Ayurveda is a practical and philosophical way of life from ancient India that prescribes conscious living and holistic prevention as keys to a balanced and long life. Ayurveda means the 'science of life' and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Today as in the past, Ayurvedic practitioners continue to share this well proven science that holds a practical knowledge of living that is very applicable in the modern world.

The Three Body Types

According to Ayurveda, the entire universe is divided into five elements:
1) solid, like the earth we live on
2) liquids
3) gases, which represent fluidity and are more subtle than solids
4) forces that transform these phases from one to another
5) ether or space

These elements combine with each other and give rise to three forces that
are fundamental to life. In our bodies, these forces are known as the doshas.
The doshas affect the atoms of our cells, the cells themselves and finally our entire body and mind. The three types are called Kapha, Pitta and Vata.

All three doshas are present in everyone. Each one of us has our own unique combination of doshas from birth throughout life, this is called our constitution. Typically, one or two doshas predominate, though some of us have all three in equal proportion.

The constitution is our psycho-physiological backdrop and predisposes us toward certain strengths, susceptibilities, types of illnesses and psychological traits. Constitution can be thought of as a body type with accompanying emotional and mental qualities. Each has many beautiful and profound qualities, as well as their own challenges.

The basic key in Ayurveda is to maintain the same relative proportion of doshas as in your innate constitution. This balance is synonymous with health, vibrancy and your experience of well being and happiness.

A dosha produces specific effects both when in balance and when out of balance. Signs of balanced doshas are desirable qualities; those of imbalanced doshas are undesirable and can initiate the disease process.

Ayurvedic guidelines give us ways to avert imbalance and to restore balance. This can be accomplished by maintaining a lifestyle that creates equilibrium. Remember that your constitution is happiest in its innate balanced state.

How you live, the change in seasons, your environment, what you eat, digest and eliminate, exercise, emotions, change in chronological age, and your mind set all affect this balance.

It is very important to look at your system in a holistic way. If there is a lack in your life, it can create an imbalance in the doshas and start the disease process. When your spirit feels connected, it actually prevents imbalances that could otherwise occur. And a healthy body, vital mind, and radiant spirit are yours to enjoy.