Ayurveda & Dosha Flashcards
1) Discuss the significance of a Yogic diet in the modern world and how do you feel this knowledge may change your approach to your diet and lifestyle?
Dosha is the constitution, make up of a person in terms of elements: Earth- Prithvi/Bhumi Water- Jala Fire- Agni Air- Pavana/ Vayu Space- Ether- Akasa
Hale Pule website quiz- I am: • Pitta 53% • Vata 38% • Kapha 9%
Ayurveda is sister science to Yoga
back as far as 5000BC.
Ancient science is based on the idea that body and mind work together with the ability to self-heal and prevent disease. Each person’s Dohsa is related to the elements that dominate that individual’s constitution.
“We are born with our own individual balance of the five elements, and when we stay true to this balance we are in health, when our elements go out of balance then there is dis-ease. Restoration of balance will bring us back to health
Required to maintain our health rather than to only treat us when we are already sick and in a “dis-ease” state.
Ayurvedic Diet= A growing body of evidence point toward the bidirectional gut microbiota-brain axis playing a role in mental health
Over time but I have reduced sugar, processed foods, salt, caffeine and alcohol.
I recently became aware of my tendency to overload myself due to feelings of inadequacy so this sounds more relevant now that I am aware of my Pitta Dosha.
I’ll support the Vata by increasing calming foods in my diet and I’ll stick with my routine for sleep, eating and work times.
I’ll support the Kapha by continuing with my low sugar intake and I’ll continue to move my body with regular exercise and Yogasana.
Some of this information seemed so accurate because it is how I instinctually live already: early to bed, low sugar, and regular exercise.
2) Discuss your emotional and psychological relationship with food and how does this impact on your spiritual practise?
Growing up I lived in a house where there wasn’t enough food, now that I’m a mum myself, always in the kitchen, but I am very adventurous with my tastes and love to try new things.
Over recent years the information about gut health effecting mental health has come to the fore and I have paid a lot of attention to this because I had bouts of depression since I was a teenager. When I’m emotionally low I do try to nourish my body by making healthy choices to support my gut.
I believe that 80/20 or even 90/10 is a good ratio for balance with regards to making “good” choices. This takes the pressure off the need to be ‘perfect’ in diet.
I have learnt through periods of weight gain in my life, that I must be sensible and eat a clean diet most of the time to support my gut health. when I eat a diet that suits my needs, I do feel lighter emotionally, mentally, and physically. I suffer from less inflammation; less constipation and I sleep better. My energy is also higher when I eat more consciously. Every now and then I make a few bad choices and it reminds me how I need to get back on track to feel better.
In relation to my spiritual practice Yogasana is more easeful and flowing when I am consciously eating a clean diet. This also translates well into meditation when I have a clear head and less brain fog. I am less likely to enjoy sitting in mediation and asana practice with a hangover, constipation, or a stomach full of caffeine and sugar.
Another aspect of my spiritual practice that I feel the need to address now is the fact that I still eat meat. I speak of this in relation to Ahimsa- non-violence.
Shakti the divine energy, that runs through all living things and I’m starting to feel guilty when I eat meat.
I have also been thinking of food differently. Ayurveda says that the body can heal itself if we eat the right food and treat our body in a certain way. I believe this kind of knowledge and understanding brings me deeper into my spiritual practice.
3) How could you integrate this knowledge with the yoga student interested in changing their diet and lifestyle?
I would direct a student to take the Dosha questionnaire on the Hale Pule website,
Insight into their Dosha and how to support it.
Light reading on the topic of Ayurveda and Dosha.
When you understand your Dosha, it can give us a sense of reassurance around our nature and knowing what we need in our lives.
Knowing ones Dosha might help in choosing what Practice: gentle or power flow, whether they need more heating practices or more cooling to balance their Dosha.
Explain that Ayurveda is said to be the sister science to support the Yogic lifestyle and is ancient knowledge dating back 5000BC.
Explaining that Dinacharya is a beautiful way of acknowledging our body as a temple;
In Ayurveda, the primary diet in yoga is to not only established to maintain health on a physical level but also to keep the mind clear
Also using the way, we prepare and consume our food is an opportunity for Sadhana.
I love the concept that when we die, Ayurveda says that our elements go back into the world around us, to be part of everything again. As if we are always connected and part of everything.
Basics of Ayurveda & Dosha
Dosha = constitution/ make up of a person in terms of elements: Earth- Prithvi/Bhumi Water- Jala Fire- Agni Air- Pavana/ Vayu Space- Ether- Akasa
Hale Pule website quiz- I am: • Pitta 53% • Vata 38% • Kapha 9%
Ayurveda is sister science to Yoga- ancient practices of Dinacharya + Yoga, lifestyle + Diet.
Dates back as far as 5000BC.
