India's traditional form of medicine, ayurveda is one of the oldest healing systems on earth, with its adherents claiming that it provides the key to maintaining health and happiness throughout life.
“Each dosha performs a different
function in the body and eating
right for your dosha is all important,”
Meaning "life knowledge", ayurveda is mentioned in Hindu texts dating back more than 5000 years and, like yoga and meditation, is enjoying renewed popularity around the world.
"Ayurveda is a holistic system that encompasses all aspects of life, health and happiness," explains Dr Rajneesh Kour, a therapist at the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre in Sydney's Bondi. "Ayurveda treats the root cause of disease and helps the body to heal itself."
According to Ayurvedic traditions, we are all made up of three body types, or "doshas", known as "vata","pitta" and "kapha". Your dosha corresponds to your physical and personality traits, but it's not a case of one size fits all. Everyone has a unique combination of all three doshas, and generally one or two are more dominant.
"Each dosha performs a different function in the body and eating right for your dosha is all important," says Kour. "Ayurvedic medicine can be used to bring the body back to equilibrium, find out what is lacking, and modify it."
So, what is your dominant dosha?
VATA
If you're a vata-dominant person, you will tend to:
• Have a light frame with slender hands and fingers.
• Be naturally creative and like to think, talk and move quickly.
• Find it hard to gain weight and easy to lose it.
• Have dry skin and prefer warm, humid climates.
• Have changeable appetite, sleep and energy levels.
What's good for vatas
• Eating warm, moist foods like porridge, soups and curries with mild spices like ginger and cardamom
. • Vegetables such as asparagus, beets and cucumber.
• Fruits such as avocados, bananas and figs.
• Including dairy in your diet.
• Having a handful of almonds every morning.
• Doing yoga and walking daily
PITTA
If you're a pitta-dominant person, you will tend to:
• Have a medium build.
• Be a passionate perfectionist.
• Maintain the same general weight throughout your life.
• Have skin that burns easily.
• Have a big appetite and high energy levels.
What's good for pittas:
• Eating cool or warm foods, such as salads and stir-fries with cooling herbs and spices like mint, turmeric and coriander.
• Vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini and peas, while avoiding eating too much eggplant, onion and chillies, which can aggravate pittas.
• Fruits such as bananas, avocados, melons, grapes and pears.
• Including grains in your diet.
• Starting the day with an egg-white omelette or stewed fruit.
• Doing medium-intensity exercise such as swimming, dancing and jogging for 30 to 40 minutes a day.
KAPHA
If you're a kapha-dominant person, you will tend to:
• Have a big frame with short fingers.
• Be easygoing with a good memory.
• Find it easy to gain weight and hard to lose it.
• Have smooth skin and lustrous hair.
• Have stable energy levels and love to sleep.
What's good for kaphas:
• Eating warm, light, dry foods, with cumin, fenugreek, ginger and sesame seeds.
• Vegetables such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, spinach and potatoes.
• Fruits such as apricots, coconuts, apples and pomegranates.
• Having massages using warm mustard oil.
• Vigorous exercise, such as running, swimming and skipping.
This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale August 19.
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