For a long time, Ayurveda has been proposing solutions to establish a perfect balance between the mind, the soul, the body and the senses. This traditional Indian medicine proposes a so-called "holistic" approach, which means that it considers the individual in his or her entirety on the physical, psychological and emotional levels. Originating in India, it is also practiced in Nepal and Sri Lanka and has gradually spread throughout the world, particularly in Western countries.
The five major elements forming the doshas
According to Ayurveda, the five great elements of ether or space, air, fire, water and earth constitute the whole of material creation. In different proportions, they are found within each individual. Associated two by two, these 5 elements create energies called vital and that we call "doshas". The latter will have the qualities of the great elements that constitute them.
To regain the balance of your Ayurvedic constitution, it is possible to use natural methods such as meditation, breathing, diet or herbal medicine.
Dosha, what does that mean?
In Sanskrit, dosha literally means that which is in balance. They are 3 and help determine the physical, psychological and emotional characteristics of a person:
- Vâta (Ether and Air) : responsible for eliminations, movements, emotions (nervousness, insecurity, anxiety...);
- Pitta (Fire and Water): responsible for assimilation, courage, body temperature, metabolism, digestion... ;
- Kâpha (Earth and Water): responsible for the resistance and stability of the body, nutrition, hydration, emotional and physical stability...
The 3 doshas that are in each of us are in proportions that are specific to each individual, this is what is called the Ayurvedic constitution. Most often, this constitution is mixed, that is to say that there is a dominant dosha, another one which is important and a last one which is minor. To feel good in your body, it is essential to find the balance.
Focus on Prakriti and Vikriti
The Ayurvedic constitution of a person is also called Prakriti which means state of balance. To stay healthy, it is important to maintain this base of functioning at the physical and psychological level. Prakriti is the primary nature or biological constitution of an individual. This birth constitution guides one's functioning at all levels.
Vikriti is the state of imbalance caused by various factors such as emotions, climate, poor diet, chemicals... which increases one or more doshas and leads to the loss of balance of the birth constitution, thus increasing the risk of unwellness and disease.
The link between Prakriti and Vikriti
The basis of Ayurveda is therefore based on a balance and harmony to be achieved in order to find well-being and good health. Prakriti is this balance but once it is out of balance Vikriti appears.
However, it is not recommended to wait for an imbalance to start adopting lifestyle practices adapted to one's Ayurvedic profile. Knowing one's Prakriti means getting to know oneself and adopting lifestyle habits, dietary practices or even an Ayurvedic care routine adapted to one's doshic balance to avoid the appearance of Vikriti and by extension of different disorders or diseases. The causes of Vikriti are numerous: stress, change of season, climate, non-adapted diet, negative emotions, shocks...
To remedy this imbalance, it is important to identify the change that caused it. Ayurvedic therapists are able to determine your Prakriti and Vikriti. To do this, they observe the person, learn their history, learn about their emotional state, discover their rhythm of life... Thanks to this diagnosis, the Ayurvedic practitioner can then propose an adapted protocol to find the doshic balance.
It is important to understand that each person is different psychologically, physically and emotionally. Because of this dissimilarity, it is sometimes difficult to understand each other. Even if the Ayurvedic practitioner is the most adapted to define your Prakriti, there are also tests, which allow you to partially evaluate your Ayurvedic profile. However, it is important to answer them calmly, rested, concentrated, taking a step back to evaluate yourself accurately. Doing it with a close person can help to bring more impartiality to this Ayurvedic evaluation.
Knowing and respecting one's Ayurvedic birth constitution is essential to remain in the state of well-being and balance advocated by Ayurveda.
