WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
A SIMPLE GUIDE TO AYURVEDA
You may have heard the word Ayurveda before but might not really know what is means.
Simply put, Ayurveda is a traditional natural system of healthy living that originated more than 5,000 years ago in ancient India (known as the Vedic times). Also referred as “Ayurvedic Medicine”, it is based on the idea that disease is fundamentally caused due to an imbalance or stress in the human system. The objective of Ayurveda is to cure the root causes by promoting healthy living, not just suppress the symptoms.
This system of Ayurvedic living is multi-faceted and may seem confusing because of the various aspects it encompasses. It is actually a very simple and practical way to living that has been tested and refined over centuries. It encourages a certain lifestyle that helps in regaining a balance between the body, mind, spirt and our environment, leading to a healthy, happy, creative, enjoyable, long and full life.
AYURVEDA IS NOT JUST A PHILOSOPHY OR SCIENCE, IT’S A LIFESTYLE
The practice is largely focused on using healing medicinal plants along with healing therapies for detoxifying the body and mind. These include:
- A balanced Ayurvedic diet
- Everyday personal care routines
- Herbal medications and natural plant supplements
- The world’s most comprehensive cleansing protocols to detoxify the body and rejuvenate the mind, known as Panchakarma. This program includes herbal oil massages, steam baths, cleaning enemas, among other things.
- Yoga
- Meditation
It is a holistic approach to physical and mental health - the word “Ayurveda” literally translates to the “Knowledge of Life”.
Ayurveda is still widely practiced in India. When you use a now commonplace spice like Turmeric for its anti-inflammatory powers, you should know that it has it roots in the lifestyle promoted by Ayurveda!
BODY TYPES IN AYURVEDA
Ayurveda’s basic principle is that all matter in nature, including human beings, manifested from the 5 elements – Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
We are all born with a defined combination of these elements that determines our base nature and energy. As we interact with our external environment our base energy is impacted and may get out of balance. Ayurvedic principles aim to recognize and measure these imbalances and cure them using counteracting qualities that bring the body back to its internal base energy, where we thrive and can live a full and healthy life.
THE 5 ELEMENTS IN THE HUMAN BODY
The 5 elements manifest in different ways in the human body and relate to our senses as well.
ELEMENT |
IN THE BODY |
IN THE SENSES |
|
SPACE |
Spaces in the nose, mouth, abdominal, respiratory tract |
Hearing (Space is the medium through which sound is transmitted, The Ear in the medium)
|
|
AIR |
Heart pulsations, Lung contractions, stomach movements |
Touch (Air is related to sense of touch. The skin is the medium)
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FIRE |
Metabolism, Digestive System, Intelligence |
Vision (Fire manifests as light and is related to vision. The Eyes are the medium)
|
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WATER |
Digestive juices, saliva, mucus membrane, bodily functions |
Taste (Without water, we cannot taste. The tongue is the medium)
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EARTH
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Bones, cartilage, nails, muscles, tendons, skin, hair
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Smell (The earth element relates to the sense of smell. The nose is the medium)
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A specific combination of these elements is the energy of a human being. There are 3 fundamental ruling energies that are present in specific proportion in a person, which makes them unique in their physical, mental, emotional and behavioral qualities.
THE 3 FUNDAMENTAL ENERGIES IN HUMANS
AIR ENERGY (Comes from Air + Space elements. Traditionally called VATA Dosha)
FIRE ENERGY (Comes from Fire + Water elements. Traditionally called PITTA Dosha)
EARTH ENERGY (Comes from Earth + Water elements. Traditionally called KAPHA Dosha)
WHAT’S MY BODY TYPE? WHAT’S MY DOSHA?
Our fundamental nature and existence are determined by a combination of the 3 energies (Air, Fire, Earth), with one or more dominating.
You can use the fun starter guide below to find your energy type. Take the Quiz to find your body type.
| CHARACTERISTICS: PHYSICAL ASPECTS | |
| Body Frame | AIR  : Thin |
FIRE  : Moderate |
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EARTH
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| Body Weight | AIR : Light |
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FIRE : Moderate
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EARTH
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| Skin |
AIR : Dry, Rough
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FIRE : Soft, Oily, Warm
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EARTH
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| Hair |
AIR : Dry |
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FIRE : Soft, Oily, Premature Grey |
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EARTH
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| Teeth |
AIR : Big Size, Bony Gums
|
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FIRE : Moderate Size, Soft Gums
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EARTH
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| Eyes |
AIR : Small, Dull, Dry |
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FIRE : Sharp, Penetrating |
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EARTH
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| Appetite |
AIR : Small, Inconsistent
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FIRE : Good, Excessive
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EARTH
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| Taste |
AIR : Sweet, Sour, Salty |
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FIRE : Sweet, Bitter, Astringent |
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EARTH
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| Thirst |
AIR : Inconsistent
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FIRE : Excessive
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EARTH
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| Body Waste |
AIR : Dry, Hard, Constipated
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FIRE : Sofy, Oily, Constipated |
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EARTH
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| Physical Activity |
AIR : Very Active
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FIRE : Moderate
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EARTH
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| Speech |
AIR : Fast |
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FIRE : Sharp and Cutting |
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EARTH
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| Pulse |
AIR : Feeble, Snake like movement
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FIRE : Jumpy, Frog like movement
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EARTH
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| CHARACTERISTICS: MENTAL ASPECTS | |
| Mind |
AIR : Restless, Active |
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FIRE : Aggressive, Intelligent
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EARTH
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| Faith |
AIR : Changeable
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FIRE : Fanatic
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EARTH
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| Memory |
AIR : Good short term, Poor long term |
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FIRE : Sharp |
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EARTH
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| Financial Status |
AIR : Poor, Spends quickly on trivial things
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FIRE : Moderate, Spends on luxuries
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EARTH
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| CHARACTERISTICS: EMOTIONAL ASPECTS | |
| Temperament |
AIR : Fearful
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FIRE : Aggressive, Irritable, Jealous |
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EARTH
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| Sleep |
AIR : Light, Interrupted
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FIRE : Little, but sound
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EARTH
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| Dreams |
AIR : Fearful, Flying Running, Jumping
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FIRE : Fiery, Angry, Voilent, Aggression |
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EARTH
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: BroadAre you an Air, Fire, Earth or a combination of Energies?
Mark if you are an Air, Fire or Earth for each Aspect. Add them up and see which one is your primary or secondary energy by highest scores.
Experiencing aspects that are outside of your fundamental energies means you are not in balance and need to take action to get back to a thriving state.
VEDIC TIGER’s goal is to bring to you some of the principles of Ayurveda in the products that we offer. Our selection of personal care items for your daily routine aims to enhance your skin and hair, counteract anxiety and stress, remove toxins from the tissues and increase energy levels.
Combined with other principles for a holistic and healthy living, our goal is to be a trusted partner in your journey.
Explore our selection of 100% Natural, Clean and Pure products made from medicinal plants sourced from India.
