Ayurveda (Sanskrit for "knowledge of life" or "knowledge of longevity") is a comprehensive ,holistic, traditional health cares system of India.

There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique:

The most fundamental and characteristic principle of Ayurveda is called "Tridosha" Or the Three Humors.

All matter is thought to he composed of five basic elements ( panchamahabhutas ) which exhibit the properties of earth (prithvi), water (jala), fire (tejas), wind (vayu) and space (akasha).

The structural aspect of our body is made up of five elements, but the functional aspect of the body is governed by three biological humors. Ether and air together constitute VATA; fire and water,PITTA; and water and earth, KAPHA.
They govern psycho-biological changes in the body and physio-pathological changes too. Vata-pitta-kapha are present in every cell, tissue and organ. In every person they differ in permutations and combinations.

The sperm is the male seed, and the ovum is the female egg. They also contain vata-pitta-kapha (VPK). Bodily vata-pitta-kapha changes according to diet, life style and emotions. The father's lifestyle, diet, influences the sperm and emotions, and the ovum by the mother's. At the time of fertilization, when a single sperm enters a single ovum, individual constitution is determined.

Every individual has a unique combination of these three doshas. To understand individuality is the foundation of healing according to Ayurveda, "The Science of Life".

Doshas are to be seen as all pervasive, subtle entities, Vata regulates movement and is represented by the nervous system. Pitta is the principle of biotransformation and is the cause of all metabolic processes in the body. Kapha is the principle of cohesion and functions through the body fluids. In every person these three doshas differ in permutations and combinations and thereby determine the physiologic constitution(Prakriti) of an individual.Vata, pitta and kapha are distinctly present in every individual and express in each human being differently according to predominance of their different qualities (gunas).

VATA -- The Air or Nerve System Humor
vata is dry, light, cold, mobile, active, clear, astringent, and it is dispersing.Vata season is autumn, time of day is afternoon and early morning.

Vata Personality--
vata is dry, light, cold, mobile, active, clear, astringent, and it is dispersing. All of these qualities can manifest in an individual. For example, if a person has excess vata in his or her constitution, because of the dry quality, he or she will have dry hair, dry skin, dry colon and a tendency towards constipation. Because of the light quality, which is opposite of heavy, the vata person will have a light body frame, light muscles, and light fat, and so will be thin and underweight, or "skinny-minny". Because of the cold quality, the vata person will have cold hands, cold feet and poor circulation. They hate the cold season and love summer. Because of the mobile quality, vata people are very active. They like jogging and jumping and don't like sitting in one place. Vata is subtle, and this subtle quality is responsible for the emotions of fear, anxiety, insecurity and nervousness. Vata is clear, therefore vata people can be clairvoyant; they have clear understanding and perception. They understand things immediately, but forget things immediately. Vata is astringent, which is a drying and choking quality of taste, therefore the vata person, while eating feels a drying choking sensation in the throat.

Types of Vata

Prana Vata - Governs the senses, creative thinking, reasoning, enthusiasm, leader of all 15 categories of Vata, Pitta and Kapha

Udana Vata - Governs quality of voice, memory, movements of thought

Samana Vata - Governs movement of food through digestive tract

Apana Vata - Elimination of wastes, sexual function, menstrual cycle

Vyana Vata - Governs blood flow, heart rhythm, perspiration, sense of touch

Symptoms of Vata Imbalance

Prana Vata - Worries, overactive mind, sleep problems, difficulty breathing

Udana Vata - Dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, general fatigue

Samana Vata - Slow or rapid digestion, gas, intestinal cramps, poor assimilation, weak tissues

Apana Vata - Intestinal cramps, menstrual problems, lower back pain, irregularity, diarrhea, constipation, gas

Vyana Vata - Dry or rough skin, nervousness, shakiness, poor blood flow, stress-related problems

Tips to Balance Vata

• Abhyanga (daily ayurvedic massage with sesame oil)
• Warm temperatures. Stay warm in cold, windy weather
• Warm, cooked foods (less raw foods)
• Early bedtime, lots of rest and sleep
• Favor warm, oily, heavy, sweet, sour, and salty tastes
• Reduce light, dry, cold, pungent, bitter and astringent foods
• Avoid raw foods, juices, fasting
• Avoid stimulants
• Refrain from excessive aerobic activity

This is a short description and if you want to learn more you can visit my website -http://www.ayurveda-foryou.com and get more information.

PITTA - The Fire Humour
Pitta has hot, sharp, light, liquid, sour, oily and spreading qualities. Pitta has a strong smell, like a fleshy smell, and has a sour or bitter taste.

Pitta Personality
If an individual has excess pitta in the body,because of it's hot quality, the person has a strong appetite and warm skin. The body temperature is a little higher than the vata person. If hungry, he has to eat otherwise he will become irritable and hypoglycemic.
The second quality of pitta is sharp, therefore the pitta person has a sharp nose, teeth, eyes, mind and while talking uses sharp words. They also have very sharp memory. Because of the oily quality, they have soft warm oily skin, straight oily hair, and the feces are oily and liquid. Because of the hot, sharp, and oily qualities, pitta people have a tendency to grey prematurely, a sign of early maturity. Pitta girls get earlier menstruation and reach puberty earlier.

