Five Element Theory | Three Doshas |
Attributes Chart |
Prakruti Explained | Vata | Pitta | Kapha |
Skin Type
Survey
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that
can be broken down to its roots to understand its meaning. The word ayur means life and
longevity; the word veda
means pure knowledge.
In fact, the “Vedas” are volumes of sacred texts almost 3000
years old in which many different teachings finally moved from the
oral tradition to the written, including Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old
science, which had its birth in India. It is believed by many to be
the oldest healing science still known to man. It covers every aspect of
the human mind, body, and spirit, with its focus on happy, healthy
longevity. From when to
wake up, all the way to how to take care of your skin, it is all
included in the teachings of Ayurveda… the knowledge of life.
In the Beginning... Five Element Theory
To understand Ayurveda, one must first
know that its foundation lies in the three forces: Creation, Change, and
Destruction (sattva, rajas, and tamas in Sanskrit.) These three forces are
called gunas. One guna cannot be without the
others, everything that exists goes through these stages. When the gunas interact with one
another, the result is
the five elements:
Ether (space), Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Everything we see, touch,
think, and experience has some combination of these elements
within. Each element
carries specific attributes that make it unique. In life, none of the five
elements ever exists alone as each successive element is born from
the one before it.
Think of Ether as the vastness of the cosmos. This “space” is the home
for all objects in the universe, namely energy. When sattva, rajas, and tamas take a hold of this
universal energy in space, the result is air, the first state of
matter. When air
shifts through the three stages, it starts to move around, causing
friction. This action
produces heat and light and fire is born. As this pattern continues,
fire liquefies matter and a new cycle starts as water comes
forth. As the water
goes through its stage of destruction, it evaporates, and earth
solidifies from what is left behind. Then the process starts
over again, and it is happening all around us all the
time.
It Comes
Together... The Three Doshas
As was mentioned above, the five
elements are rarely independent of one or another. In fact, so often are they
found in certain combinations that these groupings have been given
names. Ayurveda calls
them the three doshas. Dosha literally means
impurity, as in two elements mixed together. These combinations are as
follows: Ether + Air = vata, Fire + Water = pitta, Water + Earth = kapha. In the more common sense,
dosha refers to a
quality in a person, place, or thing. These qualities come from
the attributes of the elements themselves. For example if a person
has a vata quality, they may be cold (space) and very mobile
(air.) The following
chart lists the attributes of the elements, and in turn, the doshas. A reminder to readers that
water is an element that appears in both pitta and kapha
dosha.
|
Ether |
Air |
Fire |
Water |
Earth |
|
Dry |
Rough |
Light |
Fluid |
Moist |
|
Light |
Mobile |
Sharp |
Flexible |
Dense |
|
Vast |
Cold |
Hot |
Soft |
Heavy |
|
Cold |
Dry |
Slightly
Oily |
Moist |
Oily |
|
Transparent |
Thin |
Penetrating |
Heavy |
Cold |
What's My Type: Prakruti Explained
The idea of attributes pertaining to elements may seem on
the surface to be a bit abstract. On closer examination
however, it makes complete sense. When applied to a person,
place, or thing, these attributes come to life. Everyone knows that wind
is mobile, cold, and drying. Therefore, it is easy to draw
the conclusion that wind is Vata. The same would apply to a
person who cannot sit still, is always cold, and has chronically
dry skin. Every
person on this planet has some amount of each element inside of
them, and therefore we all have some vata, pitta, and kapha. What makes a person unique
is the amount of each element they have. A person is never just
pitta, but may be predominantly pitta, with vata secondary and
kapha bringing up the tail end.
Vata
Ever
described someone as a "whirlwind"? More than likely, the
person being referred to is
predominantly vata. A
vata person usually has a light frame, is
often either very tall or very
short, and has black, dry, frizzy hair. Their skin
is dry, cold to the touch and is not
smooth. They are
prone to premature wrinkling, especially
since they are sun worshippers and tend to be the ones with the
darkest tan on the beach.
Their dark eyes and lips are dry and small. They have a meager
appetite along with an irregular diet and lifestyle. They are very creative and
often very spiritual.
They are quite accommodating to the needs of others and
very generous with their time, money, and anything else they can
offer. When they are
stressed out, fear and nervousness occur. When the Ether and
Air elements are out of balance the skin shows signs of
dehydration, flakiness, and wrinkles. In the body, one will
experience joint pain, chills, gas, constipation, and lower back
pain. The mind will
be restless with anxiety, worry, and lack of focus. Many different factors
disturb vata including stress, excess activity such as aerobics or
constant travel, improper diet, the season of autumn, and
especially an irregular routine.
Suggestions for a balanced
lifestyle:
1.
Meditate
2.
Warm water baths and steam
baths
3.
Low impact exercise and gentle yoga
asanas
(postures)
4.
Eat a vata pacifying diet including sweet,
sour, salty, and pungent foods. Limit bitter and astringent
foods.
5.
