A dosha is your mind- body constitution. All things in this universe are created from the 5 elements – space, air, earth, fire, and water. The difference is the ratio of each element present in everything. Each element represents a certain attribute in the mind and body and it is reflected in the personalities, physical traits, emotional acuity, and how things act, react, and interact with other things in the universe.

• The doshas are vata – made of air and space elements. Pitta – made of fire and water. Kapha – made of earth and water.
• Yes, many times individuals are a combination of two elements such as vata-pitta (my dosha) pitta-kapha, and vata-kapha. Sometimes individuals may be a combination of all the doshas as well but it is not as common.

Please take the dosha assessment quiz, here.

Western medicine is reactive and treats symptoms after disease has begun. Ayurveda is proactive and treats individuals based on their unique mind-body constitution. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining health and balance in the mind and body. Western medicine is heavily reliant on sythetic drugs to suppress symptoms and diseases while Ayurveda treats the root issues and aims to heal the consciousness of each individual rather than using a pharmaceutical band aid.

Ayurveda combines an approach of using herbs, diet, lifestyle routine, meditation, breath-work, and a natural detox and rejuvenation of the body (panchakarma) to create balance and harmony.

Ayurveda is an ancient medicine originating nearly 5,000 years ago in India. It can be traced back to the beginning of cosmic creation and recorded in Sanskrit (an ancient language).

Ayurveda believes health is achieved through balance of each dosha and living in accordance with nature. This means attuning your body to the cylces, the seasons, the sun, the moon, night, day, etc. It means adapting our sleeping, eating, and work schedules so they are consistent with those cycles.

Healthy digestion is the basis of overall wellness in Ayurveda. The quality and strength of digestion affects every part of the body. Without this proper function the cells, tissues, and organs cannot absorb the proper nutrients. The absorption and assimilation of food nutrients is the building block of the body.

Ama is improperly digested food and creates toxins in the body. Over time the accumulated ama creates disease in the body.

Agni is the metabolic strength of the body. Keeping this digestive fire balanced is what creates optimal health. Too little or too much fire can both create imbalance and disease in the body.

It is a whole body massage generally performed by two therapists with a specific herbal oil for each individual. The goal is to relax the mind and body and create balance for a specific dosha. It can promote calmness, rejuvenation, organ healing, reduce inflammation, relieve physical pain, and restore overall vitality. It is most commonly part of a panchakarma (see link below) program.

There are no side effects associated with either the therapies and herbs used in Ayurveda. Most suggested therapies are holistic and natural by using medicated oils, ghee (see link below), spices from the kitchen, organic food, breathwork, meditation, yoga asanas, and mostly herbal tonics and supplements to aid healing.

Ghee is clarified butter that is made by boiling down the milk solids and leaving a pure golden consistency that is considered to be a medicine in Ayurveda. It offers clarity of the mind, grounding, and stronger agni (digestive power). Ghee has a unique and special place in Ayurveda and offers numerous benefits to the gastrointestinal tract and nourishes all tissues of the body.