Author: Arun Ganesan

Ayurveda is the science and art of life and longevity. The rishis of old gifted us with the understanding of how the five great elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth are orchestrated for our embodied life by the three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. Each person is a combination of all elements and all doshas in a unique way. When we understand our doshic pattern, we can work harmoniously with our environment. We tend to stay in balance physically, mentally and emotionally so that we may pursue and practice what Amma guides us to: love, transformation and Self-Realization. Any person can experience any imbalance. A vata imbalance is marked by experiences of dry, cold, scattered, spacy, airy, anxious, nervous, frail, and ungrounded. A pitta imbalance intensifies the experiences of heat, anger, impatience, sensitivity, stress, and judgment. The kapha imbalance overextends the experiences of heavy, sleepy, inwardly depressed, cold, stagnant, and tearful. The types of practice for tridoshas A deep relaxing prana flowing asana practice neutralizes the airy and spacy vata dosha. A calming, heart-centered practice of asanas balances the aggressive and agitated pitta dosha. A dynamic and energizing practice reduces the sluggish, lethargic energy. For vata imbalance Avoid cold, windy conditions; too much exercise and travel; too much stress; foods that are hard, dry, rough and cold. Sesame oil abhyanga daily is one of the best balancers....