An Introduction to Ayurveda


Ayurveda is a system of medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago. It’s main objective as a medical system is to bring the individual into balance of body, mind, and spirit. What is distinct and consistent about Ayurveda is that it maintains that every person is a unique individual with their own makeup of strengths and weaknesses likes and dislikes, aspirations and beliefs. Ayurvedic medicine differs from modern Allopathic medicine in that it does not treat diseases based on the research of statistics or commonalities. Instead, Ayurveda maintains that for every person, illness and disease will manifest differently, in ways that are particular to one’s body type, mental state, personal history, and belief systems. Thus, healing from disease and restoring health and balance will vary according to the individual.

Ayurveda has always believed that by paying attention to the intelligence and order of the Natural world, by observing the rhythms of nature and by attuning oneself to these balanced systems, one can achieve health and happiness. We can see harmony in our natural environment in the waxing and waning moon, the sun rising and setting, the seasons changing, the flowers blooming and wilting. In these ways, nature takes care of herself in ebb and flow. The tides of life wash in and out, and Ayurveda recognizes that every person fits into these particular rhythms in their own unique way.

Just as the Earth knows exactly how to rotate and the sun knows exactly how to create light and heat, so too our bodies and minds know exactly how to function and thrive when given the proper environment, foods, and activities. Ayurveda sees illness as a confusion of this innate intelligence of the body, and works to remove the cause of this confusion that has created the problem. In removing the causes of illness, we restore the conditions of health.

Copyright 2008 Candice May.


The Ayurvedic Consultation



Ayurveda believes that health can be achieved by practicing awareness in our daily food and lifestyle choices. First we must understand our Prakruti, which is our unique constitution and the ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha at play within us.

In a consultation, Candice assesses the client through interview, pulse, and tongue examination. We aim to identify imbalances and their root causes, and work together to develop a realistic self-healing program that will suit the client's individual needs and abilities.

Recommendations are provided that are simple, effective, and easily incorporated into the client's life. This may include dietary choices, lifestyle routines, medicinal herbs, yoga/meditation practices, and cleansing techniques. Ayurveda recognizes that all people are different and have unique tastes, preferences, and interests. Suggestions will be made that resonate with the client's personality and lifestyle.

The client will receive a written Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle plan, herbal recommendations, as well as educational resources and reference material.

Consultations can address many health care concerns, and can focus on all aspects of physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual healing. Ayurveda teaches that long lasting health will be experienced when we establish a natural balance of body, mind, and spirit.

Copyright 2008 Candice May

be who you are


"The most important medicine is living the life you truly want to live." ~Dr. Claudia Welch

The Three Doshas

One of the most fundamental concepts of Ayurveda is that of the Three Doshas. Understanding the nature of the Three Doshas is an essential part of discovering one’s unique makeup of physical, mental, and emotional tendencies. By understanding the functions of these life-maintaining elements at play within and around us, we can learn how to use these tendencies to our advantage.

A dosha is a force within us that strives to maintain health and bodily organization. The Three Doshas work together to support the many systems of the body and see that everything is flowing in its proper way, in the correct amount and in the right timing, according to the individual. A dosha will act as a buffer between the constantly changing external environment and our internal environment, so that our bodies and minds can remain relatively stable and functional as we move about the world. A dosha will be the first bodily process to get vitiated, should imbalance occur, in an attempt to protect the deeper tissues and organs. This is why we usually feel a subtle feeling of “not feeling right” before we get sick. Our doshas are asking us to pay attention.

The Three Doshas express themselves as Vata (wind), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water). Each dosha has specific and vital roles to maintain within us, and we need a healthy balance of each one in order to be healthy.

Vata, made of the elements Air and Ether, is responsible for all kinetic energy, and controls all bodily movements. Vata maintains everything that can move in the body, including the entire nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems.



Pitta, containing the elements Fire and Water, is responsible for all transformational processes. The functions of transforming food into energy, thought into understanding, and desire into action are all controlled by Pitta.



