What is Ayurveda? Understanding the Ancient Lifestyle Medicine

Ayurveda means the “knowledge of life” and is based on the principles of nature. Long before modern civilization, daily life revolved around what nature provided — sunlight, vegetation, and the changing seasons. Within this knowledge of nature are the five Great Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. These elements make up the universe — and us. The science is simple: to restore balance, we must be aware of the elements at play.

The Three Ayurvedic Bio-Energies (Doshas): Vata, Pitta, Kapha Explained

Ayurveda’s concept of healing is rooted in three bio-energies, or doshas, that stem from these five elements:

• Vata – Air + Ether (movement)

• Pitta – Fire + Water (heat)

• Kapha – Water + Earth (groundedness)

Everything in nature holds a combination of these energies. For example, wind is made of Air and Ether — you can’t see it, but you can feel it. A tree is mostly Earth, sturdy and stable, but it also needs Water to stay alive. Liquid fire, like lava, embodies Pitta — hot and transformative but containing enough Water to stay fluid.

We, too, are made of these energies in our own unique balance. This balance shapes our bodies, minds, and how we experience the world. If you understand your personal combination of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, you hold the power to support your health and well-being.

How Ayurvedic Energies (Doshas) Influence Your Body and Mind

Your unique mix of doshas influences your physical and mental tendencies. For example:

• Vata types may feel cold often, have a slender frame, and lean towards being restless or unfocused — like the wind, they’re light, quick, and unpredictable.

• Pitta types tend to be strong, with a warmer body temperature, sharp minds, and a drive for precision — like fire, they’re intense, organized, and transformative.

• Kapha types are solid and steady, nurturing and dependable — like the earth, they provide stability but may struggle with motivation and movement.

Each dosha also has a vital function in the body:

• Vata governs movement — everything from your breath to your muscles.

• Pitta controls digestion and transformation — processing food, thoughts, and emotions.

• Kapha holds things together — building, binding, and providing strength and emotional stability.

When these energies are in balance, you feel strong, clear, and healthy. When they’re off balance, they create signs and symptoms that something isn’t right — a signal from your body to restore harmony.

Discover Your Ayurvedic Dosha: Unlocking Your True Nature

Your truest nature lies in knowing what you’re made of. When you understand your unique bio-energy, you’re empowered with the knowledge of how to support your vitality. You’ll know what foods to eat, how to adapt to the seasons, and how to navigate life’s transitions — from day to night, season to season, and through every stage of life.

Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coaching gives you this understanding. You’ll walk away with a clear sense of your unique mind-body blueprint and practical ways to support your health and well-being — every day, in every way.

Regan’s Journey: How Our Lifestyle Coach Found Ayurveda

I first heard of Ayurveda during my yoga teacher training. I remember being immediately enamored with the concepts as I have always loved trying to figure myself out. I had always enjoyed doing personality tests and finding ways to dive a little deeper into understanding my tendencies and here was this whole science that encompassed not only how I thought but also my physical physiology and I was taken.

I began to slowly incorporate concepts and learn a little at a time. I could see the small benefits as I made some shifts. Honestly, there were shifts I knew I should have made sooner, but the life I created didn’t make it that simple. So I took my time. I started to share some of these ideas in my counseling sessions with clients wondering how much they might notice the benefits. I would see things work for some and not for others and I eventually realized the flaw of blindly sharing the same suggestions to so many different and unique people. There are some standard practices that are used across the board, but otherwise the magical part of the practice is designing changes based on a person’s mind/body physiology. This is when I knew I wanted to learn more.

My 2 ½ year process connected me to the deep concepts and practices of Ayurveda here in the states and also with a trip to India to study in the birthplace of Ayurveda. In India the practices are in full swing and are deeply connected to the rich culture. Here in the US, Ayurveda is finding it’s footing as a relevant way to better understand our health and ourselves. This is what my clients will get to experience through Lifestyle Coaching with me.

Learn more about Regan in the blog below:

Our New Lifestyle Coach, Regan Mosher-Rudolf

What to Expect with Ayurveda Lifestyle Coaching

Initial Session:

• Goal Setting: We’ll discuss what’s most important to you.

• Lifestyle Assessment: I’ll gather details about your lifestyle and physiology.

• Ayurvedic Diagnostics: I’ll examine your tongue (a map of your body) and read your pulse the Ayurvedic way.

• Early Recommendations: I’ll offer a few starter tips to help you begin right away.

Session 2 (2 Weeks Later):

• I’ll present a personalized plan designed for your unique constitution (dosha) and goals.

Sessions 3-8 (Ongoing Learning):

• Deeper Insights: We’ll explore more about your individual needs.

• Evolving Recommendations: I’ll adjust guidance as your progress continues.

• Self-Empowerment: By the final session, you’ll feel confident making daily health decisions and maintaining preventative practices.

Learning about yourself through the lens of Ayurveda is never completely finished. I continue to put new things into practice slowly as there is just no way to do all of it at once. With that in mind, clients will always have the opportunity for check-in sessions beyond their initial goals.

Interested in signing up for coaching or just want to learn more?

Call us: (317)598-4325

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