strap in folks, we’re about to go into some hardcore healing modalities today! grab some tea, put on your blue light glasses, and get ready to open up a whole new world of health.

as a the weird ole hippy middle schooler i was, i learned about ayurveda when i was 12. i’d been on a quest to heal my acne and lose some weight (as all insecure adolescence girls do, which is g a r b a g e) and i ran across a a quiz on pinterest to find out about your dosha.

from then on, i was obsessed with learning about different kinds of healing from around the world. hence why i have a blog about it now.

this post just skims the tippy tippy top of ayurveda. i’ve left some other resources at the bottom for you to peruse at your leisure.

what is ayurveda?

at a basic definitional level, ayurveda is the ancient healing ideas from the vedic culture of india. it is considered the earliest forms of medicine, and has since braided with buddhist techniques with a little jainism thrown in there.

ayurveda means “the science of life” in sanskrit, and is the sister science of yoga.

there are two main ideas in ayurveda: that the mind and the body are interwoven, and the mind is the best healer for the body.

ayurvedic practitioners believe that all people have a certain constitution of elements in them, and can be characterized by those levels, called doshas. there are also other governing forces like malas (waste), dhatus (tissues) and agni (fire), but for now we’re going to focus on doshas.

the doshas

keep in mind that you do not have “a dosha”, you have a constitution made up of doshas, it is rare to have one dosha be super high. most people have two doshas around the same level. your body may be governed by one dosha and your mind by another, you may fluctuate between seasons, it’s all unique to you!

the best and most accurate way ton learn your constitution is to visit an ayurvedic practitioner. if there is not one available, you can take an online assessment like this one or this one.

pitta

pitta is the fiyaaaaah and water of life. it’s characteristics are heat, sharpness, and fluidity. pitta is the source of transformation, and provides your inner heat. pitta is responsible for digestion, producing blood and supporting sight and intelligence.

if you lean towards a pitta constitution you may have these physical attributes: symmetrical features, fine, oily hair, prone to freckles and moles, flexible joints, sweats easily, high metabolism, enjoys the cold.

your mind may: be sharp and intelligent, quick, clear thinking, goal oriented, structured, driven and competitive, hot headed or argumentative.

when you are out of balance, pittas: are irritated, prone to judgement, overly competitive, feel burning sensations, frequently flushed, excessively thirsty, prone to sweating, crave sweet and cold foods, and may have heart burn.

vata

vata represents the air element. it’s main characteristics are mobility, dryness, subtlety and lightness. it is the dosha of movement, and it’s main functions are providing sensation, igniting inner fire and supporting memory.

if you lean towards a vata constitution you may have these physical attributes: thin, dry hair, a tenancy to be thin, cool, dry skin, brittle nails, delicate joints, long and narrow limbs.

your mind may: be creative, quick to learn, sensitive, quick to feel and express emotion, have wavering thoughts and routines, and be adaptive to change.

when you are out of balance, vatas: lack concentration, have a hard time sleeping, are extra sensitive, are restless and tense, have have constipation or gas, crave sweet, salty or sour foods, have stiff or painful joints, and have low immunity.

kapha

where are ell my grounded kaphas at? y’all are the the shit that keep us grounded in life, literally representing the earth element. it’s characteristics are heaviness, stability, and smoothness. kapha gives the body strength. kapha is responsible for keeping the body strong and lubricated as well as providing taste.

if you lean towards a kapha constitution you may have these physical attributes: think, oily, often curly hair, round features, prone to weigh gain, moist, thick skin, thick, strong nails, strong muscles and joints, slow metabolism.

your mind may: have excellent memory, prone to long term thinking and goals, good natured, slow to change, patient, generous, calm, slow to learn, deliberate in reacting.

when you are out of balance, kaphas: lack drive, prone to attachment, excessively cold, loss of appetite, reduced sensory experience, prone to weight gain, feel heavy, feel lethargic, have difficulty becoming active, and may have colds are coughs with lots of mucus.

applying ayurveda to your daily life.

• follow a daily routine. different doshas dominate different parts of the day, so having a routine that flows with the doshas can keep you keeling calm and productive.

• use nutrition as the ultimate healer. so much importance is placed on the food you eat. look more into the pacifying foods for your constitution, and see if it feels intuitive for you.

• cleanse the ayurvedic way. cleanliness is a very important part of an ayurvedic lifestyle. beyond the typical shower, brushing teeth and eliminating, you may want to consider using a neti pot or tongue scraper, performing nasya or oil pulling, or giving yourself and oil massage.

• work with your constitution. once you find your constitution, try implementing small steps to help pacify any imbalances. i’ve left some great resources below to learn more about diet changes, panchakarma, daily rituals, massages, yoga, fasting, pranayama and much more.

• learn what works for you. just like astrology or crystals or mantras or spiritual instagrammers, not everything resonates with everyone, and ayurveda just may not resonate with you. and that’s okay! find what works for you.

other sources

• practical ayurveda. this book is the best. it’s beautiful, bright and full of everything a beginner wants to know about ayurveda.

• this pdf from the ayurvedic health center has a ton of good stuff about the finer points of the elements and tissues working together.

• this academic article about bridging the gap between ayurveda and modern science.

• yoga journal videos have lots of practical, easily digestible advice about how to lean into a more ayurvedic lifestyle.

pin it for later!