ISSUE 1. VOLUME 1
WINTER 2022
a
SOHAM WELLNESS
AN INTRODUCTION TO AYURVEDA
UNDERSTANDING THE DOSHAS
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Uncover the power of this ancient wisdom.
Discover the key to unlocking your potential.
Stay tuned for more insights into this vast science.
WELCOME TO OUR FIRST ISSUE
Ayurveda 101 We want to introduce you to timeless concepts that not only serves as your personal guide to living a better life, but also gives you a deep understanding on how to effectively navigate relationships with others and your environment. Whether it be at home, work, vacation or anywhere, these principles don't change. But they will shift how you interact with people and how you see the world.
Tracy + Lexi
S O H AM Wellness
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Understanding the doshas is the key to unlocking your potential.
AYURVEDA: The science of LIFE. A complete and comprehensive system that focuses on health, wealth and overall life enrichment.
DOSHA: Sanskrit for dynamic energies, layman for connect to yourself before you wreck yourself.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOSHA IS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL.
AYURVEDA 101
This guide is based on the philosophies of
In Ayurveda, the five elements combine to
Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the traditional
form three energies or doshas:
healing and lifestyle system from India that dates back to almost 10,000 years ago.
vata dosha (ether + air) pitta dosha ( fire + water) kapha dosha (water + earth).
According to Ayurveda, there are only five elements that create ALL
The doshas play different roles in the body.
matter (including us!): ether (space), air,
We must have all three doshas in us, but
fire, water and earth. These five elements
what creates our individuality is their
build and create all of nature.
combination. None of us have an identical combination of doshas, which is what
We are a part of the great nature and
makes us insanely cool and unique.
respond in good health when we are in sync with nature (and ourselves) and
Some people will have one dosha that is
respond in ill health if we are out of sync
prominent, some people will have two.
with nature (and ourselves).
Some may even find all three equal!
If you look around, you will see the doshas
The next few pages will briefly give an
at play everywhere. And when you start to
overview of each dosha and its qualities.
understand the fundamental nature of the these energies, you will see how they
You will likely start to see how each dosha
represent in other people as well.
shows up in your life and maybe even notice that you are more dominant in one
Our goal here is to help you appreciate
or two. That's normal.
and balance your own constitution while gaining insight on how you can effectively
You will start to see your tendencies and
relate to the other energies around you.
how they relate to the doshas and you can create habits around balancing your
Ayurveda is a very systemized science. We
lifestyle choices to maintain alignment with
will keep it simple and digestible so you
your born energy, thus avoiding conflict
can apply it right away.
and disease.
Understanding your dosha is like being handed a manual on how to live an optimal life.
- VATA LIVELY ENTHUSIASTIC QUICK TO LEARN NETWORKER SPONTANEOUS ACTIONABLE PERSONABLE RESOURCEFUL
ELEMENTS: SPACE & AIR SEASON: FALL THRU EARLY WINTER NATURE: WIND QUALITIES: DRY, COLD, LIGHT, ROUGH, MOBILE, SUBTLE LOCATIONS: COLON, HEART, NERVOUS SYSTEM, BONES, EARS
- VATA Vata is subtle, but is a major influencer in how everything in the body flows. Vata can move too fast, or too slow, or make things go the wrong way. When vata moves at optimal speed, we are creative, productive, expressive, warm, and flexible. Vata fuels our ability to think on our feet, work at a fast pace, inspire and lift others. If vata energy gets too high it can cause
Vata is one of three doshas (energies) in Ayurvedic medicine. Vata’s elemental makeup consists of air and ether. The common translation of vata is “that which moves things.” Vata is often referred to as the vayu (wind) in the body, and it is the primary motivating force of the doshas— without it, the other doshas are unable to move.
imbalances like panic, worry, racing mind, dry skin, consipation, bloating, poor circulation, memory loss, bloating, pain, stiff muscles, brittle bones, premenstrual problems...the list is actually quite long because vata has the most imbalances of all the doshas. It is involved in everything!
Vata controls movements in the body, such as blood flow, elimination and breath. It is seen as the primary dosha since kapha and pitta are not able to move without it. Vata is referred to as the “king” of the doshas because it is responsible for every bodily movement including heart beat, blood flow, breathing, pooping, sneezing, birthing, dancing...just to name a few.
VATA is quicker than lightning, more creative than a magician and moves like the wind.
