Basic pRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda believes five basic elements space, air, fire, water and earth manifest in the human body as three basic humors known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three doshas govern creation, maintenance and destruction of bodily tissues as well as the assimilation and elimination. Each person is born with a unique combination of these doshas which decides their basic constitution called Prakriti. Understanding of each person's Prakriti for deciding their personal diet and exercise pattern, supplements and medicinal herbs, cleansing and rebuilding therapies that is right for them are among the chief methods Ayurveda employs for the maintenance and restoration of health. It also recognizes vikriti which is a persons current individual state. 

Ayurveda teaches that in a state of doshic harmony it is possible to attain a state of true health and happiness. In order to obtain this state we must try and bring our vikriti (current state) back into alignment with our prakriti (original “pure” state). We do this with foods, oils, herbs, gems, metals, colors, hatha yoga, and meditation. 

The five elements are: space or ‘expansion’, air or ‘movement,’ fire or ‘transformation,’ water or the ‘liquid state’ of matter and earth or matter’s ‘solid state’.  The elements move from subtle to gross forms and are evident in the natural world, as well as the body, mind, and emotions.

Space manifests as the distance around or between objects. In the body, it is represented wherever there are spaces or cavities, such as the nose, mouth ears or anus.  In the mind, it’s the pause between thoughts. Emotionally, it is a feeling of emptiness or longing.

Air manifests as movement like a breeze or wind. In the body, it is breathing, the nervous system, the movement of food through the digestive tract. In the mind, it’s the movement of thought. Emotionally, it is the love that moves between us. 

Fire it’s hot, it cooks and transforms. It’s the biological manifestation of digestion and metabolism and the fire and light found in nature, the body and mind. It provides light, warmth, and luster to skin. In the mind, it’s our ability to transform ideas into reality. Emotionally, it is passion and creativity

Water is found in oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, and puddles. Throughout the seasons, it’s observed as rain, sleet, ice, and snow. In the body, it’s all fluids and in any location where there’s wetness. It includes tears, saliva, mucous, sweat, pee, and spinal fluid.  In the mind, its seen as fluidity of thought, dreams, and imagination. Emotionally, it represents the unctuous expressions of love such as touching, kissing, and hugging.

Earth is the foundation and solidity upon which we build. In the body, it is our structure and is seen in the skin, skeleton, muscles, and organs. In the mind, it is seen as stability, calmness and patience. Too much earth is represented by heavy emotions, such as doubt and hopelessness.

The elements combine together to form the three constitutions or body types

Vata is a combination of air and space. Pitta is fire and water and Kapha is earth and water.