Introduction to Ayurveda : The Three Doshas.
Balance your health by understanding your basic constitution.
Ayurveda translates as “knowledge of life” dates back 5,000 years to the ancient Sanskrit texts, the Vedas. It’s a system of healing that examines physical constitution, emotional nature and spiritual outlook in the context of the universe.
Universal life force manifests as three different energies or dosha’s know as vata, pitta and kapha. We’re all made up of a unique combination of these three forces. Though everyone has some of each, most people tend to have one or two of the doshas. This unique combination is determined at the moment of conception. And is your own personal blueprint, or prakriti (nature). As you move through life, the proportion of each of the tress doshas constantly fluctuates according to your environment, your diet, the seasons, the climate, your age and many other factors. As they move into and out of balance, the doshas can affect your health, energy levels and general mood.
The Three Doshas
Kapha
Kapha types have strong frames and are naturally athletic as long they are exercising regularly to manage their tendency to gain weight. The influence of the earth and water elements makes them innately stable, compassionate, and loyal. They appreciate doing things in a methodical, step-by-step manner, and prefer a regular routine in their personal and professional lives. When imbalanced they can become unmotivated, stubborn, and complacent even when change is necessary. Their metabolism tends to be slow and their appetite for both food and stimulation is less intense than vata or pitta types. They benefit from exposing themselves to new environments, people, and occasionally fasting.
Thoughtful and calm kapha dosha, according to Ayurveda, is a deep pool of stability who benefits from invigorating elements that awaken and spark movement.
Ananda Apothecary designed Get Up + Go Aromamist an energizing blend using organic essential oils to inspire and enliven the senses with essential oils such as ylang ylang, bergamot, pink grapefruit, labdanum, fragonia and black pepper.
This blend will support anyone who is feeling sluggish, dull, lethargic or heavy energetically. Made by Amanda, Kapha Get Up + Go awakens and inspires you. This synergistic combination helps to detox and cleanse the body, while also supporting a deeply restorative and replenishing self-care ritual.
Kapha Dosha Characteristics + Balance: Ruled by the elements of water and earth, this dosha expresses calmness, smoothness and steadiness when in balance. When out of balance kapha is prone to sluggishness, immovability, and attachment.
We balance kapha by using herbs and oils that are warming, light and awakening to inspire forward momentum.
Pitta
Pitta types are dominated by the fire element, which makes them innately strong, intense, and irritable. They tend to have a medium build and endurance with powerful musculature. They often have freckled skin that easily reddens in the sun, during exercise, massage, and when blushing. They are strong willed and good at doing what they think is right. They approach work and play with the same intensity and competitiveness. They are natural leaders and quick learners whose ability to easily comprehend and master new skills and concepts can make them judgmental or impatient toward people they feel are slower or less focused than themselves. They have strong digestion and intense appetites, both for food and challenges. If they miss a meal they are likely to become grumpy and may take a "bite" out of somebody instead. It is common for them to suffer from health conditions such as inflammation, rashes, acne, and loose stool. For balance, pittas need to manage their "fiery" tendencies, channelling them in productive ways and learning to recognize their destructive power.
Driven pitta dosha in Ayurveda possesses an abundant intensity and inner fire that benefits from cooling elements to generate waves of calm. Ananda Apothecary designed Cool, Calm + Collected Aromamist a soothing and calming blend using organic essential oils of lavender, sweet fennel, cedarwood, rosewood, spearmint and jasmine.
Made by Amanda, Pitta ~ Cool, Calm + Collected relaxes and soothes you. This synergistic combination helps to detox and cleanse the body, while also supporting a deeply restorative and replenishing self-care ritual.
Pitta Dosha Characteristics + Balance: Ruled by the elements of fire and water, this dosha expresses drive, leadership, intelligence and astuteness when in balance. When out of balance, pitta is prone to skin rashes, irritation and overheating. We balance pitta by using herbs and oils that are cooling and calming to help stabilize pitta’s internal fire.
Vata
Vata types tend to be thin and lanky. They are very mentally and physically active and enjoy creative endeavours, meeting new people, and traveling to new places. When they are balanced, vatas are flexible, have lively imaginations, and are original thinkers. When imbalanced they can get anxious, ungrounded, and can seem "flaky" about fulfilling commitments, sticking to a routine, and completing projects. They tend to run cold and dry and enjoy warm, humid weather. It's common for vata types to experience cold hands and feet, constipation, dry skin, and cracking joints. The influence of the air element in their constitution causes their energy, mood, and appetite to fluctuate dramatically. For this reason vata types often fail to eat and sleep regularly, swinging from eating heavy foods to ground and sedate themselves, or ingesting stimulants like coffee and sugar to sustain intense physical or mental activity. Insomnia and low immunity are very common problem for the sensitive vata person.
Windswept vata dosha is an energetic dreamer who benefits from the balance of sturdier roots to become focused, grounded, and serene.
Ananda Apothecary designed Well Rooted Aromamist a warming and grounding blend using organic essential oils of rose geranium, sweet orange, ginger, clove, patchouli, vanilla and sweet basil.
Made by Amanda Vata ~ Well Rooted provides luxurious hydration. This synergistic combination helps to detox and cleanse the body, while also supporting a deeply restorative and replenishing self-care ritual.
Vata Dosha Characteristics + Balance: Ruled by the elements of ether and air, this dosha expresses joy, vitality, and clarity when in balance. When out of balance, vata is prone to anxiety, restlessness and nervousness. We balance vata by applying warming oils and grounding herbs that encourage vata to find sturdier feet.
Bi-doshic
Bi-doshic indicates that you share qualities strongly with two doshic types, and is actually how most of us are. People with dual constitutions (vata-pitta, pitta-kapha, and vata-kapha) are, in a sense, "split." Under certain conditions, one dosha will predominate and under other circumstances the other dosha will. The best way to manage bi-doshic prakriti is by the season. For example, if you have a vata-pitta or vata-kapha prakriti, during autumn, which is a vata season, you'd follow a vata-decreasing regimen. During warm weather, you'd follow a pitta-decreasing regimen. During the cold and wet season, you'd follow kapha.
Each Individual 50ml Ayurveda Aromamist is $20 each or Ayurveda 3 Pack $45
With Gratitude : Amanda
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