Knowing your Ayurvedic Dosha type provides us with the answer and honestly it's so easy to understand and follow. ‘Ayur’ means life, ‘Veda’ means wisdom. Put simply it’s self-awarness with an understanding of what stirs us up vs what aligns us best. I have followed an Ayurvedic approach to the foods and activities I choose according to my type for over 15 years and it has been life changing for me. That does not mean I follow it perfectly, but it does mean I know the consequences when I don’t.
You can discover your type with this questionnaire click here. Learn what sets off your anxiety (Vata Dosha), what causes heaviness and depression (Kapha Dosha), makes you frustrated and opinionated (Pitta Dosha). For example I am ‘Pitta’ dosha type and I choose not to eat chilli when I am hosting a retreat because I know I am prone to being heated, competitive, impatient …… and this is not conducive to leading you into a deep meditative state! When the Vata dosha becomes imbalanced, it manifests in the body as weight loss, constipation, dry skin, hypertension, arthritis, weakness, restlessness, and digestive challenges. When unbalanced, they are prone to worry and anxiousness and often suffer from insomnia. When they feel overwhelmed or stressed, their response is, “What did I do wrong?” - for food and lifestyle suggestions to balance click here. When Kapha dosha builds to excess – congestion, weight gain, fluid retention, and allergies manifest in the body. Kapha types may become overweight, sleep excessively, and suffer from asthma, diabetes, and depression. People with an excess of Kapha tend to be over-attached and possessive, they hold on to things, jobs, and relationships long after they are no longer nourishing or necessary. Excess Kapha in the mind manifests as resistance to change and stubbornness, they get ‘stuck’. In the face of stress, the typical Kapha response is “I don’t want to deal with it.” - for food and lifestyle suggestions to balance click here. Pitta dosha imbalance may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, and indigestion. Pitta can be critical, irritable, competitive, impatient, controlling and aggressive. Often can be short-tempered and argumentative. When Pittas are overstressed, their typical response is “What did you do wrong?” - for food and lifestyle suggestions to balance click here. What have you got to lose? Heaps try it out. Email me if you have any questions! Follow Myra Lewin @hale_pule for more Ayurveda inspiration, courses and wisdom.
Namaste, Nic Whiteman
