Ayurveda (meaning 'knowledge of life') was developed in
India over 6000 years ago and is one of the most ancient systems of
preventative healthcare.
It was the first system of medicine to recognize the
concept of individual mind/body types. It holds that everyone is born
with a unique physiological balance which influences all aspects of
life, including body structure, emotional makeup, and predisposition to
illnesses.
3 biological principles, known as 'doshas' are
considered by Ayurvedic practitioners in determining a person's
physiologial type.
The 3 doshas are described as follows:
VATA
Vata dominated people tend to
be slim, small boned and talk, move and think quickly and creatively.
They are quick to remember things and also quick to forget. They think
many things at one time and have a very lively imagination. When out of
balance, they suffer with cold intolerance, dryness of the skin and
joints, fatigue, insomnia as they tend to have lots of thoughts, excess
worry and anxiety and weight loss.
PITTA
Pitta dominated people tend
to be very action orientated and focused on what they do. They tend to
be bold and courageous and have the ability to express themselves well.
They like to be the leader and to organise those around them. When out
of balance, they suffer with inflammatory problems including digestive
problems and skin redness. They can become demanding and
perfectionistic as well as fiery and impatient.
KAPHA
Kapha dominated people are
bigger and heavier and tend to be slower by nature. They are tolerent,
calm, forgiving and loyal. They tend to be sweet natured. When out of
balance, they can have problems with excess phlegm manifesting as chest
and sinus congestion. They easily put on weight, can become lazy and
tend to want to oversleep. They can also suffer with depressed moods.
All three doshas work together and a person's
physiological type is determined by the natural predominance of one or
more of these three doshas in the body.
Without understanding one's physiological make-up you
may unknowingly create imbalances by following a lifestyle that strains
your mind/body system and causes illness. An Ayurvedic doctor helps you
to recognize lifestyle and dietary factors that do not suit your
natural balance and which may adversely affect your health.
Ayurveda enlivens the inner intelligence of the body
and strengthens its natural healing ability. According to Ayurveda,
disease is primarily the result of imbalances and impurities that
accumulate in the body over time. The specialty of Ayurveda is in
diagnosing imbalances at an early stage, before symptoms of disease
arise, eliminating those imbalances from the body, and teaching each
person how to live a healthy, balanced life.
When a Desana Ayurvedic doctor correctly identifies and
describes your unique body type and imbalance, you instinctively feel
it makes sense, feels right and you recognise diet and behaviours that
have been adversely affecting your constitution and sense of well
being. This knowledge is invaluable in taking the right steps towards a
happier and healthier lifestyle.
Specifically formulated products such as teas, spices,
massage oils, aroma oils, soaps, shampoos and creams can also be
prescribed according to your dosha type.
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