The Doshas and their Subtypes Flashcards
Ayurveda further categorises each dosha into five subtypes (or subdosha), depending upon…
their function and location
The different functions of vata relate to their locations within different structures. What is this process called in Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic Bio-Morphology
Vata is classified as 5 types:
- Prana
- Udana
- Samana
- Apana
- Vyana
Prana is located in
the head and the brain
Udana is located in
the throat and diaphragm
Apana is located in
the colon
Samana is located in
the small intestine and belly button
Vyana is located in
the heart
PRANA Governing Element: Primary Sites: Functions: Direction:
PRANA Governing Element: Ether Primary Sites: Head Brain Functions: Purana: to fill the space Direction: Downward, Inward
UDANA Governing Element: Primary Sites: Functions: Direction:
UDANA Governing Element: Air Primary Sites: Diaphragm, Throat Functions: Udvahana: moves upward Direction: Upward
SAMANA Governing Element: Primary Sites: Functions: Direction:
SAMANA Governing Element: Fire Primary Sites: Small Intestine, Navel Functions: Viveka: isolation, seperation, splitting Direction: Linear
APANA Governing Element: Primary Sites: Functions: Direction:
APANA Governing Element: Earth Primary Sites: Colon, Pelevic Cavity Functions :Dharna: Holding Direction: Downward, Outward
VYANA Governing Element: Primary Sites: Functions: Direction:
VYANA Governing Element: Water Primary Sites: Heart, Whole Body Functions: Praspandanam : Pulsation, throbbing Direction: Circular, Circulation
Prana explained
All sensations are a creation of prana and there is no sensation without prana. When prana is dropped, sensations are stopped. Prana carries stimuli
Apana explained
A touch to the skin is carried to the brain by prana and then we react to the touch. When prana reacts in a moto response, it becomes apana. Apana carries motor responses
The Apana present in the nervous system is called
Sukshma apana and shakti apana
What are two types of movements?
Voluntary and involuntary
What are voluntary movements?
Voluntary movement are those under motor contro,such as movements of biceps, triceps, and other skeletal muscles.
What are involuntary movements?
For example heartbeat, these movements are under control of the automatic nervous system. There are certain movements that both voluntary and involuntary such as movement of the diaphragm, but these movements are classified as involuntary. A person can control respiration for a short period of time, but beyond that its automatic.
What are five important functions of vata in th body?
- Purana (to fill the space)
- Udvahana (to move upwards)
- Viveka (isolation, seperation, splitting)
- Dharana (to hold the flow)
- Praspandaham (Pulsatio, throbbing)
Pruna meaning
means to fill the space, as air fill the vacuum. Purana is associated with prana vayu and fills the spaces of the cells and giverns inspiration.
Udvahana meaning
is upward movement, which is udana vayu.
Viveka meaning
- isolation, seperation, splitting and a single cells splits into two
- Samana vayu is associated with viveka
- Discrimination between essential and non essential , which one of the processes of digestion samana splits and the foodstuff into essential and non essential for absorbtion in the small intestines and at the cellural level
Dharana meaning
- hold the flow, as when one inhales and holds the breath, and alsoe means circulation and nutrition
- for example through circulation, vata carries nutrients to the cells and, by osmosis, the cells are nuorishes by vata
- Associates with apana vayu, which absorbs minerals and thereby governs the nourishment of the body. If the person has a severe diarrhea, the dharana function is lost.
- Dharana is also neccessary for the tone of the body
Spandanam meaning
Praspandanam meaning
- Spandanam pulsation
- Praspandanam movement of the body governed by vyana vayu, pulsation
- when one feels the throb of the pulse, it is because of vyana.
Pakvashaya meaning
- the colon
- From Ayurvedic point of view, this is the vital site.
- when vata is aggrevated the person develops consipation and lower backache
- the person also develops pain in the tights, ringing in the ears, and aches and pains in the bones and joints, as well as tingling and numbness in the skin.
- Most vata diseases are treated by injecting oil in the rectum, when the colon is lubricated with oil, vata calms down.
Shabdendriya meaning
Sparshendrya meaning
Shabdenriya means The auditory pathways
Sparshendrya means the tactile pathways
The ears are constantly open to the air, so one can hear sound through the ears. Similarly the skin is always exposed to the air and we feel touch through the skin.
Functions of VATA
- All physical movements
- Maintenance of life
- Communication
- Governs the mind, sensory perception,and motor functions, including speach and muscular co- ordination
- Movement of thoughts, feelings and nerve impulses
- Respiration
- Heart function
- Circulation
- Ingestion
- Peristalsis and enzyme secretion
- Assimilation and absorbtion
- Elimination of urine, feces, sweat
- Menstruation, delivery of the baby
- Orgasm
- Cellular, respiration and division
- Hearing
- Touch
- Clarity
- Creativity
- Joy
Sites of Vata:
- Pakvashaya (colon)
- Kati (pelvic cavity, waist)
- Sakthi (tights)
- Murdhni (head)
- Asthi (bones)
- Strotra (ears (organs of hearing))
- Tvak (skin (organ of touch)
The Flow of Prana
Awareness (Motionless Prana) -> Perception -> Sensations -> Feelings -> Thoughts -> Emotions
Where is prana present and how does it move?
Prana is present in the head and moves downwards and inward.
What is prana connected with?
higher cerebral function
The Cerebrum
The cerebrum or cortex is the largest part of the human brain, associated with higher brain function such as thought and action. The cerebral cortex is divided into four sections, called “lobes”: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe.
