The word, Ayurveda, is from the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit, and literally means “Knowledge of Life”.
The Ayurvedic approach to life involves listening to and addressing the unique needs of your body, recognizing and balancing your mental and emotional states, and deepening your connection with your spirit, your essential self. Food is medicine according to Ayurveda and our body is the foundation of our health that enables us to achieve our goals in life.
The principle that eating a diet with fresh, organic, local and seasonal food will normalize and alkalize your body. This, in turn, connects the mind with the body as we are eating intelligent food.
In Ayurveda, the idea is that you eat according to your ‘dosha’ type (physiological or body types); vata, pitta and kapha. Everything around us are made up with different elements, the couch you are sitting on, the plants in your garden and YOU!
Vata is composed of the elements of air and ether
Pitta is composed of the elements of fire and water
Kapha is composed of the elements of water and earth
We all have the elements in us in varying proportions and manifest in different expressions in body and mind. Vata types are generally thin and find it hard to gain weight. Vatas need to get sufficient rest and not overdo things, as they can tire easily. Pitta types are generally medium sized and well proportioned. They also tend to be intelligent, with a sharp wit. Kapha types tend to have sturdy, heavy frames. They are prone to gain weight easily. They often tend to have a positive outlook on life.
So, what does this mean, and how does it apply to you?
In Ayurveda, it is believed that each person is governed by one or two dominant dosha or all three and you should eat according to that dosha type.
Vata
Balances: Sweet fruits, apricots, avocado, bananas, berries, grapes, melons, asparagus, beets, cucumber, garlic, radishes, zucchini. Aggravates: Dried fruits, apples, cranberries, pears, watermelons, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and raw onions.
Pitta
Balances: Sweet fruits, avocado, coconut, figs, mango, prunes, sweet and bitter vegetables, cabbage, cucumber, okra, and potatoes.
Aggravates: Sour fruits, berries, bananas, plums, oranges, lemon, pungent vegetables, garlic, and onions.
Kapha
Balances: Apples, apricots, berries, cherries, cranberries, mangos, peaches, pungent and bitter vegetables, broccoli, celery, garlic, onion.
Aggravates: Sweet and sour fruits, bananas, coconut, melons, papaya, sweet and juicy vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes.
There are some eating guidelines to follow in Ayurveda:
Eat mainly seasonal, organically and local fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains
Eat according to your constitution, or dosha
Establish a regular eating routine
Eliminate or limit caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic beverages from your life
Drink herbal tea, fruit and vegetable juices
If you want to learn more about Ayurveda to improve your own biorhythms and overall health, watch out for upcoming offerings at the studio.
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