Ayurveda, which translates to “science of longevity,” has its origins in the culture of ancient India.  The primary focus of Ayurvedic Medicine is on maintaining a balanced relationship with the world in which we live. 

According to Ayurveda, everything in the universe is made up of combinations of 5 elements.  These five elements are to be understood in a material sense as well as a subtle sense:

Space (Akasha):  This is the most subtle of the 5 elements; it is everywhere and touches everything.  In the mind, it is the vessel that receives all impressions; in the heart it accepts love.  Space is receptivity and non-resistance to what is true.

Air (Vayu):  This is the transparent, rarefied, kinetic force that sets the universe in motion.  Air moves the blood through the vessels, wastes from the body, and thoughts through the mind.  It also moves the birds to warmer climates in winter, and moves the planets around their suns.

Fire (Tejas):  Fire is the universal force in nature that produces heat and radiates light.  It is our passion to pursue despite obstacles and delays; it is what burns away the cloak of ignorance and allows the truth to shine with brilliance.  Fire removes doubt from the mother-substance of the human heart and replaces it with joy.

Water (Apa):  Water comprises the cohesive aspects of reality that flow into and hold things together – perfectly and simply witnessed in the ubiquitous H2O molecule.  The other elements were also intended by the ancients to communicate the essential universal principle inherent in a particular element. 

Earth (Prithvi): This is the terrain of our planet, the iron in our red blood cells and spleen.  It also represents the quality of steadfastness of mind, strength of moral fiber, one’s slow and quiet undeterred advancement towards a goal, and the resistance to the actions of others.  

The 5 elements can be seen to exist within all aspects of the material universe.  When they enter into the biology of a living organism, such as a human being, they acquire a biological form.  This means that the 5 elements are coded into 3 biological forces which govern all life processes.  These 3 forces are known as the 3 doshas.  The three doshas regulate every physiological and psychological process in the living organism.  The interplay among them determines the qualities and conditions of the individual.  A harmonious state of the 3 doshas creates balance and health.  An imbalance, which might be an excess or deficiency, manifests as a sign or symptom of disease. 

Following is a brief description of each of the doshas:

Vata  (Space and Air):  The term vata means “that which moves things.”  It is composed of the elements space and air – the lightest and subtlest of the five elements.  It is considered in some ways to be the most influential of the 3 doshas because it is the moving force behind the other two.  Vata is responsible for all movements in the mind and body: the movement of air in and out of the lungs, the flow of blood through the circulatory system, nutrients through the alimentary tract, and thoughts through the mind.  Vata promotes a healthy balance between thought and emotion, and gives rise to creativity, activity and clear comprehension.

Pitta  (Fire and Water):  Pitta is often regarded as the “fire” within the body. One may think of it as the energy stored in the chemical bonds of all the organic substances which make up our body.  It is encoded in our hormones, enzymes, organic acids and neurotransmitters.  Pitta also carries the meaning of “that which digests” and is associated with the body’s digestive function, including all chemical and metabolic transformations, and processes that promote heat.  Pitta governs our ability to digest ideas and impressions, and to therefore perceive the true nature of reality.

Kapha  (Water and Earth):  The term kapha means “that which holds things together.”  It is the force that provides structure to everything, from an individual atom or cell, to the sturdy musculoskeletal frame.  It gives strength, stability and endurance – both physical and psychological – and promotes human emotions and capacities such as love, compassion, empathy, understanding, forgiveness, loyalty and patience.  One very important function of kapha in the human body is governing immunity and resistance against disease.  Its energy promotes self-healing and the ongoing processes of self-repair, of which we are largely unaware.  Whereas the effects of vata and pitta become active in the body, Kapha acts to limit and control these two forces, and prevent their excessive activity.

One may think of these doshas as fundamental biological energies that regulate all the life processes of an individual.  All 3 doshas function within each of us.  However, we each have them in unique proportions.  Consequently, one person might be predominately a vata type person, with lesser aspects of pitta or kapha.  Or, another person might be primarily kapha, with lesser influence from vata or pitta.

Ayurvedic health practices deal with ten different basic body types keeping in mind the relationship between the elements and the doshas.

Ayurvedic Nutrition

Since every living plant also consists of the 5 elements, every vegetable, fruit, herb, seed, nut and so on has qualities related to the 3 doshas.  As indicated earlier, the primary focus of Ayurveda is on maintaining the appropriate balance in relationship to the universe in which we live.  This includes a consideration of natural cycles such as the 4 seasons, the moon phases and, of course, the daily cycles of night and day.  In light of this, dietary planning for each individual takes into account the natural cycles as well as which of the ten basic body types most closely matches the person’s unique nature. 

The book, Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation, provides detailed information on how to determine your own unique body type, and also includes comprehensive meal planning and health enhancing guidelines for each of the basic body types. 

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[This is an excerpt from the book SIMPLE STEPS TO TOTAL HEALTH by Andreas Moritz and John Hornecker, available on http://www.ener-chi.com/book.htm]