Kapha, composed of the elements Water and Earth, is responsible for stability and lubrication. The strength of our muscles, the stability of our bones, the regularity of our systems, and the softness of our hearts and minds are all nurtured by Kapha.


Every individual has a unique ratio of these Three Doshas, called Prakruti. Understanding one’s Prakruti, or constitution, is the fundamental first step to achieving health. One’s personal constitution was established at conception and cannot be changed. It is the way one’s entire being expresses itself, through preference in taste and activity; mental and emotional strengths and challenges; habits, and proneness to certain disease and illness.


We can see the doshas expressing themselves when we look at the millions of ways that people can vary from one another, as well as share similarities. Why is it that some people can eat almost anything without any digestive troubles (pitta), and someone else will be sensitive to the foods they eat (vata)? Why can one person work out and eat right and still remain overweight (kapha), while another person can eat seven meals a day and remain stick thin (vata)? Why does someone have a good memory (kapha) and another person has a poor one (vata)? Why, in children who share the same birth parents, can there be tremendous differences in physical, mental, and emotional tendencies? Why is one person hyper-active, another is driven, and another, lazy?

The answer lies in the doshas, and the individual's Prakruti.

We can also see the same phenomenon in nature. While one flower needs a moist and stable environment, another flower can thrive in dry and barren place. One bird prefers the frigid temperatures of Arctic, another lives in the sweltering heat of the jungle. There are countless examples of doshas expressing themselves both in humans and the rest of the natural world.

Copyright 2008 Candice May.





Vata, Pitta, Kapha

According to Ayurvedic medicine, Mother Nature is the true healer of all ailments. Once we understand our Prakruti, our unique constitution, it is quite simple to relax into a diet and lifestyle that will support us naturally. It is believed that everything we ingest will have either a balancing, neutral, or upsetting affect on us. This includes all foods, drinks, sounds, smells, tastes, visions, and thoughts. Everything leaves an impression upon us in some way, and depending on one’s constitution, each of us will react to our environments and experiences in very different ways. Truly, one man’s medicine is another’s poison.

Once we know our general makeup according to Ayurvedic medicine, we can begin to learn which impressions and substances we take in will leave which kind of effects upon us. Knowing whether we are primarily Vata, Pitta, Kapha, or a combination of two or three, is very important if we are truly aiming to restore balance and achieve perfect health.

Vata
Vata people are highly changeable. They adore movement and travel, and change their minds and locations easily. They are usually of thin build, with thin hair and skin, and have prominent joints and uneven features. They have a tendency to become anxious, fearful, and confused when under pressure. They can be at the same time very introverted and extroverted, and tend to exert so much physical and mental energy that they can find themselves exhausted at the end of the day. They may suffer from insomnia, constipation, dry skin, anxiety, addictions, and arthritis.
Vata people should seek to balance their constitution by applying the opposite qualities that are of their general makeup. They should eat warm, mushy, soft foods, never drink cold beverages, include mostly sweet, sour and salty tastes into their diet, and always sit down to eat and at regular times. They should try not to snack or eat on the run, but to actually prepare a quality meal and enjoy it, at least once a day. People who are primarily Vata will benefit from establishing some kind of regular routine into their daily lives. This doesn’t have to be rigid or strict, as Vata’s usually abhor any kind of routine (even the word!), but something that is self nurturing and pleasant. For example, a Vata person might discipline themselves to go for a brisk walk in the morning (because Vata loves movement), and then grounding themselves by applying warm sesame oil all over their body and having a soak in a hot bath before they start their day. This simple routine could do a wonder of good to bring and keep Vata dosha into balance with Nature.
Vata dosha people should especially try to keep all sensory impressions of a calm and pleasing nature. Anything fearful, upsetting, or violent should be avoided. They should surround themselves with sweet smells, soft lighting, warm clothing, calm music and peaceful colours and pictures. Because Vata often suffers from fear and confusion, it is important not to enhance this quality, but to balance it out with opposite qualities. If stressed, a Vata person would be wise to practice shavasana, alternate nostril breathing, forward bends, and other restorative yoga poses.
In general, Vata people must be sweet and kind to themselves. They must allow extra time for doing nothing! They must learn to slow down and get enough sleep, nurture themselves and enjoy life’s little moments. They must keep their creative passions flowing and healthy, but not to the extent that they ignore their body’s needs for rest and rejuvenation. Of all qualities to apply to Vata dosha, that of warm, soft, oily, stable, slow, and heavy will be the most influential.

