DIPLOMA in Ayurvedic Lifestyle Nutrition Consultant Course Module

DIPLOMA in Ayurvedic Lifestyle & Nutrition Consultant Course Module 2 19 th-20 th October 2019

The. Tridosha Concept The Concept

Dosha The human body is composed of three fundamental elements or categories: • dosha (subtle energies or elements) • dhatus (tissue) • malas (waste)

Dosha • The subtle elements are called doshas (lit. Faults) • The doshas are composed of all five mahabhutas (elements), but one or the other of the mahabhutas is predominant

Dosha and Mahabuta

What determines constitution? • Janma = genes of both parents • Kala = time and place of conception • Desha = planetary position at time of conception • Karma = past life merits

Seven types of constitution 1. Vata 2. Pitta 3. Kapha 4. Vata-Pitta 5. Pitta-Kapha 6. Vata-Kapha 7. Vata-Pitta-Kapha • Among these seven general types, there are innumerable subtle variations that depend upon the percentage of vatapitta-kapha elements in the constitution

What causes changes in prakruti (constitution)? • • • Age / life cycle Geographical location Climate Diet Lifestyle

Vata dosha

Vata “Va gathi gandha yo” • Gathi = movement • Gandha = sensation Vata dosha is the most prominent of the three dosha • It has the ability to move the other two dosha when they are imbalanced • Every disease is caused by vata dosha

Physical functions governed by Vata • • subtle changes in metabolism breathing blinking of the eyelids movements in the muscles and tissues pulsations in the heart all expansion and contraction movements of cytoplasm, cell membranes and movement of single impulses in nerve cells

Seats of Vata • • the large intestine pelvis bones skin ears thighs excess vata tends to accumulate in these areas

Tridosha and the life cycle Childhood • the kapha elements are predominant • time of greatest physical growth Adulthood • the element of pitta are most apparent • body is mature and stable Old age • vata elements are the most in evidence • body begins to deteriorate

Constitution chart (in course notes) • • General appearance Physiological make-up Mental aspect Emotional state

Prakruti & Vikurti • Prakruti or normality of doshas is not stable and under goes change • vrddhi (increase) or • ksaya/ksina (decrease) • kopha (vitiation/impairment)

Great abnormality = Roga (disease) • Ahara = food • Viharana = lifestyle • Oushada = medicine Any of the above can cause disease when used: • Heena - inadequately • Athi - excessively • Mitya - incorrectly

Seats of the Dosha Hence the broad demarcation or seats of the doshas: • area below the umbilicus = the seat of vata • areas around the umbilicus = the seat of pitta • area above the umbilicus = the seat of kapha Even in these areas particular organs are enumerated as visista sthana (special seats) for each dosha

Vata Astanga Hrydayam Vol. 1

Vata Guna (attributes) • • dry light cold rough subtle mobile clear

Vata sites Generally the sites of vata are in • the colon • hips • ears • bones • skin The primary site is the colon

Comparison with Pitta and Kapha sites Generally the sites of Pitta are: small intestine, digestive fire, digestive acid, sweat, sebaceous gland, blood, lymph, eyes The primary site is the stomach Generally the sites of Kapha are: chest, lungs, throat, head, sinus, nasal passage, mouth, tongue, saliva, fatty tissue The primary site is the chest

Vata Kriya (functions of Vata) • • • Conception (bonding of ovum and sperm) Implantation Growth of foetus Inhalation & exhalation Creation of seven tissues (dhatu) Hearing Touch / touch sensation Stimulation of digestive fire Control of mental activities Stimulation and function of nervous system

Vata imbalances (examples) Aggravated Vata anxiety, insomnia, dry skin/eczema, weight loss Alleviated (or reduced) Vata chronic fatigue/ ME, excessive sleep, lethargy, depression Vitiated (or impaired/corrupted) Vata paralysis, motor neuron disease, dementia, bloating

Causes of Vata imbalances NB. ‘drug’ refers to foods (as food is considered a drug / medicine in Ayurveda) Ø Habitual use of drugs having identical properties to Vata dosha such as dry, cold, light or rough foods Ø Inadequate quantities of food; fasting; excessive weight loss Ø Excessive exercise (aerobic) Ø Inadequate sleep; not sleeping at night and sleeping during the day Ø Incorrect habits such as improper eating and sleeping time Ø Excessive talking and laughing; keeping bad company

Causes of Vata imbalances (hidden verse) cont. ØBlood letting ØProlonged exposure to loud music or loud sounds ØSuppression of natural urges such as hunger, thirst, urination, elimination, yawning, burping, flatulence ØAccidents, obstruction of marma points ØHorse riding ØExcessive fast travel (trains, planes and automobiles!)