- PITTA ORDERLY FOCUSED AMBITIOUS CONFIDENT COMPETITIVE SKILLED PROFICIENT MOTIVATOR
ELEMENTS: FIRE & WATER SEASON: SUMMER NATURE: SUN QUALITIES: HOT, SHARP, PENETRATING, SOUR, LIQUID LOCATIONS: SMALL INTESTINES, EYES
- PITTA Out-of-balance pittas can be shorttempered and argumentative. Pittas can easily become heated and overstressed. Mental digestion, sound judgment, and discernment are functions of balanced pitta. Our ability to clearly perceive what the body senses (sees, hears, smells, etc.) is governed by pitta. When in balance, pittas have a lustrous complexion, perfect digestion, abundant Pitta’s elemental makeup consists of fire
energy, and a strong appetite. When out of
and water. The common translation of pitta
balance, Pittas may suffer from skin rashes,
is “that which digests things.” According to
burning sensations, peptic ulcers,
Ayurveda, this is the dosha responsible for
excessive body heat, heartburn, and
our ability to mentally digest our life
indigestion.
experiences and biologically digest our food. Pitta is responsible for all of our
A balanced pitta can seem like they’re on
chemical and metabolic transformations.
top of the world.
The pitta dosha controls digestion, metabolism, and energy production. The primary function of Pitta is transformation. Those with a predominance of the pitta principle have a fiery nature that manifests in both body and mind. Pittas have a powerful intellect and a strong ability to concentrate. When they’re in balance, they are good decision makers, teachers, and speakers. They are precise, sharp-witted, direct, and often outspoken.
PITTA is intense like the sun, intelligent like a scholar and powerful like a horse.
- KAPHASTABLE LOYAL COMPASSIONATE ENJOYS ROUTINE RELIABLE HIGH ENDURANCE EXCELLENT MEMORY PATIENT
ELEMENTS: WATER AND EARTH SEASON: LATE WINTER AND SPRING NATURE: MOON QUALITIES: STRUCTURE, COLD, DENSE, FLOW LOCATIONS: STOMACH AND CHEST
- KAPHA When kapha is healthy we feel calm, happy, cheerful, strong, grounded and flexible. Kapha is the strong nurturer that brings compassion and understanding to others. If kapha dosha accumulates in excess, we will notice imbalances like weight gain, obesity, lethargy, allergies, congestion, cloudy mind, water retention, cystic acne, greed, jealousy, grudge-holding and over-accumulation of material things. Because kapha is slow-moving, it takes a long Kapha’s elemental makeup consists of water and earth. The common translation of kapha is “that which binds things” or “that which holds things together.” According to ayurveda, this is the dosha responsible for the stability, lubrication, substance, and support of our physical body.
time for a kapha person to get imbalanced, but once imbalanced, it takes a long time to bring them back to balance. Kaphas are the healthiest of the three doshas because they have such a strong foundation. They are sturdy, unwavering, and endlessly loving.
Kapha supports our emotional calm, our mental and physical endurance and it allows us to feel deeply, to empathize, and to be patient and compassionate. Kapha is made of the elements water and earth. In our bodies, kapha is responsible for elasticity, fluidity, lubrication, regeneration, and holding things together. Kapha is static and does not move. Instead, it adheres until vata moves it or pitta heats it.
KAPHA is sweeter than honey, steady as a heartbeat and loves unconditionally.
THE DOSHA CLOCK Align to the natural rhythm of the day and night to increase productivity.
The rhythm of life is governed by cycles. In order to maintain health, balance and optimal cognitive function, we need live in accordance to nature’s daily cycle. We can relate biological time as a function of the three doshas in relation to chronological time. Each dosha is more active at a particular time of day and night. To help align with nature and our own innate intelligence, following dinacharya (a daily routine) is essential for establishing great health and optimizing our own biological clock.
This guide is only the beginning to
Because your constitution serves as your
understanding the vast power in your
blueprint for optimal health, understanding
doshas. Ayurveda offers many ways to
it—with the help of curiosity and self-
harness this power to bring about balance in
awareness—can be truly enlightening.
the body, success in life and harmony with nature.
The doshas are dynamic energies that constantly change in response to our
According to Ayurveda, your constitution is
actions, thoughts, emotions, the foods we
established at conception, cemented at birth,
eat, the seasons, and any other sensory
and remains constant over the course of your
inputs that feed our mind and body.
lifetime. It influences your physiology and physique, your likes and dislikes, your
When we live against our intrinsic nature,
tendencies and habits, your mental and
we support unhealthy patterns that lead to
emotional character, as well as your
physical and mental imbalances.
vulnerabilities toward imbalance and disease. When align to the fulfillment of our It is defined by the particular combination
individual nature, we naturally make
of vata, pitta and kapha that you were born
lifestyle and dietary decisions that foster
with, and it represents your body’s natural
balance within our doshas and we can
state of equilibrium.
experience true health and wealth.
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