AYURVEDA, introduced to this country by Dr. Deepak Chopra M.D. and Ayurvedic Practitioner, is the ancient Indian healing art that is over 5,000 years old and the foundation of the traditional 2,000 year old Chinese medicine system.  

This ancient style of Eastern Medicine and its principles are based on healing the body naturally by treating the body, mind and spirit as a whole. This is done with diagnosing the individual's body type and then balancing all the senses according to that specific body type using taste (food therapy), smell (aromatherapy), sound (music therapy) and touch (massage therapies).

                                            

According to Ayurveda, each of us inherits a unique mix of three mind/body principles which creates our specific mental and physical characteristics. These three principles are called doshas. Most of us have one or two doshas which are most lively in our nature, with the remaining one(s) less significant.

Ayurveda originates from the ancient traditions of India, it is considered one of the leading forms of holistic medicine available in the West. The principles of Ayurveda state that everything you interact with your diet, family, work and relationships, has an effect on your health and well being, nothing exists in isolation.

The three doshas are known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. 
(see Quiz at bottom of page to determine your dosha type.)

If we have mostly Vata dosha, we tend to be thin, light and quick in our thoughts and actions. Change is a constant part of our lives. When Vata is balanced, we are creative, enthusiastic and lively. But if Vata becomes excessive, we may develop anxiety, insomnia or irregular digestion.

If Pitta dosha is most lively in our nature, we tend to be muscular, smart and determined. If balanced, we are warm, intelligent and a good leader. If out of balance, Pitta can make us critical, irritable and aggressive.

If we have mostly Kapha dosha in our nature, we tend to have a heavier frame, think and move more leisurely and are stable. When balanced, it creates calmness, sweetness and loyalty. When excessive, Kapha can cause weight gain, congestion and resistance to healthy change.

Using the principles of Ayurveda, we can identify our mind/body nature and use this understanding to make the most nourishing choices in our lives. It is common for people to have a blend of characteristics and usually one will tend to be dominate.

For each body type there are specific smells, tastes, sounds and intensities of touch that bring it into or out of balance, as well as each body type ruling an organ or system within the body. 

For example the Vata body type is balanced with warm and moist tastes of sweet, sour and salty and is put out of balance with cold and dry, bitter, pungent and astringent tasting foods, where as the Kapha body type is brought into balance with warm and dry, bitter, pungent and astringent and put out of balance with cold and moist, sweet and salty tastes. Pitta body type is brought into balance with cool, bitter, sweet and astringent and put out of balance with warm, salty and spicy.

Another way to understand the power of this principal of healing is to remember how badly you felt after eating something that didn't agree with you, but that same food did not effect your friend, who was most likely a different body type than you. Some perfumes (aromas) that will smell good to you, will smell bad to others.

It is our individual body sensitivities that determines our well being. This explains how Western medicine cannot successfully treat everyone with the same disease using the same drugs and expect them to work equally for everyone.

The benefits of Ayurveda medicine are superior to any other practice because it treats the patient as an individual rather than one of the pack and because it is a natural almost innate approach to the healing process.

Ayurveda  Massage    

                                                                                     
 
Ayurveda recommends massage on a daily basis along with the practice of yoga for optimal health and for healing imbalances. Each body type or Dosha benefits from different massage techniques.

ABHYANGA is an oil massage that is used to unblock and balance the flow of prana (energy) to energy or marma points located in channels throughout the body while increasing overall health and vitality by stimulating organs and internal body systems.

This massage can be easily learned to perform (10 to 15 minutes), on a daily morning basis for optimal health benefits. This is especially helpful for a patient overcoming illness or other more subtle imbalances.

ABHYANGA is recommended for both Vata (sesame oil (warming) or clarified butter) and Pitta (olive oil (cooling) or clarified butter) body types. It is emotionally and physically relaxing not just from the soothing strokes but also from the types of oils used for body type compatibility.
 

The oil is applied from the head working down the entire body to the toes with soft (Vata), or strong (Pitta) pressure using long flowing strokes on the torso and limbs and circular strokes on the joints.

GHARSHAN is an oil free massage performed from head to toe, using raw silk gloves rubbing rapidly over the dry skin to create friction in order to promote increased circulation within the body and to loosen toxins accumulated from undigested food (usually from overeating or poor digestion). This is especially good for Kapha body types or persons overweight. When done in combination with yoga regularly, it is useful for getting rid of cellulite.


                                      DOSHA - BODY TYPING  QUIZ
 Check off one box per characteristic. Total all points in each Dosha column to find more dominant dosha. If you are close to equal points in two doshas then you are a double dosha with the third being your less dominant.  

» Select the answer that most applies-- make sure to answer all the questions, and answer in order from top to bottom.

Add all columns in the appropriate boxes.   Which ever Score is highest is your most dominant Dosha.  If they are within one point then you have a double Dosha or if all three are within one point each you are Tri Dosha.   (To take the test over hit your refresh button to clear your current answers.)

Select the type of Ayurveda massage and appropriate oil for your scored Dosha and body type.