What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, often called the "science of life," is an ancient system of holistic healing that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Rooted in nature and balance, Ayurveda focuses on promoting health and well-being by harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit. But what exactly is Ayurveda, and how can it benefit you? Let’s dive in.
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing
Ayurveda is the science of self-healing: the practice of getting to know yourself on a deeper level, following your intuition, and making choices to support your unique needs. The word Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit: where Ayur means “life” and Veda means “knowledge or science.” Ayurveda looks at the whole person—your unique body type, lifestyle, emotions, and environment—to promote long-term wellness.
Traditionally, Ayurveda is practiced before and/or with The Practice of Yoga. Ayurveda aims to preserve the health of the healthy, and bring health to those with illness. The primary goal of Ayurveda is to help us find a state of balanced health and well-being, including physical, mental, and spiritual health.
The Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
At the heart of Ayurveda is the concept of the doshas, or primary energies that govern our physical and mental characteristics. Each person has a unique combination of these energies, which influence their health, personality, and tendencies.
Vata (Air & Ether): Governs movement, creativity, and communication. The unique qualities of Vata dosha are Dry, Light (in weight, like a feather), Mobile (think windy), Cold, Rough, Clear, and Subtle. When balanced, Vata types are energetic and imaginative. When imbalanced, Vata types may experience anxiety, dryness, and digestive issues.
Pitta (Fire & Water): Governs digestion, metabolism, and intellect. The unique qualities of Pitta dosha are Hot, Sharp, Penetrating, Light, Slightly Oily, Odorous, Liquid, and Spreading. When balanced, Pitta types are passionate and goal-oriented. When imbalanced, Pitta types may experience irritability, inflammation, and overheating.
Kapha (Earth & Water): Governs stability, strength, and nourishment. The unique qualities of Kapha dosha are Heavy, Dull, Slow, Oily, Cool (as in temperature), Dense, Gross (as opposed to subtle), Smooth, Stable, Soft, and Liquid. When balanced, Kapha types are calm, loving, and grounded. When imbalanced, Kapha types may experience sluggishness, weight gain, and resistance to change.
How Ayurveda Promotes Health
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, Ayurveda tailors wellness practices to each individual's unique constitution. Ayurveda operates on the premise of “Like increases like; Opposites bring balance.” To bring balance, Ayurveda looks at the specific qualities that are out of balance and looks to introduce or increase the opposite quality. For example, if a person is experiencing dryness in the body, Ayurveda may recommend increasing water intake, adding oil in the diet or on the skin, and enjoying baths or a steam room.
Ayurveda is not a replacement for other forms of healthcare–it is a holistic approach that integrates with other healthcare practices to support overall health and wellness. Ayurvedic recommendations to create and sustain health include:
1. Daily Routines
Establishing a balanced daily routine—such as waking up early, having a morning ritual, and eating meals at consistent times—helps maintain harmony within the body and mind. Daily routines, especially morning routines, bring consistency to our daily lives and invite resiliency when times get tough.
2. Seasonal Routines
Shifting routines with the seasons helps maintain harmony with nature - an integral piece of Ayurveda. The doshas–Vata, Pitta, and Kapha–govern our physical and mental bodies, and they govern the world around us. In Wisconsin, the seasons according to Ayurveda generally look like:
Kapha Season = Late Winter to Spring (approximately February to May)
Pitta Season = Summer to Early Fall (approximately June to September)
Vata Season = Late Fall to Early Winter (approximately October to January)
3. Diet & Nutrition
Ayurveda emphasizes eating according to your dosha and/or according to the season to maintain balance. A few examples include:
Warm, grounding foods for Vata types or during Vata season
Cooling, hydrating meals for Pitta types or during Pitta season
Light, spicy foods for Kapha types or during Kapha season
Outside of food choices, when and how you eat is of utmost importance in Ayurveda. Eating with a calm, grateful, and joyful mindset, as well as eating at optimal times throughout the day is just as important as what types of foods you choose to consume.
4. Yoga & Meditation
Since Ayurveda and yoga go hand in hand, mindful movement and breathwork are essential for maintaining balance. Different doshas benefit from different styles of yoga:
Vata types need grounding practices like Yin Yoga and smooth Flowing practices
Pitta types benefit from cooling, slow-paced flows
Kapha types benefit from invigorating and heat building practices
5. Herbal Remedies & Natural Healing
Ayurvedic medicine relies on herbs, oils, and natural therapies to support healing. Turmeric, ashwagandha, and triphala are just a few commonly used Ayurvedic herbs. Common household herbs and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and cumin are also frequently used in Ayurveda. Herbal remedies, especially for digestion, are often steeped as tea.
6. Detoxification & Cleansing
Simple daily detox habits, such as drinking warm water with lemon or tongue scraping, can support digestion and well-being. Practices like seasonal food cleanses–traditionall practiced in Early Fall and in Spring–help clear toxins from the body and restore balance. Panchakarma—a traditional Ayurvedic detox program—is considered the pinnacle of resetting and rejuvenating the body and mind.
Why Ayurveda Matters Today
In our fast-paced modern world, stress, poor diet, and environmental toxins often lead to imbalance and disease. Ayurveda provides a natural, time-tested approach to wellness that helps us reconnect with our body’s innate wisdom. Whether you’re looking to improve digestion, boost energy, or reduce stress, Ayurveda offers practical tools to create a healthier, more balanced life.
Ayurveda with Moonflower
Discover your unique dosha constitution and learn ways to support your health and wellbeing: Schedule an Initial Ayurvedic Health Consultation.
Experience dosha-balancing yoga: Book a Yoga Class.
Dosha-balancing yoga classes offered at Moonflower include:
NOURISH [Vata Balancing]
A gentle yoga class, NOURISH incorporates yin poses, gentle low-to-the-ground flowing movements, standing poses, and a restorative savasana (final rest pose). This class aims to improve mobility and circulation, calm the nervous system, and foster mindfulness.
CONNECT [Pitta Balancing]
A slower paced flow class, CONNECT aims to calm the mind and create greater awareness of the physical body. CONNECT encourages mindful movement and builds resilience through slow flowing sequences, balancing poses, and breathwork.
INSPIRE [Kapha Balancing]
A faster-paced vinyasa flow class, INSPIRE challenges the body and mind through up-tempo sun salutations, flowing sequences, held poses, and inversions. This class builds strength and heat, and encourages students to get out of their comfort zone.
UNWIND + RESTORE [Vata Balancing and Pitta Balancing]
A mashup of meditative practices, UNWIND + RESTORE brings together two well-loved styles of yoga for a nurturing and grounding practice. UNWIND + RESTORE aims to improve flexibility, increase circulation, release tension, and calm the nervous system. Props are utilized throughout this class to target specific areas during yin poses and to support deep relaxation and wellbeing during restorative poses.
For more information, Book a Free Discovery Call or email info@moonflowerbk.com.