Ancient Ayurveda

Have you heard of Ayurveda? Between 3,000 and 5,000 years old, it is definitely not new to the world; however, it is relatively new in the Western hemisphere. Considered to be one of the first healing sciences, the Ayurvedic holistic approach is designed to help people live healthy, long lives by maintaining balance in the body and mind through proper drinking, diet, and lifestyle, as well as herbal remedies.

Planet BioScan’s quantum energy work sessions include the energetic frequencies of Ayurvedic herbal supplements to help balance the three doshas and can help you identify the links to some of the impacts of imbalanced doshas, such as insomnia or nutritional stresses.

* * * *

One aspect of Ayurveda describes the dosha life forces - three different energy types that direct our bodies. While all three forces are present in every person, usually 1 or 2 doshas are more dominant. While we know it takes many years of experience and in-depth training for a practitioner to correctly identify the Dosha type, research shows there are some general characteristics associated with each type.

Read on for more information about Kapha, Pitta, and Vata doshas.

More About Kapha

If you consider yourself steady, loving and nurturing, your dominant dosha is Kapha. Kaphas are prone to stiffness, sluggishness, weight gain and metabolic disorders. When in balance, Kaphas dislike rocking the boat; they are the peacemakers and the lovers. When Kapha dosha is out of balance, the negative emotions you may experience include greed and jealousy. If your Kapha energy needs balancing, you may be feeling lethargic or unmotivated. You may be gaining weight even though you don’t seem to be overeating.

Kapha Diet

An ideal diet includes lots of veggies, fish, and complex carbohydrates, much like the foods typically eaten by the Japanese. Strong spices can wake up the Kapha energy, spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and cloves. Avoid eating your largest meal in the late evening. Try eating your main meal at lunchtime instead.

Kapha Fitness

Brisk exercise that keeps you really moving is excellent for a Kapha. Try something like dance classes or aerobic classes where you will be energized by the group dynamics. Offset your lethargy with consistent exercise every day.

* * * *

More About Pitta Dosha

Pitta dosha directs ambitious, passionate and intense people. When in balance, Pitta dosha drives us to be goal oriented and feel self-confident. Prone to inflammation (such as arthritis or allergies), digestive disorders and strong menopause symptoms, they also tend to become irritated or very angry when overstressed. While meditation is important for all types, Pittas especially benefit from a daily practice. When Pitta is unbalanced, you will find yourself overly critical and irritated. You might experience heartburn or acid reflux. You feel hot all the time, even when others around you are cool or even cold.

Pitta Diet

To balance Pitta dosha, avoid hot and spicy foods. Stick with fruits and vegetables, basmati rice and protein sources such as turkey, shrimp, and eggs. Other Pitta cooling foods include milk, smoothies, coconut juice and cottage cheese. The ideal time for you to eat your main meal is during the Pitta time of the day, between 10 am and 2 pm. It’s very important that Pittas do not skip meals.

Pitta Exercise

Pittas must try to stay cool when exercising. If you exercise outdoors, certainly avoid the hottest part of the day. Water aerobics or swimming are ideal activities for Pittas because you won’t overheat. Pittas also do well with any solitary exercise such as swimming, walking, and yoga. Avoid hot yoga (Bikram); Pittas are already warm enough.

* * * *

More About Vata Dosha

Would you describe yourself as creative, playful, energized and with a supple body? Then the Vata dosha may be your governing force. Vatas enjoy change and your friends probably describe you as fun to be around or full of lightness of spirit. Your Vata dosha needs balancing if you find yourself feeling anxious or fearful when stressed, if you are having difficulty getting to sleep or having restless sleep, if your throat or lips are extremely dry, or if you are experiencing forgetfulness.

Vata Diet

Balance your Vata dosha with vegetables such as carrots, asparagus, tender leafy greens, beets, sweet potatoes and summer squash. A raw diet is not ideal for Vata balancing; cooked foods will be more beneficial. Other choices for balancing Vata dosha include basmati rice, milk, nuts and wheat. Drink your water warm rather than cold. It’s important for Vatas to relax during their meals and focus on the food and the act of eating.

Vata Exercise

Weight lifting is idea for Vata dosha. Some gyms have weight circuits, where machines arranged conveniently for you target each group of muscles. Do your weight-bearing exercises twice a week and go for walks on your alternate days.

* * * *

Ayurvedic Spices enhance digestion. They have either cooling or warming properties and are associated with specific tastes. If a dosha needs some calming (or strengthening), consider adding one or more spices to a meal.

Here are just several Ayurvedic spice examples:

• Cumin is a warming spice with pungent taste. Increases Pitta and reduces Vata and Kapha.
  
  
• Coriander is a cooling spice with an astringent taste. Increases Vata and Kapha and reduces Pitta.
  
  
• Turmeric is considered a warming spice with bitter, pungent and astringent tastes. Increases Vata and Pitta and reduces Kapha