Is former still a bit too abstract? I’ll try to make it more concrete by illustrating some of the basic concepts of Ayurveda. Hopefully this also helps you to understand the purpose of the questions that will be asked during consultations and the diet-, lifestyle- and treatment advices that result from that.

Remember: this is a first, short introduction. There is far more to tell. If you’re interested in that, or if my explanation is not completely clear, feel free to ask me for more clarification during a consultation. I would definitely enjoy that and it will enable you even more to make the right choices in daily life to support your health!

Everything in this universe has certain Gunas, or qualities and properties. Because of that, everything has the potency to either bring you in, or keep you out of balance, depending on the qualities that currently dominate your body (and mind!).

Ayurveda uses the concept of Gurvadi gunas. These are 10 pairs of opposite qualities. An important fact that needs to be remembered when working with the Gunas is that ‘equal increases equal’. To illustrate this.. applying heat creates more heat in the body, or to turn it around, heat diminishes cold. (Read more..)

If you already delved into the wisdom of Ayurveda a bit more, you undoubtedly ran into this term before. You could state that this unique concept is the foundation of Ayurveda. Literally Dosha means flaw or fault (because it has the potency to bring the body out of balance), but since the Doshas in healthy state support the different functions of the body and in that way maintain the body, that translation doesn’t really capture the full sense of Dosha.

Here is my attempt to describe the principle in a simplified way. You could consider Dosha as a dynamic force with a specific set of functions and qualities (Gunas) that cause certain effects in the body. There three of these forces or Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata is made up out of the elements air and ether. This explains its qualities, which include dryness, coldness, lightness, roughness, subtleness and mobility. Vata creates space, brings change and movement. This Dosha is responsible for the breakdown of tissues. It supports inhalation and exhalation, excretion of wastes, mental functioning and that of the senses. Enthusiasm and zeal are also due to Vata.

Pitta consists of fire and a bit of water. Because of that, its qualities include heat, (some) oiliness, sharpness and liquidity. This Dosha is responsible for transformation, for warmth. Its functions in the body are, among others, digestion, maintenance of body temperature and eyesight. Pitta brings you intelligence and courage.

The combination of water and earth forms Kapha. This makes it heavy, cold, slimy, dull, stable and oily. Stability, cohesion, materialization are due to this Dosha. Kapha builds the bodily tissues. Functions of Kapha are lubrication, firmness of the joins and immunity. It makes one capable of handling stress and provides good memory.  

When you are conceived, you receive a unique combination of these three forces (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). This combination is called Prakriti, which literally means ‘original creation’ or ‘natural state’. (Read more..)

Vikruti literally means ‘after creation’, it is the state of the three Doshas in the body after conception. It refers to the current condition of your Doshas.

In an ideal situation your Vikruti equals your Prakriti, and you will be in optimum health. This however is rarely the case, because it doesn’t happen much that your environment, nutrition and other factors are exactly aligned with your personal Prakriti. Not least because most people are totally unaware of this concept.. (Read more..)

Transformation, digestion and warmth are due to Agni, also known as the fire element. Conversion of everything that enters the body from outside into something the body can use, or, in case it is unsuitable or useless, can excrete. The ingestion of food is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but also everything that enters the senses, and even emotions and thoughts, need to be digested. As a result of these actions, Agni is responsible for a proper digestion as well as the difference between a blurred and a clear mind. (Read more..)

Ama literally means ‘uncooked’ or ‘undigested’. It is a toxic waste product that arises from improper or incomplete digestion. It can accumulate in the body and by doing so cause damage. If Jatharagni cannot perform its task correctly, this maybe the case if you start eating again before your previous meal has been digested, or when your attention is somewhere else, like when you watch television during dinner, Ama will be the result. Ama can also occur on mental level, when emotions and impressions do not get the opportunity and time to be processed.

I think it is clear by now, in the interest of good health it is wise to keep the fire burning and balanced! That’s why Ayurveda offers a broad range of advices and herbs to achieve this.

Over time Doshas display cycles in which they increase in quantity and their qualities become more strongly present, in which they peak, and then decline again. This is an important principle within Ayurveda. Living in tune with the rhythm of nature comprises adjustment of nutrition, lifestyle and treatments to these cycles. 

When you know which Dosha is prominent in your constitution, or in your current imbalance, you can combine this knowledge and take measures to inhibit this Dosha from crossing the borders in which it can perform its normal tasks. In this way you can prevent discomfort or more serious complaints. Since the Doshas influence the state of your Agni (irregular, intense or dull), these rhythms also interfere with your digestion.

Important aspects in our lives and environment in which these cycles manifest are day-and-night rhythm, seasons, age and digestion. The different phases of these rhythms all have their own dominant Dosha. Below you will find the periods in which the Doshas are most strongly present.

This is the reason why certain foods and activities are advised at a specific part of the day. Like consuming the largest meal around noon, when Pitta and digestion are strongest. It also explains why preventive nutrition- and lifestyle-measurements change over time. It therefore is wise to occasionally check whether your diet habits and activities still support your health in the best way, or that adjustments need to be made according to time of year and your current stage of life!