Introduction The Timeless Knowledge of Ayurveda BASIC PRINCIPLES

Definitions of Health • Conventional modern: “Health is the absence of disease. ” • World Health Organization: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. ”

Definition of Health Traditional Ayurvedic Health is a state of perfect balance in which • All bodily functions are balanced, including digestion, tissue metabolism, and excretion • The individual is in complete harmony with Nature and natural law • Mind, senses, and self are “filled with bliss” -Sushruta Samhita

The Body’s Inner Intelligence The body has an inner intelligence that underlies all physiological structure and function (“biological memory”).

The purpose of all prevention and treatment approaches is to enliven the body's inner intelligence, to promote homeostatic and self-repair mechanisms

Examples of Homeostatic and Self-Repair Mechanisms Blood pressure regulation Blood sugar regulation (insulin secretion) Blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels Blood hormone levels: cortisol, thyroxine, estrogen, testosterone, etc. • Tissue repair: wounds, tissue remodeling • Immune system function: defense against bacteria, viruses, incipient tumors, etc. • Regulation of proper cell division: renewal of blood cells, tissue and organ cells. • •

Two Main Objectives of Ayurveda • To promote long life and health (prevention) • To cure disease and dysfunction, both mental and physical -Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 30. 26

Two Fundamentals of Individual Assessment • Identification of constitutional type or mindbody type (Prakriti) • Identification of underlying patterns of imbalance at the basis of current or future disease (Vikriti)

Approach to Assessment A specialized Ayurvedic clinical interview, physical examination and pulse diagnosis (nadi vigyan) Pulse Diagnosis nadi vigyan

Approach to Prevention and Treatment is Holistic • Mind: stress-reduction, development of consciousness • Body: diet, herbs, detoxification • Behavior: lifestyle balance, including exercise • Environment: near and distant

MEET THE THREE DOSHAS Assessment of Constitutional Type

Doshas are three: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In their balanced state, they maintain the body. When imbalanced, they afflict the body with imbalances and diseases. —Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthan, 1. 5

Significance of the Doshas • When balanced, the 3 doshas promote the proper functioning of the body’s inner intelligence (Atma) to support all homeostatic, self-repair mechanisms • When imbalanced, the 3 doshas obstruct the proper functioning of the body’s inner intelligence, thereby debilitating homeostatic, self-repair mechanisms

The Doshas: Three fundamental governing factors of the physiology -- "mind-body operators. " Vata Pitta Kapha

VATA DOSHA The fundamental principle of movement, reflecting the air or wind principle in Nature

PITTA DOSHA The fundamental principle of transformation, digestion, and metabolism, reflecting the fire principle in Nature

KAPHA DOSHA The fundamental principle of fluidity and structure, reflecting both the water and earth principles in Nature

Doshas and Gene Expression Recent studies have shown that the three basic governing principles of Ayurveda called the Doshas are correlated with specific groups of genes and physiological functions in the body.

Qualities of the Doshas Vata: Light, Quick, Moving, Cold, Dry Pitta: Hot, Sharp, Acidic, Intense Kapha: Heavy, Oily, Slow, Cold, Steady

Functions of the Doshas • Vata: Governs bodily functions concerned with movement (e. g. , circulation, heartbeat, respiration, peristalsis and elimination) • Pitta: Governs bodily functions concerned with heat, metabolism and energy production (e. g. , digestion, assimilation, hunger, thirst) • Kapha: Governs bodily functions concerned with physical structure and fluid balance (e. g. , lubrication, mucus production, tissue formation)

Balanced Vata Dosha Manifests as: • Mental Alertness • Sound sleep • Proper formation of • Enthusiasm body tissues • Creativity • Normal digestion • Strong immunity

Imbalanced Vata Dosha Manifests as: • Dryness (skin, joints, • colon) • • Delicate digestion • • Bowel irregularity • /constipation • Fatigue Tension headaches Underweight Anxiety/Insomnia Cold intolerance

Balanced Pitta Dosha Manifests as: • Normal body temperature • Strong mental concentration • Strong digestion • • Sharp intellect Lustrous complexion Good energy Contentment

Imbalanced Pitta Dosha Manifests as: • Short- temper/impatience /acid reflux • Skin conditions • Loose stools • Migraine headaches • Premature gray • Hyperacidity • Heat intolerance • Inflammatory conditions /rashes hair/balding

Balanced Kapha Dosha Manifests as: • Muscular strength • Strong immunity • Strong joints and bone structure • Good stamina • Calmness • Affectionate, generous nature

Imbalanced Kapha Dosha Manifests as: • Sinus/nasal • Excessive mucus congestion • Lethargy/dullness • Overweight/Obesity • Tendency toward • Sluggish digestion diabetes • Oily skin • Possessiveness

Constitutional Type (Mind-Body Type)

CONSTITUTIONAL TYPE (PRAKRITI) All individuals have Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in their constitutional make-up, but usually 1 or 2 of these doshas is dominant in a particular person

Kapha Pitta Vata

Personalized Medicine is a new area of medicine which identifies genetic and metabolic differences between individuals and then prescribes drugs and treatment programs based on those differences.

Vata Type • Lighter, thinner build • • Quick to grasp new information, quick to forget • • Performs activity quickly • • Tendency toward worry • • Tendency toward • dry skin Tendency toward constipation Aversion to cold weather Tendency to light and interrupted sleep Irregular hunger and digestion

Vata

Pitta Type • Moderate build • Tendency toward irritability and anger • Performs activity with medium speed • Enterprising and sharp in character • Aversion to hot weather • Prefers cold food and drinks • Sharp hunger and digestion • Tendency toward reddish hair and complexion, moles, and freckles • Medium time to grasp new information • Good public speakers • Medium memory • Cannot skip meals

Pitta

Kapha Type • Solid, heavier build • Tranquil, steady personality • Greater strength and endurance • Slow to grasp new information, slow to forget • Slow, methodical activity • Slow to become excited or irritated • Oily, smooth skin • Sleep is heavy and long • Slow digestion, mild hunger • Hair is plentiful and tends to be darker in color

Kapha

Dosha Imbalances Can Manifest as Disease (Vikriti) • Many things can disturb the natural balance of the doshas: – – Mental and emotional factors, stress Unhealthy diet Unhealthy behavior, lifestyle, routine Environmental disturbances / weather • With time, dosha imbalances may manifest as disease • The practitioner diagnoses the underlying patterns of dosha imbalance and prescribes a holistic, multi-modality program to bring the doshas back into balance and remove the causes of disease

Key Factors to be Addressed in Prevention and Treatment • Diet: general and dosha-specific (constitutional type, imbalances) • Digestion: involved in most chronic health problems • Stress: disrupts mind-body balance which is essential to health • Lifestyle imbalances: disrupt normal biological cycles and functions

DOSHA SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE Please complete the form provided and note your scores at the bottom.