AYURVEDA IS A WAY OF LIFE
Our Symbolism
Our Symbolism
5 Universal Elements & Senses
3 Biological Doshas : Vata | Pitta | Kapha
3 Mental Gunas : Sattva | Rajas | Tamas
Prakriti : Your Unique Human Form
Ayurveda means “the science of life”
AnAmaya Ayurveda: A Simple Overview
What does AnAmaya mean?
AnAmaya refers to the outermost layer of our being – the physical body – which is nourished by the food we eat. It includes our skin, bones, muscles, and organs, and is known as the ‘food sheath’ or Annamaya Kosha in Hindu philosophy.
Refers to the outermost layer of the 5 sheaths or bodies of the physical body. In Hindu philosophy the sheaths or bodies are known as koshas. It is also known as the ‘food sheath’, because it is nourished by the food we consume. The AnAmaya kosha includes the health and wellbeing of your skin, bones, muscles and organs and is the foundation of the human form in this world.
Ayurveda… is a way of life
What is Ayurveda?
“The science or knowledge of life or longevity”
Ayur: Life or longevity – All aspects of your life from the moment you were conceived to when you were born and finally to your passing.
Veda: Simply means science or knowledge.
It offers practical ways to live well – from birth to our final breath – by understanding our unique mind-body type.
Ayurveda Elements
The 5 Elements & Senses
Everything in nature, including us, is made of 5 universal elements, each linked to a sense and a function in the body:
Ether
Akasha: Resonates with sense of hearing/sound and spirituality and connection to our wellbeing.
Air
Vayu: Vital for our existence, movement, sense of touch and skin, nervous system, mental functions, creativity and communication.
Fire
Agni: Symbolises transformation, energy and the sense of sight. It represents heat and is critical for your digestion and absorption of nutrients residing in your stomach and small intestine.
Water
Jala: Water is linked to ‘rasa’ which pertains to the sense of taste and the tongue. In our bodies water exists in various forms of bodily fluids emphasising the importance of energy balance within the body.
Earth
Prithvi: Earth element plays an important role for the sense of smell and the nose. The density of earth element is evident in our stability, self-assuredness, structure and firmness to our form, also encompassing our bones, fats, muscles and tissues.
Connection to You
3 Doshas : Your Biological Constitution
A person’s individual constitution is their unique balance of the tridoshas. Everyone has some of each but no two people are exactly the same. We are all born with our own particular balance of the three doshas, which creates our constitution and remains unaltered throughout our lives.
The predominant dosha or doshas determines our physique, our mental and emotional tendencies and our pre-disposition to certain health problems.
Vata [Ether & Air]
Wind: Principle of Propulsion/Movement (what moves: movement, creativity, quick thinking)
Pitta [Fire & Water]
Sun: Energy of Conversion/Transformation (what cooks: digestion, focus, ambition)
Kapha [Water & Earth]
Moon: Agency of Cooling/Interlinking (what cooks: stability, strength, calmness)
3 Gunas : Mental Traits That Bind The Soul To The Body
The Gunas are qualities that shape the mind:
Sattva Intelligence, Goodness, Purity, Clarity, Wisdom, Peace
Rajas Change, Activity, Passion, Desire, Restlessness
Tamas Chaos, Inertia, Ignorance, Confusion, Dullness
These subtle energies affect how we think, feel, and act. They are the energies through which our deeper consciousness functions, form a deeper level than the three biological Tri Doshas, and help us understanding our mental and spiritual nature and how it functions.
Balance brings inner harmony.
Ayurveda helps you realign your Vikriti with your Prakriti for better health and wellbeing
Prakriti vs Vikriti
Prakriti
Your Natural Constitution – the 3 dosha balance you’re born with.
The inherent natural constitution of every individual which is determined at the time of your birth and is shaped by the 3 Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and influences your body type, personality and characteristics
Vikriti
Your Current State – the imbalances caused by stress, diet, lifestyle, and environment.
Refers to your current state of imbalance of the 3 Doshas in relation to the natural balanced state of Prakriti. Your personal Vikriti will vary over your life’s journey, influenced by lifestyle, diet, hygiene, sleep, exercise, trauma and environment.
What's Your Dosha?
Doshas are the energies that govern the body and mind. Knowing your natural and unique constitution is a key to your health. Understanding your basic nature is essential for choosing lifestyle patterns and practices which are best suited to you.
