Ayurveda and You - A Breathing Space Guide

As part of our commitment to holistic health and wellness at Breathing Space, we offer you this complementary handout to help support you in making appropriate lifestyle choices. Ayurveda--a sister science to yoga--is an ancient Indian system of medicine, known to be the oldest tradition of healing, healthful living and longevity. Its holistic approach addresses all aspects of well-beingfrom the physical body, to the mind, emotions and spiritual awareness. The emphasis in Ayurveda lies in cultivating harmony between the mind, body and the laws of nature. This is done through lifestyle changes, yoga, chanting and meditation. All of these factors help to strengthen and purify the body and mind, restoring wholeness within. When a person's energy systems are out of balance with each other and nature, illness can set in. Ayurveda helps to re-establish this balance by observing a persons dosha or predominant energy force. The five elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth comprise the ayurvedic archetypes known as doshas. Vata (energy) is ruled by the elements ether and air and described as quick and irregular. Its qualities are dry, light, cold, rough and erratic. The primary area of the body affected by Vata is the colon. Pitta (light) is ruled by the elements fire and water and described as fast and decisive. Its qualities are oily, hot, light and sharp. The primary area of the body affected by Pitta is the small intestine. Kapha (matter) is ruled by the elements earth and water and described as slow and methodical. Its qualities are wet, cold, heavy and solid. The primary area of the body affected by Kapha is the stomach. Balancing a person's dosha not only enables the various organs of the body to work together, it also fosters a strong connection to the environment and the cosmos. We all tend to have a dominant dosha that influences our character as well as our lifestyle and daily habits. So lets find out which dosha is guiding your life. To determine your metabolic type, spend some time answering this abbreviated questionnaire as honestly as possible for best accuracy. Check off the questions that you answered yes to. Vata Do you get easily flustered in most activities? Do you have a short attention span?

Do you have difficulty gaining weight? Do you sleep poorly (4-6hrs) and experience restlessness? Is your skin dry? Do you have smaller bones than others? Do you feel cold often and enjoy hot temperatures? Do you have gaseous distention in the colon? Might others describe you as spacy and indecisive? Do you feel anxious by this test?

Pitta
Do you tend to remain completely focused on tasks? Do you gain and lose weight easily? Do you get ravenously hungry and love to eat? Do you have acid indigestion or inflammation? Do you sleep lightly and moderately (6-8hrs)? Are you often hot? Is your skin sensitive, reddish and freckled? Do you have medium size bones? Might others describe you as intolerant or judgemental? Do you feel irritated or angry by this test?

Kapha
Do you have excellent endurance? Do you gain weight easily? Is your appetite strong and consistent? Do you sleep long and deeply (8-10hrs)? Do you have larger bones? Do you struggle with depression and lack of motivation? Do you react to stress in a calm and collected fashion? Do you retain fluids and experience nasal congestion? Might others describe you as stubborn or sluggish? Do you feel bored beyond belief by this test? My highest score indicates my predominant Ayurvedic mind/boy type is _____________. My secondary Ayurvedic mind/body type is______________.

Balancing Vata
Relax and meditate! Eat sweet, salty and sour foods that are warm, heavy and oily Most fruits are good choices Eat frequent smaller meals Fish, chicken, eggs and dairy are good, grounding proteins Drink hot water or herbal teas during the day Good grains: rice and wheat Eat cooked as apposed to raw vegetables Avoid too much travel and sensory stimulation Pranayama (breathwork) is beneficial in moderation as it ignites heat in the body and balances emotional unstability

Choose a mild style of yoga that has a repetitive, meditative nature to it like sun salutations. Keep the intensity low and avoid labored breathing Daily abhyanga (self massage) using Breathing Space Vata Balancing Oil

Balancing Pitta
Chill out and moderate! Establish a daily routine of work, exercise and sleep to temper the fiery nature Moderation is the magic word for Pittas Fire can warm us or consume us so avoid overheating in temperature--no hot yoga! Overheating with emotions is also common so practicing cooling pranayama (breathwork) is excellent for balancing mental states Good grains: wheat, rice, barley and oats Choose sweet fruits like cherries, melons, avocados and mangoes Reduce hot foods and spices Eat in a relaxed setting without distractions like TV Avoid stimulants at all costs Include deep relaxation and meditation into your yoga regime Vigorous yoga, (vinyasa/flow or anshtanga) is okay but watch for overheating Daily abhyanga (self massage) using Breathing Space Pitta Balancing Oil

Balancing Kapha
Drink hot water during the day and keep the body warm to decrease the cooling nature of Kapha which slows us down Fresh fruit and veggie juices, soups and teas are beneficial Steamed veggies, beans and grains with hot spices are wholesome food choices that nourish and detoxify the body Pranayama (breathwork) like Kapalabati (breath of fire) can be done daily Kaphas gain weight by thinking about food because of their sluggish metabolism so watch the intake and minimize carbohydrates if weight loss is the goal Minimize dairy products and as they increase the kapha effect Good grains: barley, millet, buckwheat and rye Avoid heavy, sour fruits like bananas, dates, avocados and melons Increase raw veggies and salads and hot spices In moderation, coffee may help to get Kaphas off the couch and on to their mats Power yoga, Hot yoga and faster sun salutations are all good choices Meditation helps to deepen kaphas natural peaceful state Weekly Abhyanga (self massage) using Breathing Space Kapha Balancing Oil

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