Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient science of healthy living, compiled and honed over thousands of years, making it the most time-tested, comprehensive and universal framework to understand health patterns and personalize healthcare. It views the universe (macrocosm) and the human body (microcosm) as interconnected and made of the same fundamental building blocks.
The 5 Elements & The 3 Doshas 
Every living being is a unique masterpiece made of the five elements of nature:
Earth 
Water 
Fire 
Air 
Ether/Space 
These 5 elements of nature constitute the 3 doshas in the body.Their varying proportions create your unique Dosha or metabolic constitution:
Earth + Water = KAPHA (Stability, Structure, Strength)- Fire + Water = PITTA (Transformation, Metabolism, Intelligence)
Air + Ether = VATA (Movement, Communication, Creativity)
It largely explains the differences in our physical built, mental abilities, choices of food and activity, natural inclinations, climate preferences, relationship compatibility, responses and much more.
One can very easily understand the significance of the DOSHAS by correlating it with qualities of the 5 elements of nature. Our various physical and mental attributes can be explained by the qualities of dominant doshas and 3-dosha composition. Our daily experiences such as physical sensations, biological urges, thoughts and emotions are reliable indicators of our dosha balance and imbalances. Disease/illness occur when these imbalances become prolonged or severe. Correcting these imbalances will help to treat the illness.
The Path to Healing
- Understand: We begin by analysing your unique metabolic/tridosha constitution and current dosha imbalances.
The analysis requires a physical examination and questionnaire to understand past and present history. The dosha framework provides insight into our individual differences in life journey, lifestyle choices, personalized remedies and response to treatment.
2.Recognise: We pinpoint the lifestyle factors causing “low fire” (poor digestion) or Dosha disruption. This is possible through a detailed chronological history sought by asking the right questions and physical examination. When combined with the principles and knowledge of Ayurveda, it helps us understand ourselves and guides our awareness to identify what is affecting our wellbeing.
3. Restore: We optimize the 8 Lifestyle Pillars – Sleep, nutrition, physical activity, sunshine, hydration, breathing, mental health and positive relationships to achieve dosha balance. This rekindles healthy digestion, eliminates pathology and restores your physiology to its natural, healthy, glowing state.
Why I Practice Ayurveda?
Ayurveda offers a treasure trove of personalized and practical knowledge. It provides extensive literature on the physical properties, nutritional and metabolic effects of many plants, meats and dairy with reference to their therapeutic significance in illnesses. It also addresses environmental influences on health by emphasizing the healing potential of daily routines and seasonal self care practices. I am a passionate proponent of this wisdom and use it extensively in my own life and to guide my coaching & therapies.
Recommended Resources for Your Journey 
If you are curious to learn more, Practical Ayurveda is a brilliant book with beautiful illustrations for starters.
Easy Ayurveda is a great website to find precise information on foods.
For a more advanced study one can refer to standard books such as Charaka Samhitha, Sushrutha Samhitha and Ashtanga Hridayam which contain the original sanskrit literature with english translation.
