is to bring more movement and circulation. Mind - Attention to detail, steady, consistent
Body - Sturdy, gains weight easily Skin - Smooth, oily Hair - Thick, oily Appetite - Takes pleasure in savouring food and has a slow digestion
Routine - Methodical and steady, resistant to change Temperament - Thoughtful, forgiving, sweet, patient, loving, content, slow-moving Communication - Simple and profound Stress Response - Tendency to withdraw and say “I don’t want to deal with it!"
In balance +
Diplomatic
Kind
Generous
Loyal
Forgiving
Out of Balance -
Stubborn
Grudge holding
Melancholy
Feeling stuck
Insecure
Lethargic
Materialistic
Think, feel, imagine - action, invigorating and awakening
Actively seek for opportunities to create healthy change
Awaken early at sunrise and take a mindful walk
Meditate twice a day to gain clarity of vision and intentions
Practice hatha yoga and add surya namaskar - sun salutations
Practice bhastrika - bellows breath, kappalabhati - shining skull breath or simihasana pranayama - lion's breath
Favour pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes
Eat mindfully when hungry
Be spontaneous and try new challenges and experiences
De-clutter and clean spaces around you
Drink invigorating herbal tea
Perform a vigorous self-massage (abhyanga) with warm invigorating oil
Diffuse invigorating oils into your environment
Essential oils – tea tree, lavender, peppermint, sage, and eucalyptus
Favour bright strong colours such as reds, oranges, and yellows
Kapha Pacifying Practice 1 & 2 on YouTube now
Om Namaha Shivaya
I bow to the inner Self
Na – Earth, Mah – Water, Shi – Fire, Va – Air, Ya - Space
Kapha Karaah Mudra - extend index and middle fingers and bring tips of thumb, ring and little fingers to touch
Kapha Nashaah Mudra - extend index and middle fingers and bring thumb to knuckle of ring and little fingers
Om shanti, shanti, shanti
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