Is vayu and vata are the same?
Yes
Where is prana vayu located and how does it move?
Located in the cranial cavity and it moves in the head.
It also moves down to the throat, heart, trachea, lungs and diaphragm, because of this movement prana is responsible for inhalation.
What union creates prana?
Outer cosmic prana and inner prana.
Prana is movement of…
mind, thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensation and sensation becomes feelings.
Motionless prana is…
Pure Awareness
Indriya and chitta meaning…
Indriya means sensation, sense organs and chitta means mind.
What is the thought according to Ayurveda and Modern Medicine?
According to modern medicine, thought is a biochemical vehicle but according to Ayurveda, thought is a vibration of prana,
Pranayama
Pranayama (breathing pattern) - to go beyond thought is the highest breathing
By controlling prana through pranayama…
one controls the choice and desire and hence the mind. In this way, prana becomes manas (mind)
Describe imbalance of pranu vayu:
- Dyspnea
- Undue awareness of respiration or breathlessness (breathlessness can be physiological and pathological)
- exercise can produce shortness of breath
- emotions can produce shortness of breath, such as anger
- Pregnancy and obesity
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- other of symptoms of prana vayu are anxiety, nervousness, fear and anger.
- Inability to focus and concentrate
- Stroke, paralysis, grand mal epilepsy, petit mal epilepsy, sleep apnea, tremors or Parkinsons.
- Respiratory disorders include bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia, hiccoughs and constant burping.
Dyspnea define
Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath. Dyspnea is a sign of serious disease of the airway, lungs, or heart. The onset of dyspnea should not be ignored; it is reason to seek medical attention.
Respiration define
the action of breathing.
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
is a chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscles. While often referred to simply as “heart failure,” CHF specifically refers to the stage in which fluid builds up around the heart and causes it to pump inefficiently. You have four heart chambers
grand mal seizure
causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It’s the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures. A grand mal seizure — also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure — is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain.
petit mal seizure
Seizures are temporary changes in brain activity. Doctors categorize and treat different types of epilepsy based on the kind of seizure they cause. Absence seizures, or petit mal seizures, are brief, usually less than 15 seconds, and they have symptoms that may be barely noticeable.
Parkinson’s disease
According to the principles of Ayurveda, Parkinson’s disease develops because of aggravation of Vata Dosha in the nerves in the brain. Aggravated Vata Dosha can dry up the nerves with adverse affects. The disease usually develops during middle age or old age.
What is Udana vayu?
Its upwards moving energy
Where is udana vayu located?
It slocated in diagraphm and moves upwards through the lungs, bronchi, trachea and throat.
What the purpose of udana going to the brain?
It helps to stimulate the memory.
Udana is the nerve inpulse that takes place at…
the solar plexus and tracheal plexus.
solar plexus
a complex of ganglia and radiating nerves of the sympathetic system at the pit of the stomach
Udana is repsonsible of speach and expression
It governs the movements of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles,and helps the process of exhalation. A person cannot speak without exchalation.
Udana vayu helps oxygenation. How can we tell when oxygenation is good and bad?
When Oxygenation is good, the person appears fresh and vital. If there is insufficient oxygen, the person suffers from cyanosis and has a purple color.
Cyanosis
is defined as the bluish or purplish discolouration of the skin or mucous membranes due to the tissues near the skin surface having low oxygen saturation.
Why udana vayu is helpful to a person?
It helps the person rise from confusion, attachment, and depression.
Which yogasana stimulates udana?
- shoulder stand
- cobra pose
- camel pose
What to do if udana is weak?
If udana is weak, indulging in actions such as jogging or jumping is like beating a tired horse. Need to stimulate with the following asanas:
- shoulder stand
- cobra pose
- camel pose
What difficulties create vayu disorders?
- creates difficulty of speech, such as stuttering or muttering.
- It creates lack of memory, lack of creativity, and no sense of goal of direction.
What suppressed udana vayu?
- creates depression and discloration of the skin
- It can create certain bronchial conditions (hoarseness of voice, asthma, pneumonia and emphysema, as well as blushing and flushing)
Hoarseness
Hoarseness is a term referring to abnormal voice changes. Hoarseness may be manifested as a voice that sounds breathy, strained, rough, raspy, or a voice that has higher or lower pitch.
Asthma
a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. It is usually connected to allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity.
Pneumonia
is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the small air sacs known as alveoli. Typically symptoms include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing.
Emphysema
s a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath due to over-inflation of the alveoli (air sacs in the lung). In people with emphysema, the lung tissue involved in exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) is impaired or destroyed.
Where is the Samana Vayu located?
Present in the small intestne and navel.
How does Samana Vayu moves?
It moves the duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
Duodenum
the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach, leading to the jejunum
Jejunum
the part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum.
Ileum
the third portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the caecum.
What does Samana vayu provides?
The Samana vayu provides th stuimulus for the secretion of digestive juices, therefore samana vayu is closely connected with agni (digestive fire).
There are agnis in the liver and samaan vayu provides….
the energy to secrete the liver enzymes.
Bile
or gall is a dark green to yellowish brown fluid, produced by the liver of most vertebrates, that aids the digestion of lipids in the small intestine. In humans, bile is produced continuously by the liver (liver bile), and stored and concentrated in the gallbladder (gallbladder bile).