Pitta people are moderate in body frame, and they do not like bright light. They like to read before they go to bed, and sometimes the pitta person sleeps with a book on the chest. Because of too much heat in the body, pitta person can get a receding hair line, or a big, beautiful, bald head.
The next quality of pitta is strong smell. When the pitta person perspires, under the arm pit there is a typical sulphur smell, and if he doesn't wash his socks, they will have a strong smell. That's why a pitta person loves perfumes. Pitta people are lovers of knowledge and have a great capacity of organization and leadership. They are often wise, brilliant people, but can have a controlling, dominating personality. Pitta people have a tendency towards comparison, competition, ambition, and they have a quality of aggressiveness, so naturally they criticize. They are perfectionists.

Types of Pitta

Alochaka Pitta - Governs functioning of the eyes

Bhrajaka Pitta Responsible for healthy glow of the skin Sadhaka Pitta - Controls desire, drive, decisiveness, spirituality

Pachaka Pitta - Responsible for digestion, assimilation, metabolism for healthy nutrients and tissues

Ranjaka Pitta - Responsible for healthy, toxin-free blood

Symptoms of Pitta Imbalance

Alochaka Pitta - Blood shot eyes, poor vision

Bhrajaka Pitta - Skin rashes, acne

Sadhaka Pitta - More demanding, workaholic

Pachaka Pitta - Hyperacidity

Ranjaka Pitta - Early graying of hair, anger, toxins in blood

Tips to Balance Pitta -

• Avoid sesame and mustard oils, fish, buttermilk, whey, mutton, fasting, acidic fruits, alcohol, meat and fatty, oily foods.
• Keep cool. Avoid hot temperatures and food
• Favor cool, heavy, dry, sweet, bitter and astringent foods
• Reduce pungent, sour, salty, warm, oily and light foods
• Moderation in work , don't overwork Allow for leisure time
• Regular mealtimes, especially at noon

This is a short description and if you want to learn more you can visit my website -http://www.ayurveda-foryou.com and get more information.

KAPHA -The Water Humour
Heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, dense, thick, static and cloudy - These are the important qualities of kapha, and kapha is sweet and salty.

Kapha Personality-
Because of the heavy quality, kapha people have heavy bones, muscles and fat. They will have a tendency to put on weight. A kapha person may even do a water fast and will put on weight. Kapha is slow, therefore a kapha person has slow metabolism and digestion. The kapha person can work without food, while it is very difficult for a pitta person to concentrate without food. Kapha is cool hence kapha people have cool, clammy skin. The skin is cool, but within the G.I. tract the digestive fire is high therefore they have a strong appetite.
Kapha people have other qualities, thick wavy hair, and big, attractive eyes. They have slow but prolonged, steady memory. Kapha people are forgiving, loving and compassionate. Because of the slow quality, kapha people walk slowly and talk slowly. They don't like jogging and jumping. They love eating, sitting and doing nothing.

Types of Kapha

Tarpaka Kapha - Responsible for moisture for nose, mouth, eyes and brain

Bhodaka Kapha - Governs Sense of taste, which is essential for good digestion

Kledaka Kapha - Governs moisture of the stomach lining for good digestion

Avalambaka Kapha - Protects the heart, strong muscles, healthy lungs

Sleshaka Kapha - Lubricates the joints,Keeps skin soft and supple.

Symptoms of Kapha Imbalance
Tarpaka Kapha- Sinus congestion, poor sense of smell

Bhodaka Kapha - Poor sense of taste, food cravings due to lack of fulfillment

Kledaka Kapha - Impaired digestion, poor absorption

Avalambaka Kapha - Lethargy, respiratory problems, lower back pain

Sleshaka Kapha - Weight gain, oily skin, loose or painful joints

Tips to Balance Kapha

• Vigorous regular exercise, a little each day
• Warm temperatures ,Stay warm in cold, damp weather
• Fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes
• Favor pungent, bitter, astringent, light, dry and warm foods
• Reduce heavy, oily, cold, sweet, sour and salty foods
• Early to bed, early to rise

Now that you have understood about the Fundamental principle of Ayurveda "Tridosha" and about Dosha predominance in prakriti, you can understand the Diagnosis and Treatment part of Ayurveda better.

Suppose you have a Kapha (water) dominant constitution then you may have a tendency to overweight, over-emotional nature or suffer congestion in the chest. So you should modify your diet, life style, daily routine and other activities accordingly, for example, avoid sleeping too much in the day or eating too many sweets, to maintain your health and also to cure the diseases .

I hope that you will continue to explore Ayurveda to enhance your health and to gain further insights into this miracle we call life.

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I also want you to know that I am available to answer any questions you may have about this course or about Ayurveda in general.

Contact me via the link below and I will offer you all the help I can.
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