Ayurveda for beginners - basic principles and methods

For thousands of years, the teachings of Ayurveda have been passed down amongst the people. If it were not for this ancient system of healing, classical and Chinese medicine would probably look different today. Come with us to unveil the veil of the oldest medical complex.

What is Ayurveda?

The word Ayurveda can be translated as the science of life (ayur - life, veda - science). It is the oldest surviving system of healing based on the laws of nature. The goal of Ayurveda is to find balance on the physical, spiritual and mental levels. To do this, a range of treatments and activities are used:
 

• Meditation
• Customizing your diet
• Yoga
• Breathing exercises
• Massage
• Aromatherapy
• Colour therapy
• Detoxification and more

Ayurveda principles and basic principles

Ayurveda seeks to find and eliminate the causes of problems, which is different from modern medicine, which focuses mainly on the symptoms of diseases. The basic idea is to live in harmony with the personal constitution and the laws of nature. And what is this personal constitution? According to Ayurveda, each individual is composed of five elements - ether, water, air, fire and earth. These manifest in the form of three basic energetic principles - vata, pitta, kapha.
 

• Vata is assigned the element ether and air, it controls movement.
• Pitta is associated with fire and water and controls transformation.
• Kapha has the element of water and earth and provides stability.

Everything is based on an individual approach. Each person has a unique ratio of these energies (vata-pitta, pitta-vata, vata-kapha...), which we call constitution. When there is an excess of one of these energies, there is a psychological imbalance or poor function of one of the organs. So with Ayurveda we try to bring these energies back to their original balance. And how do you find out your constitution? With the help of an orientation dosha test, where you will choose the options that best describe your personality.

Meditation and listening to ourselves is an important part of Ayurveda

Three basic principles - diet, sleep, sex

These are important areas of life that should not be underestimated. We will now go through each of them and illustrate the basic principles of Ayurveda. The diet should be determined according to the constitution of the individual. Not everyone is suited to the same foods, diet or portion size. In general, however, the Ayurvedic diet follows a few rules.
 

1. Think of the meal as a little ceremony and don't overindulge. Eat peacefully and clear your mind.
2. Feel the taste of the food and try to enjoy it. Don't eat too slowly, but don't eat too fast either.
3. Prefer freshly prepared and warm food. Try to favour home-cooked food.
4. Follow your tastes. If you have a craving, indulge it. On the other hand, if you don't like a food, don't force yourself to eat it.
5. The vata and kapha constitutions should have a 3-6 hour break between meals for digestion.
6. Pittas can shorten the time, they digest faster.
7. The main meal of the day is lunch, so breakfast and dinner should be lighter.
8. It is recommended not to eat just before bedtime or before exercise.
9. In accordance with your constitution, incorporate all tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, etc.) into your meals.
10. Do not drink milk with fish, eggs, garlic or sour fruit. Milk should also not be drunk with meals consisting of several flavours.
11. Pitties should not consume too much yogurt and cheese, especially in the evening.
12. Beverages should be drunk warm or at room temperature; avoid iced drinks, as they may interfere with digestive processes.
13. Do not overcook honey or add it to hot drinks such as tea.
14. Eat so that you are two-thirds full. Do not overeat.

Another important area is sleep, don't deprive yourself of it. Go to bed around 10-11pm and ideally get 8 hours of sleep. Of course, you can adjust your schedule to suit your needs. Make sure you have a good quality mattress and bedding and that nothing disturbs you while you sleep. Like sleep and food, sex is also important. It is not only for procreation but also for pleasure. Sexual activity can be a way of regulating energy expenditure, but be careful not to overdo it. Too much of anything is bad for you. To improve your flexibility and get to know your body better, try yoga

Ayurveda and constitutional types

What these constitutions are and what types they are we have already written, now we can focus on their more detailed specification.

Vata

Vatas (as people with a vata constitution are said to be) are usually thin, tall or short, with dry and cool skin, dark, dry and wavy hair, a thin neck, and a thin voice. Inequality in these people is associated with stress, mental or physical exhaustion. Therefore, they easily fall into depression and sadness. Vatas should take time to rest, relax and clear their heads. If vata is prevalent in you, set aside a moment for yourself once in a while and do what you love. Light some incense sticks, play a musical instrument or your favorite music, relax and enjoy the peace. People of the vata constitution should avoid fried foods and follow a regular diet. Hot, moist foods and salty, sweet and sour tastes are recommended. Vegetables should be cooked and legumes should be lighter, such as red lentils or mung beans.

Kapha

The kapha constitution is characterized by a larger rounded figure, round face, larger nose, full lips and large teeth. The most common causes of imbalance are laziness, lack of exercise, humid weather, overeating and fatty, salty foods. Kaphas are advised to consume cooked foods, and conversely avoid fats, oils, nuts, wheat and animal products. In order to avoid laziness and motivate the kapha to move, they should surround themselves with red, orange and yellow colours.

Pitta

Pitta people have a medium build, lighter straight hair, a heart-shaped face, many birthmarks and soft skin. Pittas tend to be purposeful, organized and have excellent memories. They slip into imbalance with prolonged stress, unbalanced lifestyles and excessive heat. In addition, if they do not like exercise and sit in front of the TV or computer, the imbalance is exacerbated. Pitties should stay in cooler environments near water, eat a mostly raw diet and prefer vegetarian foods. They should prefer sweeter fruits and vegetables, milk, fruit juices, cooked oatmeal, almonds and coconut, herbal teas and legumes.