What Is Ayurveda

A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH

Ayurveda is a system of health & wellness developed in ancient India over 5,000 years ago. At the core of Ayurveda is a functional medicine approach based on a simple classification system. This system matches diet, lifestyle, and herbs to the individual to improve health & wellness.

A FORM OF HABIPATHY

Ayurveda is a form of habipathy , the study of how lifestyle and habit contribute to the health, wellness, and disease process. Specifically, Ayurveda studies the characteristics of habits, and the characteristics of their influence on the body. It groups habits and disorders into types or categories (called gunas ) to assess general strains on the body. For example, eating spicy food would be classified as a heating habit. 

A rash would be categorized as a heat disorder. Once the habit has been categorized, Ayurveda then suggests habits from opposite categories that restore balance. For example , eating spicy food would therefore be contraindicated for a rash in Ayurveda. Instead, cooling foods are recommended, like cucumber. Using these categories to balance diet, habit and lifestyle, Ayurveda increases the overall strength and resiliency of the person, improves quality of life, and minimizes the effects of disease.

Functional Ayurveda's greatest strengths are in the areas of digestion, skin care, stress management, and fertility. Function al Ayurveda offers some of the most advanced and cutting edge digestive health solutions out there. You can't take the doctor home with you, but what you do at home matters. Functional Ayurveda is a do it yourself health and wellness system that facilitates self care at home. It is an easy to understand, simple to do, inexpensive and practical approach used for prevention of disease, recovery from illness, and to improve vitality. It is not just a list of home remedies, but a n approach to help you figure out how to make choices.

SCIENCE OF LIFE

Ayurveda literally means the science of life. The core of Ayurveda's health approach offers much more than freedom from disease, but total well being. Functional Ayurveda looks at the whole person when assessing health, rather than the parts alone. Functional Ayurveda believes that a highly personalized approach brings the best results possible. 

To achieve its results, Ayurveda uses a classification system As you start your journey in Functional Ayurveda, you'll love how great Functional Ayurveda makes you feel, and the balance i t brings to your life. Ayurveda was the primary form of medicine in India for thousands of years. This functional core of Ayurveda is still the easiest and most effective way to maintain health & wellness from home. 

To get started, we recommend finding your body type first. 

YOUR DOSHAS

In Ayurveda we view a person as a unique individual made up of five primary elements. The elements are ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth. Just as in nature, we too have these five elements in us. When any of these elements are present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. The foods we eat and the weather are just two examples of the presence of these elements. While we are a composite of these five primary elements, certain elements are seen to have an ability to combine to create various physiological functions.

THE TRI-DOSHA THEORY

Each person has all three Doshas, but usually one or two dominate. Various Dosha proportions determine one's physiological and personality traits, as well as general likes and dislikes. For example Vata types will prefer hot weather to cold and Kapha types are more likely to crave spicy foods than other types.


Vata Dosha

Ether and air combine to form what is known in Ayurveda as the Vata dosha . Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination.  


Energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion, including blood circulation, breathing, blinking, and your heartbeat.
  • In balance: There is creativity and vitality.
  • Out of balance: Can produce fear and anxiety.

Pitta Dosha

Fire and water are the elements that combine to form the Pitta dosha . The Pitta dosha is the process of transformation or metabolism. The transformation of foods into nutrients that our bodies can assimilate is an example of a pitta function. Pitta is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as cellular metabolism. 

Energy that controls the body's metabolic systems, including digestion, absorption, nutrition, and your body's temperature. 
  • In balance: Leads to contentment and intelligence. 
  • Out of balance: Can cause ulcers and anger.

Kapha Dosha 

Finally, it is pre dominantly the water and earth elements which combine to form the Kapha dosha . Kapha is what is responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit. Another function of the Kapha dosha is to offer protection. Cerebral sp inal fluid protects the brain and spinal column and is a type of Kapha found in the body. Also, the mucousal lining of the stomach is another example of the Kapha dosha protecting the tissues. 

Energy that controls growth in the body. It supplies water to all body parts, moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system.
  • In balance: Expressed as love and forgiveness. 
  • Out of balance: Can lead to insecurity and envy.

Free Quiz

DISCOVER YOUR DOSHAS

Take this short quiz to determine your unique dosha blend!
Take Quiz
Share by: