Ayurveda, “the science of life”, is India’s traditional health system and yoga’s sister science. Its central idea is simple: health is balance between us and nature.
The three doshas
Ayurveda describes three energies or doshas, made from the five elements. All three are present in everyone, but in different proportions.
- Vata (air and ether): movement, creativity, lightness. Out of balance: anxiety, dryness, insomnia.
- Pitta (fire and water): transformation, intelligence, determination. Out of balance: irritability, inflammation, too much heat.
- Kapha (earth and water): stability, calm, strength. Out of balance: heaviness, lethargy, attachment.
Simple habits to start
- Rise early and keep regular hours.
- Drink a glass of warm water on waking.
- Eat your main meal at midday, when digestive fire is strongest.
- Eat seasonally.
- Give yourself an oil self-massage before showering.
- Go to bed early.
In our teacher training, Mabel Muñoz gives a down-to-earth, practical introduction. It’s a doorway to understanding ourselves better and choosing what balances us.