Pitta
People of Pitta dosha are characterized by their intensity. They adore all physical and mental challenges, and usually seize any opportunity to compete or express their highly developed intellect. They are usually of firm and fair build, with good muscle development and tone, sharp features, and are often graceful and controlled in their movements. They may tend towards light, pale, or reddish skin tone, often with light hair and eyes, sometimes with streaks of red or freckles on their face. They can often become irritated, angry, judgmental and critical, although inside they are highly sensitive beings with fragile emotions and a lot of self-doubt. They tend towards ailments such as inflammation, rashes, acidity, fever, stress, anger/rage, and burnout. They have strong appetites and feel best when they are digesting something, whether food or information. Pitta people are highly functional and organized, and value the intellect and challenging opportunities more than anything else. They are highly driven, focused, passionate, and seek success, recognition or fame in their careers.
Pitta people need to seek balance in all things that antidote their intense and serious nature. They will find support in foods that are cooling and sweet, such as green vegetables and spices such as cumin, parsley, coriander, and cilantro. The Pitta gut can usually digest just about food, however they should still be conscious to avoid tastes that are overly sour, pungent (spicy) and salty. The bitter taste is especially helpful to calm inflammations and itchiness (physical and emotionally based). A Pitta appetite will do well to avoid overeating and eating after dark. Usually Pitta people will become hungry around 10pm, and often find themselves enjoying a midnight meal as they continue working on whatever project or occupation currently has them under wraps. However, it is best for Pitta people to try and be in bed by 10pm, to ensure a good night’s rest and rejuvenation for their constantly active minds and bodies.
Pitta people will find balance by incorporating all sensory impressions that are soothing, mellow, relaxed, and patient. They will benefit from visiting a source of Nature that is green, watery, calming, and peaceful as often as they can. While a Pitta soul would rather race up the mountain wearing their heart rate monitor and weights around their ankles for added challenge, it would be wise for them to balance their fire by (once in awhile!) walking slowly up the mountain, pausing to feel the breath and the coolness of the air, and listen to the sounds of Nature and not only the slew of plans and ideas marching in their minds.
A Pitta person would be wise to make friends with people who are calming and gentle. Because Pitta delights in all arguments, debates, and intellectual conflicts, it is a good idea for them to balance out this tendency by visiting people who have a quieter and more passive disposition. A Pitta person can learn from these people how to share and be more accepting of others’ opinions. He or she may find calm and inspiration from spending time with elderly people, babies, and soft, fuzzy animals! In times of stress, a Pitta person would find support in a slow walk by the ocean or a lake, a holistic hatha yoga routine, long deep breaths, and quieting the mind with meditation, singing, dancing, or laughing.
In general, Pitta people must learn patience and gratitude. They must remember that all of life is not a competition or something to “get done” on one of their many lists of projects. They must find sources of cooling and calming activities, and take the time their bodies and minds need to rest and digest.

