Preliminary Explorations into Ayurveda

... ancient wisdom for modern wellness

Greetings,

In my last newsletter, I made a promise—to demystify Ayurveda and introduce it in a simple manner so that even those who've only heard the word in passing can find a welcoming entry point. I'm thrilled to begin to fulfill that promise and embark on this journey of discovery with you.

But first, let me share a little insight into my own journey. As I delve deeper into the world of Ayurveda, now studying to become a Holistic Ayurvedic Counselor, I've encountered truths that resonate deeply within me. Simple yet profound, these teachings have the power to transform lives if only they're given the chance to be heard.

I'll admit—I've had my fair share of battles with stubbornness. Change, even when it's for the better, can feel daunting. Yet, what I've come to realize is that many of these Ayurvedic principles require nothing more than an open mind and a willingness to embrace their wisdom. They don't demand Herculean efforts; instead, they gently beckon us to integrate them into our lives, guiding us toward positive change with their quiet truths.

So, dear reader, if you've ever felt curious about Ayurveda or sensed a whisper of its potential to enhance your well-being, know that you're not alone. Together, let's peel back the layers of mystery, embrace these timeless teachings, and discover the profound transformation they hold within.

With an open heart and a curious spirit, let's dive into the depths of Ayurveda, where ancient wisdom meets modern understanding, and where the journey toward wellness begins.

Let’s begin. Shall we?

I must introduce a few fundamental concepts so things are simple as we move along.

One is Prakriti and the other is Dosha(s).

In Ayurveda, Prakriti is a fundamental concept that refers to an individual's unique physical and psychological constitution. Imagine Prakriti as the blueprint or innate makeup of an individual, determining their tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, and overall health profile. Just as each person has a unique fingerprint, Ayurveda suggests that each person has a unique Prakriti. This Prakriti is established at the time of conception.

Dosha in Sanskrit primarily means "fault" or "defect." The concept of doshas in Ayurveda refers to those aspects or qualities within the body that are susceptible to becoming imbalanced or "faulty." This imbalance can lead to various health issues or disturbances. So, in a way, doshas represent those elements within the body that have the potential to become imbalanced and cause disharmony.

There are three doshas identified by Ayurveda and they are called:

1. Vata 2. Pitta 3. Kapha

Think of these doshas as energies within our body that make everything happen.

Air and Space

For instance, Vata is represents the elements of air and space. It governs movement, communication, creativity, and flexibility. When in balance, Vata individuals tend to be lively, enthusiastic, and creative. However, an imbalance may lead to anxiety, restlessness, or digestive issues.

Fire and Water

Pitta is associated with the elements of fire and water. It governs metabolism, digestion, intellect, and ambition. Balanced Pitta individuals are often intelligent, focused, and ambitious. However, an excess of Pitta can result in irritability, inflammation, or digestive disorders.

Earth and Water

Kapha comprises the elements of earth and water. It governs stability, strength, immunity, and nurturing qualities. Balanced Kapha individuals are typically calm, compassionate, and steady. But excess Kapha can lead to lethargy, weight gain, or congestion.

Your Prakriti is determined by the relative dominance of these doshas at the time of your conception and remains stable throughout your life. However, external factors like diet, lifestyle, stress, and environmental changes can influence the balance of doshas, potentially leading to imbalances and health issues.

Understanding your Prakriti can guide you in making choices related to diet, exercise, daily routine, and overall lifestyle to maintain or restore balance and promote health and well-being. Ayurvedic practitioners often assess Prakriti through a combination of physical examination, questioning, and observation of individual traits and tendencies. By aligning with your Prakriti, you can optimize your health and vitality according to your unique constitution.

Phew, that was quite a bit of pedagogy, wasn't it? I tried to make it interesting with pretty pictures. Hope that helped a little.

So much to learn, so little time

So, here's the thing—I went through all that spiel above to really drive home a point: if you're thinking about dabbling in some Ayurvedic tips for keeping healthy or want to learn simple home remedies for everyday stuff like a pesky cold or a dodgy tummy, a minor ache or pain, knowing your Prakriti is key.

Now, there are a bunch of ways to figure out your Prakriti. Ideally, you'd chat with an Ayurvedic practitioner, but let's face it, they're not always easy to come by, and maybe you're not all that keen on seeing one anyway. Enter the internet. Yup, you guessed it—there are tons of Prakriti questionnaires floating around out there. But, like anything online, there's the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I'm not here to endorse any particular questionnaire, though. If what you've read so far has piqued your interest in uncovering your Prakriti, my advice is to find a reputable site or grab a trusted book and fill out one of those questionnaires. Just make sure you're honest with your answers—no wishful thinking allowed! (Believe me, I learned this the hard way. Before I got into studying Ayurveda, I took those tests a few times and got different results each time!) Fun fact: your Prakriti stays the same throughout your life, but those pesky imbalances, well, they can come and go. And guess what? It's those imbalances that often lead to most of the health issues we deal with.

That's where Ayurveda shines—it's all about nipping those minor imbalances in the bud before they snowball into something bigger and messier that needs a ton more fixing.

An offer to you my readers,

As a student of Ayurveda, I've gotta say, practice makes perfect. And the more I get to help folks figure out their Prakriti—their unique Ayurvedic constitution—the better I become at it. I've been at this for about 7 months now. I'm feeling pretty proficient.

Here's where you come in. I'm offering a sweet deal to the first five people who hop on board and subscribe to this free newsletter. If you're itching to uncover your Prakriti and dive deeper into this fascinating world of Ayurveda, just let me know! Shoot me a message saying you're interested, and I'll send you my very own Prakriti questionnaire to fill out. From there, we can get the ball rolling and start unlocking those Ayurvedic secrets together.

Oh, and before I forget—while the newsletter is free, I do offer personalized Prakriti consultations for a small fee of $10. If you're keen to dive even deeper into understanding your unique constitution and how it can guide your path to well-being, shoot me an email. And don't worry about the payment hassle—we can sort it all out seamlessly through a pledge on Substack.

As I’ve been telling all my friends and family, prices will go up substantially as soon as I get that Ayurvedic Health Counselor Certificate.

I hope you will take advantage of this offer. Or simply read and share this newsletter with anyone you think may be interested in what I write about.

The first step to anything Ayurvedic is figuring out that unique blueprint we were all born with!