Ayurveda: science and art of mind-body balance

Published: 02/08/2009 - Updated: 09/25/2018

The word Ayurveda means knowledge of life. This is a science and art at once, which keeps in balance and harmony to the body and mind. Ayurveda says that at the point where the mind and body are, the thought becomes fieldAt this point the three principles are called doshas rulers (energy), which are responsible for all physical, emotional and mental body. A smooth, coordinated and balanced development of the three doshas sustains life and helps to maintain health and their imbalance leads, however, the decline in the body and personality disorders.

According to Ayurveda, the universal life force manifests as three different forms of energy, or doshas, which are known as vata, pitta and Kapha, and each person is constituted by a unique combination of natural forces. This unique design was determined at the time of conception, and determines our constitution or Prakriti.

The three doshas

The three doshas vary at each instant as the environment, diet, emotions, seasons, weather, age and so on. When each individual consists of a unique and balanced, also in a unique way, the way to restore harmony and balance is also unique.

The three doshas are usually described in terms of five elements: land, air, fire, water and ether.

  • Vata constitution : Based on the air and ether. Like the wind, this constitution is light, dry, cool and capable of movement.
  • Pitta Constitution : based on fire, energy metabolism and reproduction. Considered mainly with the elements of fire, heat, light, or dry or wet. Does not move by itself but easily moves the wind (Vata).
  • Constitution Kapha : It consists of water and land, and when mixed form the mud. Governs the functions concerning the structure of the body. Is heavy, wet, cold and stable.

According to this ancient practice, the doshas, or energies of each constitution is constantly fluctuating. When they move out of balance, affecting specific areas of our body is very particular. For example, when Vata is out of balance, usually in excess, tends to suffer from diseases related to the small intestine, such as constipation and gas, as well as problems in the nervous system and immune disorders as well as joints.

When there is excess in Pitta, this is likely to suffer from the large intestine and diarrhea, as well as problems in liver, thyroid, blood, eyes and skin.

When there is Kapha imbalance or in this show too may be suffering from stomach diseases, pulmonary and metabolic studies.

The practice of Ayurveda

There is a principle that we must always take into account, and is that as a dosha increases, the other on the other hand, decreases. In other words, called diet, exercise, emotional states, etc. that have characteristics of a particular dosha to increase this, whereas the diet, exercise and others who are opposed to this dosha.

What physical Ayurveda is associated with my personality?

We said that the three doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which are formed by their respective elements. Although the doshas regulate thousands of different functions in the mind-body, comply with three basic functions:

Simple dosha types are vata, pitta, and Kapha.

If a dosha is much higher than the others is a simple type of dosha. The score is most representative one in which the primary dosha is twice the points as follows (eg Vata = 90 = 45 Pitta, Kapha = 35), but also have lower margins. A real simple presents dosha type traits Vata, Pitta or Kapha is very prominent. The next dosha even have some influence on their natural tendencies, but in much less.

Two doshas Types

  • Vata – Pitta or Pitta – Vata
  • Pitta – Kapha or Kapha – Pitta
  • Kapha – Vata or Vata – Kapha

If there is a dosha that is predominant, you are a kind of two doshas. This means that you show qualities of its two main doshas, either together or alternately. The highest of its kind psychophysiological predominates, but both count.

The most important thing is not being cataloged, but learning something about yourself. If we understand the system of Ayurveda, and the single rate of our body, we can improve our health.

Gauging the psychophysiological type

The following questionnaire is divided into three sections. The twenty first questions relate to Vata dosha, read each sentence and classify, from 0 to 6, to what extent it applies to you.

0 = Not applicable to me

3 = applies to me, to some extent (or sometimes).

6 = applies to me usually (almost always).

At the end of the section, record your total score of Vata. For example, if you marked 6 to the first question, 3 for second and a third for 2, your total so far is 6 + 3 + 2 = 11. Add up all the section and thus reach their final score. Do the same with the 20 questions of Pitta and Kapha.

When finished, we will have three different scores. Determined by comparing their physical type.

As this is quite physical traits objectives, the choice is usually obvious. In the case of In the case of mental and behavior characteristics that are more subjective, must be answered according to how you have felt and acted most of life, or at least in recent years.

