Did you know that 90% of diets fail? Usually because they focus mainly on just the diet part, more often than not suggesting a 'one-size fits all' solution and brushing over the root cause of our eating habits. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ever tried something that I couldn't stick with despite the best intentions and willpower, because it simply 'wasn't me'.
Despite a generally healthy lifestyle (except for the occasional crisp indulgence, ready salted of course...), a few years ago I started to notice Iittle niggles like inflammed joints, always cold unless I'm in a nice tepid 50C desert climate, tonsillitis more times than I can count, a restless mind that's easily distracted - oh look there's a bumblebee...! Most of this was difficult for me and my overactive mind to understand and there wasn't any obvious explanation to any of them, but then I stumbled across Ayurveda and things started to make sense - when I stopped looking at the indivifual pieces I could see the bigger picture.
Ayurveda (sometimes called the Science of Life) is an ancient holistic medicine tradition from India that emphasizes the balance and harmony in mind, body and spirit, and this way of thinking immediately resonated with me. I was already eating very similar food to an ayurvedic 'diet' but what really got me hooked was how Ayurveda recognizes that each individual is unique, with their own set of physical, mental, and emotional characteristics - a constitution (dosha) we're actually born with. but that can temporarily become unbalanced because of diet, stress and lifestyle.
Through diet, lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, and selfcare therapies like massage, Ayurveda aims to harmonize our constitution and restore equilibrium. Rather than waiting for symptoms to manifest, these Ayurvedic practices, emphasize proactive measures to maintain health and prevent disease. By adopting personalized daily routines that change with the seasons, we can strengthen our immune system, improve digestion, and enhance overall vitality.
These personalized routines are re-inforced through dosha specific styles of meditation, breathwork, mindfulness and yoga. These are all essential elements of Ayurveda which is why it's often called the sister science to Yoga. By nurturing the mind-body connection in a dosha-specific way Ayurveda fosters a sense of wholeness and balance that extends beyond mere physical health.
Ayurveda recognizes three primary doshas; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each of which reflects a combination of the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) present in the universe and within us. While everyone possesses all three doshas, each individual typically has one or two dominant doshas that influence our constitution, overall health, mood and tendencies.
Understanding our Ayurvedic dosha type can be super helpful in modern living for several reasons:
Dietary choices - Each dosha has specific dietary recommendations to support balance and digestion. For instance, Kapha types may thrive on lighter, more sour foods to stimulate their metabolism, while Pitta types may benefit from cooling and hydrating foods to pacify excess heat or a fiery temper.
Stress management - By understanding your dosha type, you can identify your unique stress triggers and develop effective strategies for managing stress. For example, Vata types may find stillness in grounding activities like yoga and meditation, while Pitta types may benefit from activities that promote relaxation and cooling, such as swimming or spending time in nature.
Improved relationships - Recognizing the dosha types of those around you can enhance your interpersonal relationships by fostering empathy and understanding. By understanding the predominant doshas of your friends, family, and colleagues, you can adapt your communication style and interactions to better meet their needs and preferences.
Incorporating Ayurvedic principles into our modern living doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming. It can be as simple as replacing your morning coffee with some hot lemon water, or adding more of a dosha particular spice or herb to your usual cooking. By identifying and embracing our unique dosha type, we can unlock valuable insights into our physical, mental, and emotional tendencies and current (often out of balance) state, empowering us to make informed choices that align with our true nature, that support well-being and vitality in every aspect of our lives.
Why not start by taking a dosha quiz, who knows where it will lead you...? For me being more attuned and aware of certain predispositions, I now know how to beat my ready salted, crinkle cut crisp craving, to more succesfully slow down my sometimes hyper active mind before it hits the stratosphere, and I no longer have my GP on speed dial because of my mortal enemy - tonsilitis. Care to guess my dosha type...?!
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