Ayurveda is often called the “sister science” of yoga. The two sciences utilize practices and concepts from each other’s philosophies though they come from different texts in the Vedic system.
Ayurveda is focused on cultivation of health, elimination of disease, and rejuvenation of the body and spirit through the use of nourishing food, herbs, and lifestyle practices. Ayurveda also utilizes therapies from the yogic tradition such as asana, mediation, and breathwork, to name a few. In this way, we address the physical body while simultaneously cultivating health in the mind and spirit. Health becomes compromised when there is an imbalance in one or more of these areas.
The Science of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a science first and foremost. It is based on careful theory, observation, and thousands of years of application. There are countless published contemporary studies on Ayurvedic herbs and practices (benefits of breathing exercises, yoga, Turmeric, Ashwagandha, to name a few).
Ayurveda is an earth-based tradition that utilizes the understanding of nature’s qualities, cycles (daily, monthly, seasonal), and movements to gain insight into imbalances in the body/mind/spirit. This is a very important component of Ayurveda and one only recently being studied by Western medicine in the field of Circadian Medicine.
The Importance of Digestion
Nutrition and diet are among the most important aspects of Ayurvedic medicine. In Ayurveda, the digestive fire (agni) must be properly supported for overall health. A perspective that is well-supported by western science. If the digestion and assimilation is not functioning properly we begin to see a cascade of issues arise-IBS, joint pain, skin issues, irritability, stress, or lethargy to name a few.
Western medicine acknowledges the importance of the gut microbiome and the gut-brain connection for overall health yet the bulk of this research is only about 15 years old. Ayurveda had a sophisticated map of this process over 5,000 years ago and integrates this knowledge across many systems.
Beyond Online Dosha Tests
Folks who may be, even slightly, familiar with Ayurveda have gotten to know the concept of the three doshas-vata, pitta, and kapha. The doshas (translated as ‘fault’) are a combination of qualities in every living thing. While the name suggest something negative, when in balance, our doshas give rise to wonderful aspects of health and personality. When out of balance…that’s when we encounter discomfort and disease.
Each person is made up of a unique combination of these doshas and our bodies are governed by the interplay of the doshas. We are all unique and exhibit these qualities in various ways (fiery personalities, creative thinkers, dependable friends, etc). This also gives us the myriad physical body types we find in humans.
To evaluate each person’s individual make-up, we assess various qualities at the age of puberty (prakriti) as well as the current qualities that are being exhibited (vikriti). This gives us a snapshot of the of doshas in each person. It is easy to find online quizzes (you can even take one here) to find your prakriti/vikriti however the reality is (unsurprisingly) more complex. It is easy to make assumptions on which herbs to take and which foods to add/omit, but there are many other factors involved in Ayurvedic pathology that can’t be gleaned from a quick online test. These are great starting points, but for a deeper understanding of Ayurveda, it is best to consult a trained professional.