Vedic Concepts:

According to modern science, health is a state of sickness absence. According to Veda, health is a state of perfect balance of mind and body, where consciousness is established in the being and life expectancy expands to immortality, connecting with the knowledge the totality of knowledge.
psychophysiological questionnaire type.

VATA 

1. My actions and my thoughts are fast.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

2. I find it difficult to memorize and remember things later.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

3. I am happy and enthusiastic by nature.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

4. I tend to be of thin build and weighing barely climb.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

5. I have an established routine in terms of my schedule to eat and sleep.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

6. My walking is light and fast.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

7. I have difficulty making decisions.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

8. My digestion is irregular, with gases and inflammation of the stomach.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

9. My feet and hands tend to be cold.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

10. If I am under stress I tend to worry and feel anxious.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

11. Not tolerate the cold.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

12. I speak fast and I'm very talkative.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

13. Easily change the mood and I am very sensitive and emotional.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

14. I tend to have trouble staying asleep and wake up easily.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

15. My skin and my hair tends to be dry.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

16. I have an active mind with a tendency to be restless.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

17. My movements are fast and my energy comes in bursts.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

18. I am easily excited.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

19. As fast and finish before the others and my eating habits are irregular.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

20. I learn fast, but forget fast.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

Total points

VATA ________

PITTA

1. I consider myself very efficient.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

2. Development activities with my order and precision.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

3. I am a strong and energetic attitude.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

4. I am uncomfortable with the heat more than other people.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

4. I am uncomfortable with the heat more than other people.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

6. Although sometimes I do not show anger and irritate easily.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

7. If you do not like my hours to anger me.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

8. My premature gray hair sample is small or tends to be reddish.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

9. I have a good appetite and can eat a lot if you wish.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

10. Many people consider me stubborn.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

11. I am very regular in my bowel movements.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

12. When I'm pushing forward and easily irritated me.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

13. I tend to be perfectionist and does not tolerate mistakes.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

14. I tend to get angry easily but easily forgotten.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

15. I love the drinks and food cold, especially ice cream.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

16. I feel more heat than cold.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

17. Not tolerate very spicy food and spicy.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

18. I am not as tolerant as disagreements should be.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

19. I enjoy the challenges and when I want something I have a determinant in my efforts to do so.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

20. My thinking is critical, I'm good to debate and argue a point forcefully.
1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

Total points

Pitta ________

KAPHA

1. My activities are carried out slowly.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

2. I tend to go up in weight and easy for me to work down.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

3. I have a good and placid disposition, easily lose their temper.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

4. I do not feel bad if one of the three meals a day.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

5. I tend to have chronic sinusitis, asthma or excessive phlegm.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

6. I sleep 8 hours or more and yet I can start work tomorrow.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

7. My sleep is deep.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

8. I am a calm person and I do not anger easily.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

9. I find it a little effort to learn something new, but since I do very well withhold information.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

10. I tend to retain fat in the body.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

11. The cold, wet or cloudy bother me.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

12. My hair tends to be thick, dark and wavy.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

13. My skin is pale and smooth.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

14. My complexion is solid and sturdy.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

15. The following describes me very well: cool, sweet, loving and forgive easily.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

16. My digestion is slow and feel heavy after eating.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

17. My energy level is constant, I have good level of strength and endurance a lot.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

18. Generally slow and joyful way.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

19. I tend to sleep more, waking up dizzy and with a little sloppy to start the day.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

20. As I slowly and methodically.

1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … 5 … 6

Total points

Kapha ________

Final Score ; Vata _______ Pitta _______ Kapha _______

About the author
  • K. Laura Garcés G

    Writer, therapist and lecturer. She is a lover of natural medicine and the power of mind and emotions in body and life. In addition, he has studied nutrition and develops appropriate diets to support this healing process.She has written more than 1500 articles in magazines in Spain and Mexico, winner of two literature contests. Linkedin.

1 Reply to “Ayurveda: science and art of mind-body balance”
  • Stacy says:

    What a great introduction to ayurvedic medicine and understanding of the body. I read a really, really good book a few years ago that got me started on Ayurveda, and I have found that the dosha categories that both my fiance and I fit into, really do explain a lot of our natural health tendencies.