The Basics Of Ayurveda

In a world of quick fixes, endless trends and airbrushed faces, it’s all too easy to lose sight of our innate wisdom and unique beauty. Growing up in the ’90s, my mother would oil massage my hair for strength and shine, give me soaked almonds for brain power, fennel seeds to soothe period pains, and turmeric milk for a good night’s sleep. It was all lovely — but I was drawn instead to Jolene bleach for my facial hair, crimpers to wave my locks, vibrating plates to tone my body, SlimFast shakes, and the cabbage diet for weight loss. My futile attempts left me feeling ever more out of place, dejected and ugly.

When my own children were born, I knew the way I had treated my body wasn’t what I wanted for them. I was drawn back to my mother’s nurturing rituals and to the beauty of Ayurveda — which even has a word for violent acts against the body and mind: Prajnaparadha, meaning actions that are sometimes deliberate and at other times stem from a lack of awareness.

But what is Ayurveda, you may be wondering? Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old healing system from India, increasingly supported by modern scientific studies on wellbeing and longevity. Translating to “the science of living”, Ayurveda is profound in its simplicity and offers a way to live in harmony with our true nature, rather than forcing ourselves to meet society’s ideals of perfection.

What I appreciate most is how Ayurveda recognises the interconnectedness of all things. Our bodies are a microcosm of nature — just as some plants are dry and others lush, some thrive in sunshine while others prefer shade, we too have unique elemental make-ups suited to different diets and lifestyles.

The starting point for discovering your mind–body type lies in the knowledge of “dosha”.

The word “dosha” literally translates to “fault” — or more accurately, an imbalance of body and mind. Understanding your individual mind–body type unlocks insight into the foods, self-care rituals, exercise, meditation and breathing techniques that will help bring you back into balance. In time, you become so attuned to your own discomfort that you instinctively know how to course-correct in ways that feel safe — and with that, balance is restored.

Fundamentally, we are microcosms of nature, made up of the elements Air, Ether, Fire, Water and Earth. What differs between us as individuals is the degree to which these elements govern our physical and emotional wellbeing.

The first of the three mind–body types is “Vata”, which has the qualities of Air and Ether. Within the body, Vata governs movement and all sensory functions. Those of a Vata-dominant nature tend to be highly creative. They walk, talk, think, spend and act quickly. They’re fast learners, but can grow bored easily, and are just as quick to forget. Given the nature of Air and Ether, they often have prominent joints, dry hair and skin, asymmetrical features, and cold extremities. 

When in balance, they’re the life and soul of any room; when out of balance, they can become anxious, forgetful and find it difficult to sleep. What Vatas need most are warm, nourishing foods and oils, gentle walks, meditation to calm the mind, and — perhaps most importantly — routine. While Vata types may resist routine, it’s the very thing that grounds and stabilises them. If nothing else, it’s key to bookend their days in the same way. 

Next, we have “Pitta” dosha, which is made up of Fire and Water. A simple way to understand the doshas is through metaphor: fire is sharp and penetrating, it spreads fast and builds heat. The Pitta function in the body governs chemical transformations related to digestion, metabolism and the assimilation of energy — both physically and emotionally. 

Physically, Pittas often have piercing features, strong, athletic builds, radiant skin and straight or fine hair. Mentally, they’re ambitious, intelligent and intense — they make natural leaders who achieve great success. 

When balanced, Pitta types enjoy excellent digestion, strong metabolism and deep, restorative sleep (albeit in short bursts). When imbalanced, however, they can become impatient, irritable, dominant or cynical. They develop an aversion to heat, and symptoms may include sun sensitivity, excessive perspiration, rashes, ulcers, high blood pressure, acidity and burning eyes. Balance is restored through cooling foods, swimming, gardening, yoga and self-compassion meditations.

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Fatigue, low energy and lack of motivation are further signs of imbalance, and these are pronounced in winter months. To get back into balance, take a leap of faith and try something new, be it a hobby or meeting new people. Finally, we have “Kapha” dosha, which embodies the energy of Water and Earth. As we know, the earth grounds, supports and sustains — and that’s the very essence of Kapha. Loving, compassionate, easy-going and calm, Kaphas appreciate simple pleasures and an unhurried pace of life. Methodical, they take their time to learn but never forget it. Physically, Kapha types tend to have strong digestion, healthy sleep patterns, radiant skin and thick, glossy hair. They speak slowly and clearly. 

However, an excess of Kapha dosha can manifest as a slower metabolism, fluid retention, joint pain and respiratory issues. Resistant to change, imbalanced Kaphas may hold onto past hurts or remain stuck in unhelpful patterns and relationships that no longer serve them. Fatigue, low energy and lack of motivation are further signs of imbalance — particularly in the winter months. 

To get back into balance, Kaphas should take a leap of faith and try something new, be it a hobby or meeting new people. Physically, kick-boxing, trampolining or anything to boost lymphatic drainage and mood will help, as well as eating light but warm, spicy foods to flush out toxins and build resilience. Kapha is the mother earth of the Dosha, and when in balance, their grounding energy helps others to feel loved and cared for. 

So there you have it — a quick window into the world of Ayurveda. The more you learn, the more you will realise, the power is within you, as you.