Ayurveda is a way of life, an art of living in harmony with the laws of the universe so that the body, mind and spirit are always in a state of well-being. To maintain these healthy states, one must have an awareness of the likely origins of illnesses; take the necessary steps to adapt to the those causes over which you have no control e.g. the season; and work to restore that internal harmony to regain that state of well-being.
According to the ayurvedic system, there are seven body types which are dictated by the differing combinations of the doshas. The differing combinations give rise to the various mental and physiological make-up of individuals. It is best to consult an ayurvedic practitioner to determine one’s constitution. Several factors can cause an imbalance in the doshas, which in turn influence one’s frame of mind and state of health. These factors include: diet, exercise, emotions, stress and seasons.
The diet and good nourishment play an important role in an individual’s well-being. The ayurvedic diet goes beyond the mere nutritional content. It factors in preparation of foods, the right combinations of ingredients to avoid the creation of toxins in the body and what types of food are suitable to the constitution of an individual as different food types are responsible for altering any of the three doshas. Therefore, the correct intake of food types and their quantities will restore balance in the body.
When learning about the relationship between food and a body’s constitution and how it affects that individual, it is vital to consider the food’s qualities i.e. if it is a cooling or heat inducing food and whether it is easy or difficult to digest.
Ayurveda places great emphasis on the knowledge that food not only nourishes the physical body, but that it also has an effect on consciousness. Similar to the concept of the three doshas that influence the physical make-up, there are three elements that govern one’s mental constitution. These are referred to as gunas, which are sattva, rajas and tamas.
Therefore, foods can also be regarded as being sattvic, rajasic or tamasic. Sattvic food is a healthy food that is easy to digest; rajasic foods are hot, spicy and addictive, and are known to increase agitation; tamasic food is heavy and includes red meat. Eaten in moderation, tamasic food is actually beneficial to the body.
For an insight into the effect of various types of food, stay tuned.