Sesame oil self massage
nightly
6.
Observe a regular routine every
day
Food Guidelines for a Vata
pacifying diet:
Fruit:
Sweet fruits including bananas, avocado, berries, kiwi,
mangos, peaches, and all citrus fruits are most
favorable.
Vegetables: Cooked vegetables such
as asparagus, beets, carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes are
best. Avoid raw
vegetables as in a salad.
Grains:
Rice, cooked oats, and wheat keep vata in balance. Avoid barley, corn, and
refined grains.
Legumes: In
general, beans aggravate vata because of their dry, gas provoking
quality. Limit intake
of all beans except mung beans.
Dairy:
Most dairies are acceptable, but avoid yogurt
Spices:
All spices are good!
Pitta
Everybody
knows someone who has a real fiery attitude. This description perfectly
fits a pitta predominant person. Pitta people have medium
builds and tend to be on the muscular side. They have red,
blond, or brown hair, and they are
usually the first ones to die their
hair red! They have
combination skin with sensitivities
to various allergens, and are most sensitive to the
sun. Their eyes are
lighter colors such as blue, green, and
hazel, and both their eyes and lips are of medium
proportion. Pitta has
a voracious appetite, and if left
without food can get grumpy rather quickly. They are the
intellectuals, always thinking things out, asking many questions,
and dishing out orders.
In stressful situations like high traffic, they get
frustrated easily, honking their horn and yelling at other
drivers. Pitta people
are competitive, ambitious, and relentless. When pitta is out
of balance, the skin will react with sensitivity, blotchy redness,
and dry patches. Acne
or eczema may also develop.
In the body, one will experience inflammation, excess heat,
high blood pressure, and insatiable hunger. The mind will be jealous,
angry, and frustrated.
A few of the things that cause fire and water elements to
get out of balance are stress, over working, excess mental
activity, improper diet, hot sunny weather, and the summer
season.
Suggestions for a balanced
lifestyle:
1.
Meditate
2.
Breathing exercises
3.
Gentle yoga asanas, walks in
nature
4.
Eat a Pitta pacifying diet including sweet,
bitter, salty, and astringent foods. Limit sour and pungent
foods.
5.
Nightly self massage with sunflower or coconut
oil
6.
Scalp massage with brahmi oil
Food Guidelines for a Pitta
pacifying diet:
Fruit:
Sweet fruits including avocado, berries, all melons, mangos,
pears, sweet apples, oranges, and pomegranate are best.
Vegetables: Sweet and bitter
vegetables such as asparagus, artichoke, broccoli, leafy greens,
celery, mushrooms, peas, and squash are acceptable. Avoid chilies, onions, and
mustard greens.
Grains:
Barley, couscous, white rice, and wheat are most
favorable. Avoid
millet, corn, quinoa, and rye.
Legumes: In
general, most beans are good.
Avoid fermented beans like tempeh, miso, and soy
sauce.
Dairy:
Most dairies are ok, except aged cheese, sour cream, and
yogurt
Spices:
Cooling spices such as fresh basil, coriander, cumin, fennel,
fresh ginger, mint, and saffron. Avoid mustard, pepper, and
salt.
Kapha
When a person
“has both feet on the ground” or is “down to earth,” their primary
dosha is probably kapha.
A kapha person has a thicker build and tends to put on
weight easily. They
have a curvy body and are often slightly taller than
average. Their hair
is dark, and thick with lustrous
waves. Their skin is
soft, oily, and cold to the touch. Their dark eyes are
large and bright and their teeth and
lips are prominent as well.
Kapha people have an average appetite, but tend to eat when
not hungry adding to their weight issues. They are usually very
jovial and easy going, and are very good with money. When the Water and
Earth elements are out of balance, it will manifest on the skin as
excessive oiliness, blackheads, and acne. In the body, one will
experience weight gain, congestion, and a dull sleepy
feeling. The mind
will have depression, greed, and attachment. Some of the causes of a
kapha imbalance consist of not enough activity or exercise,
improper diet, cold winter weather, and
seclusion.
Suggestions for a balanced
lifestyle:
1.
Lots of exercise
2.
Warm dry saunas and hot teas
3.
Social activities
4.
Eat a light Kapha pacifying diet including
bitter, sour, astringent, and pungent foods. Limit sweet and salty
foods.
5.
Daily dry brushing with a natural bristle bath
brush
Food Guidelines for a Kapha
pacifying diet:
Fruit:
Astringent fruit including apricot, cranberry, pear, apple,
raisin, and pomegranate are best.
Vegetables: All vegetables, except
cucumber, pumpkin, sweet potato, raw tomatoes, and zucchini are
good.
Grains:
Barley, corn, couscous, millet, and rye are acceptable. Avoid oats, rice, and
wheat.
Legumes: Most
beans are good, but avoid cold soy products and kidney
beans.
Dairy:
Dairy should be limited, but Kapha may use goat dairy
products and yogurt
Spices:
All spices are good, but avoid salt.
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