Welcome back to learning about Ayurveda, the Knowledge or Science of Life! In this second article we’ll discover more layers to the tendencies and fluctuations of each Dosha. Discover indicators of your unique nature and how we can help pacify Doshas when they fluctuate out of balance. Then we’ll serve up the six flavors, their recommended order of consumption and their effects on your personal constitution. Lastly, we’ll review a self-massage practice, called Abhyanga, to infuse more self-care into your routine, creating more balance for your state of being and encouraging health.
DOSHA TENDENCIES & FLUCTUATIONS
Doshas can be interpreted by fluctuations of functions, as those are noticeable before changes in structures. Dosha balance, well-being and health are disrupted by lifestyle.
VATA
Vata is the force of all movement, ether and air elements. Properties of dryness, lightness, coldness, roughness, restlessness, speed.
Vata Dosha dominance has a mind that is primarily sensitive and creative. Think of being able to understand and learn, but also being quick to forget. Or quick to anger, but quick to forgive. The Vata body is a slender lean build, active body functions and delicate structures.
If increased or upset, this Dosha imbalance shows a mental lack of concentration, sensitivity to noise and touch, sleeplessness, and easy exhaustion. Physical it may present an intolerance to cold, restlessness, muscular tension, constipation, craving sweet, salty and sour foods, stiffness or pain, and susceptible to illness.
PITTA
Pitta is the source of transformation and provides internal heat, fire and water elements. Properties of hotness, deeply piercing, slightly oily, lightness, fluidity, bad smelling.
A Pitta dominant Dosha has a primarily ambitious mind with sharp intelligence and a proneness to anger. Properties lead to a medium-size build with flexible joints, and strong body odor.
The Pitta body is athletically built with intense body functions and an active metabolism.
If increased or upset, this Dosha imbalance exhibits irritation or short temper, judgemental, competitiveness. Physically it may have strong intolerance to heat, burning sensations (eyes), red flush face, sensitivity to light, excessive hunger/thirst, loose or frequent bowels, increase in sweating, skin irritation, craving sweet & cold drinks/food, heartburn or sour burps.
KAPHA
Kapha gives the body substance, earth and water elements. Properties of strength, stability, immobility, coldness, heaviness, smoothness and jelly.
The Kapha Dosha dominant mind is primarily patient and deliberate. Takes a long time to decide, but the belief system will be very clear. Has cool headedness and good memory.
The Kapha body has a sturdy build with stiffness and slow-working body functions, such as slow metabolism with potential for muscle and fat build up.
If increased or upset, this Dosha imbalance lacks inner drive and mental clarity, showing a strong attachment to things. Physically one may experience excessively cold skin, loss of appetite, reduced senses, weight gain, heaviness/sluggishness, fatigue/lethargy, difficulty with activity, oily scalp and dandruff, more viscous secretions, sinus issues, and susceptibility to colds with productive coughs.
PACIFY YOUR DOSHAS
A deep connection to nature is a gateway to more vitality. Allow yourself to feel fully immersed, give gratitude for having your five senses and use them to help find balance for your personal constitution. Here are some ideas on how you can pacify your doshas and encourage more balance and well-being:
Vata:
Pitta:
Kapha:
We are what we absorb from digestion. A well-balanced Ayurveda diet includes all six tastes (sad rasas) which have a role in homeostasis. The easiest way to incorporate all of these flavors is through spices.
THE SIX TASTES
Ayurveda classifies food (Ahara) based on their structures, functions and their corresponding physiological actions. Beginning with the Kapha phase (elements of earth and water) consume sweet tastes as they need the most agni (digestive fire).
Moving into the Pitta phase (elements of water and fire) eat sour, salty and pungent foods which kindle agni.
Finally, the Vata phase (elements of air and ether) eating bitter and astringent foods last.
So next time you eat dessert first, be comforted knowing it’s the Ayurveda way!
As with all things in life, and as mentioned in our first article, moderation is key. Overindulging in anything can create an imbalance.
|
Sweet |
Sour |
Salty |
Pungent |
Bitter |
Astringent |
|
Pacifies Vata & Pitta Increases Kapha |
Pacifies Vata Increases Pitta & Kapha |
Pacifies Vata Increases Pitta & Kapha |
Pacifies Kapha Increases Vata & Pitta |
Pacifies Kapha Increases Vata & Pitta |
Pacifies Kapha Increases Vata & Pitta |
|
Cooling, heavy, oily |
Heating, light, liquid, oily |
Heating, heavy, oily |
Heating, light, dry |
Cooling, light, dry |
Cooling, heavy, dry |
https://www.saraswatiayurveda.com/blog/the-6-tastes
OIL MASSAGE: ABHYANGA
Self-care is an essential part of Ayurveda Healthcare! So, let's talk about a relaxing ritual for self-love, a self-massage, called Abhyanga. There are many promising health benefits, including balancing your Doshas (pacifies Vata and Pitta, stimulates Kapha), nourishing your Dhatus, building Ojas and enhancing graceful aging (such as improving skin texture and tone), especially when performed daily.
Without further ado, here’s the how-to:
Depending on your dominant Dosha, your oil selection and frequency suggestion varies for a pacifying experience. It is said to avoid oil massages if you have ama (undigested food), fever, acute infection or anemia. Abhyana is best performed in the morning or late afternoon for 15 to 20 minutes. Jojoba oil is a tridoshic oil as it is a balancing for all three doshas.
|
VATA |
PITTA |
KAPHA |
|
4-5x/week |
3-4x/week |
1-2x/week |
|
Warming oils: Sesame, olive, almond |
Cooling oils: Coconut, sunflower |
Stimulating oils: Mustard Seed, Safflower, Flaxseed or Dry Rub* |
*There are many dry rub recipes, an easy option is to use chickpea flour alone or with herbs. Dry rub also known as dusting powders should be avoided if you have skin irritations or rashes.
If you’re short on time, you can abbreviate to steps 1 and 2, as any oil massage is better than none.
After your self care massage is complete, wash off your oil. Those with a Vata Dosha and especially those with a Kapha Dosha may enjoy making a paste of the dry rub, like a chickpea flour, apply in the shower and rinse away with the oil.
REFLECTION AND PROJECTION
Whew, all this info can seem like a lot to take in, especially if it’s all new. Not to worry, as mentioned in our first Ayurveda article (which you can read HERE), new routines are best approached in small manageable steps, start with one idea and adapt to what feels good for you. Once it becomes a habit, new space will be felt and you can choose another to add into your routine.
The vastness of Ayurveda’s wellness management approach is deep and broad in the physical, mental and spiritual realms.
In our next Ayurveda article, the final of this 3 part series, we will review how the Doshas relate to our daily clock and begin to understand the subtle body.
Dosha Properties:
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2012/09/18/qualities-vata-pitta-kapha/
Flavors:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4815005/
https://www.saraswatiayurveda.com/blog/the-6-tastes
Self-Massage:
https://chopra.com/articles/the-benefits-of-ayurveda-self-massage-abhyanga
This blog was written by Meg Ramirez, please click here to learn more about the author.