Indian Ayurveda and Yoga

An important point Indian Ayurveda and Yoga considers is how any particular lifestyles and diets suit the individual's particular constitution and circumstances.



Ayurveda and Yoga, the classic systems of Indian medicine and health, classify people, as well as food into three categories according to their nature. These three categories are called doshas in Ayurveda and are Pitta (hot and oily), Vata (dry and light) and Kapha (cold and moist). In Yoga they are classified as Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic.



Sattva implies purity, Rajas signifies activity, passion, the process of change and Tamas represents darkness and inertia.

According to Ayurveda, a balanced vata would seek a long-term practice, one that stresses relaxation and spiritual life. An unbalanced vata tends to leap from one diet to another, never committing oneself to any one for long enough to see the benefits of it.

A balanced pitta normally seeks a diet and lifestyle that provides a channel for enthusiasm, one that has variety and is stimulating. On the other hand an unbalanced pitta would practice one diet or lifestyle intensely before switching to something else.

Normally, a balanced kapha seeks a diet and lifestyle that appeals to their sensitive and devotional nature.



At the same time it also challenges their desire for physical fitness. Then again, an unbalanced kapha would attend Yoga class when they wish to lose weight and avoid it when they became depressed.

In Yoga, Sattvic diet is the purest, most suitable for a Yoga practitioner as it nourishes the body and maintains a peaceful state of mind. Moreover, a Sattvic diet calms and purifies the mind, enabling it to function at peak potential.
A Rajasic diet is extremely hot, bitter, sour, dry, or salty and are said to destroy the mind-body equilibrium. Too much of a Rajasic diet, tends to over stimulate the body and excite passions, making the mind restless.

A Rajasic diet is extremely hot, bitter, sour, dry, or salty and are said to destroy the mind-body equilibrium. Too much of a Rajasic diet, tends to over stimulate the body and excite passions, making the mind restless.

A Tamasic diet is said to help neither the mind nor the body. It results in withdrawal of Prana, or energy, powers of reasoning getting clouded and a sense of inertia setting in. above all, the body's resistance to disease is lost and the mind is filled with dark emotions like greed and anger.

All of us have three doshas and three gunas present in our bodies. However, it is through understanding which dosha or guna (or in some cases two gunas or doshas) dominates, that we are able to understand better how to take care of ourselves, what type of lifestyle suits us better and how we can lead a healthier more satisfying life. This includes foods to avoid and foods to enjoy, as well as food as medicine for specific complaints. The first step is to determine one’s constitution. Thereafter diet and lifestyle advice are given together with a specific lifestyle program.