Causes of Vata imbalances (hidden verse) cont. ØExcessive exposure to the sun ØExcessive meditation; isolation ØExposure to cold and windy conditions ØExcessive thinking; excessive sadness ØExcessive concentration; excessive exposure to electronic media (not in the original text!)

Symptoms of Vata imbalance § Hyperactivity § Involuntary body tremors § Involuntary rapid muscle movements such as rapid blinking § Cramps § Palpitations § Fatigue § Chills; poor circulation § Excessive talking; talking too fast

Symptoms of Vata imbalance cont. § § § § Feeling suffocated Tinnitus Bloating; fluid retention Miscarriage; infertility; light periods or loss of periods Lack of sperm Weak legs, dizziness Runny nose Stomach noises; difficulty in swallowing; dryness of throat; constipation

Treatment of Vata imbalances § Oleation (internal and external) - application and massage using warm oils § Sudation – mild sweating through exposure to sunlight or steam bath § Mild purification therapies (emesis and purgation – drinking ghee with medication or ingestion of triphala - moisturise the body) § Ingestion of foods which are sweet, sour and salty (mashed potato, broths, soups, butter, milk, creamy foods)

Treatment of Vata imbalances cont. § Warm oil bath (applying oil to the body before bathing) § Wrapping the body with clothes to encourage sweat § Threatening (stimulating treatments such as sudden loud noises or use of mantra) § Wine or tonics prepared from cornflour and jaggery (such as arishta for the body to warm up)

Treatment of Vata imbalances cont. § Oil based enema § Drugs of hot potency (in order to induce heat such as ginger or black pepper) § Comfortable activities such as singing, listening to light music, walks, parks, children, non-competitive activities

Pancha vata-pitta-kapha

Pancha Vata The five types of Vata

The Five types of Vata • • • Udana Vata Prana Vata Samana Vata Vyana Vata Apana Vata

The seats of the Pancha Vata • Udana Vata – throat • Prana Vata – heart • Samana Vata – stomach and small intestine • Apana Vata – large intestine and rectum • Vyana Vata - entire body (head, trunk and extremities)

Prana vata • forward or primary air or nervous force • centred in the head or brain • moves downward to the chest and throat • supports the mind, heart, sense organs and intelligence • governs inhalation, swallowing and ingestion, expectoration, sneezing, belching, swallowing food.

Udana Vata • upward or outward moving air • centred in the chest and throat • moves upward • governs exhalation and speech, initiation of speech, effort, enthusiasm, strength (capacity of work), colour (complexion) and memory (awareness).

Vyana Vata • centred in the heart • governs the circulatory system • mainly outward actions • attends to functions such as upwards and downward movements of the limbs, blinking, blood circulation throughout the body, all activities concerned with the body, main force in the body • Imbalanced – high or low blood pressure, heart attack, agina

Samana Vata • centred in the gut • the nervous force behind the digestive system • withholds the food in the alimentary tract, helps digestion, assimilation and absorption of the food, separates nutrition and waste and eliminates • Imbalanced = bloating, indigestion, stomach pain, cramps, burping

Apana Vata • downward moving • centred in the colon pelvic and rectum • moves downward to the waist, bladder, genitals, thighs • governs downward moving motions of elimination, urination and menstruation, orgasm and ovulation and birth • Imbalanced – menstrual problems, urinary tract problems, fertility problems, constipation, lack of libido, low sperm count

Pancha Vata Imbalance (summary) Prana – shallow breathing, exhaustion, dementia, anorexia Vyana – palpitations, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, poor circulation, Raynaud’s disease, sadness, fear, anxiety, heart attack, angina Udana – dry mouth, difficulty to swallow and speak, loss of voice Samana – indigestion, bloating, trapped wind, malnutrition, lack of appetite, feeling full, lethargy, nausea Apana – loss of periods, urinary infections, constipation, loss of libido, miscarriages, infertility