Kapha
People of Kapha dosha are known for their stability. They are usually the calmest and most gentle people, who have a love for life’s luxuries. They enjoy sleeping, eating, and being relaxed. They prefer not to move too quickly, and can often be prone to laziness and stagnation. A Kapha person delights in sensual pleasures and nurturing, and they make wonderful parents, healers, and homemakers. They usually have a larger body frame, beautiful skin, a strong immune system, as well as flawless memories and a general attitude of harmony and compassion. They can be prone to ailments such as overweight/obesity, congestion, allergies, and seasonal colds/flu. Kapha people tend to be very emotional and may suffer from depression. They can find themselves stuck in habitual patterns and thought processes, and require change and stimulation to help them grow and evolve. They often find it extremely difficult to initiate change, though once they begin they are the most likely to follow through. They should avoid overly sweet, sour and salty tastes, and indulge in foods that are stimulating and awakening to their systems. This would include the bitter, astringent, and pungent spices, such as raw vegetables, spicy, light soups, and spices such as ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and bay leaf. Kapha people should especially avoid overeating and eating for emotional reasons. Fasting or light meals will help to keep their digestive fires strong and break the routine of habitually eating for pleasure.
Kapha people must find activities that balance their tendency towards stagnation and routine. They should try and vary their days so that they experience a variety of situations and experiences. They do best with regular, vigorous exercise, such as aerobics, jogging, biking, or flow/power yoga routines. They should make sure to try new things that push them beyond their comfort levels, and challenge themselves to adventures they wouldn’t normally do. A Kapha person would benefit from making friends with a Pitta person, who naturally indulges in excitement and stimulation, as well as a Vata person, who would inspire them to change and break their established routines. Emotionally, Kapha people are usually very kind and docile, and are sometimes quite shy. Making a point to be socially active will benefit Kapha, and taking on an activity such as social dancing, group exercising, or competitive sports would benefit both their body and soul.
In general, Kapha dosha finds balance and better health when adopting a more “get up and go” attitude. They must seek out change and stimulation, and move their bodies everyday in order to avoid congestion and lethargy.

Copyright 2008 Candice May.


To learn more about your Prakruti and ways to find balance in body, mind, and spirit, contact Candice May at Soaring Spirit Ayurveda.

Specific Health Care Issues

Ayurveda can help bring balance to many health care concerns, both as preventative medicine and treatment of illness. Ayurveda is unique in that it does not separate one's body, mind, and spirit from the entire person. Unlike conventional medicine, Ayurveda believes that how one thinks, eats, lives, and responds to stress are all connected, and give the complete picture of one's state of health.

Ayurveda can address:

Respiratory Issues:
rapid respiration, shallow breathing, breathlessness, wheezing, chest pain, tightness in the chest, sore throat, sinus and bronchial congestion, cold, congestion, cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, hay fever, allergies, sinus infection.

Digestive Issues:
loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, bloating, burping, hypoglycemia, stomach ache, heartburn, acid indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, gingivitis, colitis, liver problems, gallstones, excessive appetite.

Urinary/Kidney Issues:
excessive urination, water retention, burning urine, kidney stones, lower back pain, dehydration, edema, swelling, incontinence.

Muscle/Joint Issues:
muscle pain/stiffness, muscle tremors/tics, emaciation, muscle wasting, loss of power, fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendonitis, back pain, arthritis.

Skin Problems:
acne, boils, bruises, dryness, itching, rashes, eczema, urticaria, dermatitis, edema, oily skin.

Women & Children's Health:
pregnancy, post-partum, PMS, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, irregular cycles, painful periods, breastfeeding, post-partum depression, tender breasts, water retention, menopause, children's illnesses.

Mental/Emotional Issues:
fear, worry, stress, anxiety, depression, anger, irritability, confusion, poor memory, sadness, racing mind, addictions. .

General Issues:
insomnia, lack of energy, feeling "not right", lethargy, hyper-active, ADHD, malaise, laziness, stagnation, lack of inspiration.

Spiritual Issues:
Ayurveda draws its roots from India, and has been in use all over the world for over 5,000 years. It combines a large variety of spiritual practices to help unite one with their true self, if desired. This includes practices in meditation, yoga, breath work, sound, mantra, and attuning oneself to Nature, the oldest healer of all.