Exploring the Tri-Dosha Theory from a - Yoga Veda...The Three Bodily Humors • Panchamahabhutas :: • Ether / Space • Air / Motion • Fire / Energy • Water / Cohesion • Earth

Exploring the Tri-Dosha Theory from a Yogic Perspective

Exploring the Tri-Dosha Theory from a Yogic

Perspective Module 1 :: Lesson 5

Yoga Veda Institute Exploring the Tri-Dosha Theory from a Yogic Perspective :: Module 1 :: Lesson 5

The Three Bodily Humors

• Panchamahabhutas :: •  Ether / Space •  Air / Motion •  Fire / Energy •  Water / Cohesion •  Earth / Mass

• Called the five states of matter.


The Five States of Matter

• Mass, liquidity, conversion, propulsion, and the field in which they operate.

• These five states are activated by energy or the given constituent.

• The concept of a given constituent - energy - was understood by both Chinese and Indian sages.

•  It was called Qi or Prana.


The Five Element Theory


1.Energyinteracts

withthefield

2.Createsmovementorpropulsion

3.PropulsionCreates

fric3onorheat

4.Causestheconversionof

energy

5.Conversioncauses

condensa3onorliquidity

6.Liquidityse?les‘mass’isformed

Role of Prana in the Three Humors

• Vata is really ether + air + prana. • Pitta is really fire + water + prana. • Kapha is really water + earth + prana.

• That prana being life, the animator, the bio-energy, it must be present in each humor.


Three Doshas as Biological Principles :: • Water and earth do not naturally stay mixed together; kapha is

that force that keeps them together. • Water and fire do not mix; some force can keep them together;

pitta is that force. • Air needs space in which to move, too much or too little space

creates problems; vata is that force that balances these two. • Vata, pitta, and kapha are the pranic forces that keep the five

states of matter in check and balance.


• Traditional Ayurveda says these humors, by their very nature, go out of balance. They are said to be the cause of disease.

• Sanskrit word dosha (“humor”) :: “thing which can go out of whack”.

• This is because they have a difficult job keeping solid and fluid, fluid and heat, motion and space functioning smoothly together.


Balancing Humors

• Many of our diseases, aches, and pains can be seen as conflicts between different states of matter.

• Controlling the dominant humor, or the unbalanced humor, results in harmony to the five states of matter.

•  Which are the basis of all manifestation, and which include both good health and disease.


Vata, Pitta and Kapha

• Vata can be described as that which moves everything in the body, including pitta and kapha.

• Pitta can be described as that which transforms everything in the body; it is the metabolic process.

• Kapha can be described as that, which provided the base for the other two humors.

•  It is stability; it provides cohesion in the body.


The Constitution • The mental always predominates over the physical.

•  I find the Ayurvedic classifications of the physical body to be the least helpful in the determination of the constitution.

•  I find pulse diagnosis, more accurate means of determining a persons constitution.

• Even better are the mental habits that, when observed

carefully, show clearly the over-all constitutional tendencies.


Vata • Vata is directly related to the Apana Prana. • The qualities of Vata are cold, dry, unstable, erratic, and light. • Colors associated with Vata are black or darkish colors. • The pulse position is in the first position (closest to the hand) and

the back or root of the tongue show the internal condition of Vata. • The site of Vata is the large intestine, and it controls the organs of

the lower half of the body. • Vata is responsible for all movement in the body (Muscular and

nervous) and all excretions or wastes from the body. • Vata is directly related to the thinking process and stress.


Balance your Humors

• Vata can be lowered by raising either pitta or kapha, or both together; this result in “balance.”

• Thus “balance” does not mean three equal amounts of each humor, it means to return to your individual mix of the three humors, whatever that is for you.


Balancing Vata • Use more kapha-type herbs and foods to lower vata. • Oil is good for all vata conditions, both externally and internally.

•  Ex. sesame or almond. • To clear out internal toxins, use castor oil. • Oil massage is very important for contorting vata. •  It is necessary to eliminate all cold, dry foods from the diet. • Meat can be very grounding for Vata. • Avoidance of stress, fear, and anxiety are important.


Pitta • Pitta is directly related to Samana prana. • The qualities of pitta are not, oily, intense, light, and liquid. • The colors associated with pitta are red, green, and yellow. • Pitta is found in the second or middle pulse position. •  Its located in the small intestine, and it controls the organs of

digestion. • Pitta control the metabolism, body heat, and the transformation

of matter and information.


Indication of high Pitta

• High or low body heat correspond directly to pitta. • As does the color of the complexion. • Pitta is strongest in the middle of the day and in midlife. • Strong, hot emotions indicate that pitta is too high and need to

be lowered.


Balancing Pitta • Meditation and prayer help to lower the fiery emotions

associated with pitta. • The satvic way of living is the most important for pitta type

people as they are most likely to dominate, control, and aggress other people.

• Pitta can be lowered by raising kapha. • Cold, bitter (vata) herbs are excellent for lowering pitta and

detoxifying the blood and pitta organs-liver, spleen, pancreas, and small intestine.

• Massage with cooling oil (olive, coconut).


Kapha •  Kapha is directly related to the Vyana Prana. •  The qualities of kapha are cold, oily, heavy, dense, stable, and

smooth. •  The colors associated with kapha corresponds to the third pulse

position (closest to the shoulder) and is found on the front part of the tongue.

•  Kapha is located in the stomach and corresponds to the organs in the upper half of the body.

•  Smooth condition of the skin indicate kapha along with white or pale colors.

•  Kapha is strong in mid-morning and childhood.


Indications of high Kapha

• Excessive sleep, lethargy, and a dull mind indicate that the kapha humors is overabundant and need to be lowered.

• Obesity or excess fat accumulation also shows an excess of kapha , and often a malfunction of pitta.


Balancing Kapha • Raising pitta is the basis of treating most kapha imbalance. • Heating herbs and food can provide the means needed to raise

pitta. • Detoxifying plays a very important role in treating kapha people. •  It is usually helpful for kapha people to work with others in

groups or classes. • Quality relationships are very important for kapha people. • Outside activities and forms of exercises help to control kapha.


Yoga and Ayurveda

• Yoga applied for health of body and mind reflects Ayurveda. • Ayurveda applied for the development of higher awareness

crosses over into Yoga. • Yet we should acknowledge the origins of Yoga more at a

spiritual than a physical level. • Yoga cannot be limited to any single group or definition.


Yoga and Ayurveda

• Ayurveda’s view of Yoga combines it with treatment of both body and mind, affording it both physical and spiritual dimensions.

• Yet, Ayurveda broadens the physical and health concerns of Yoga from exercise to overall life-style, diet and herbs, extending to the mind.


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Documents

Exploring the Tri-Dosha Theory from a - Yoga Veda...The Three Bodily Humors • Panchamahabhutas :: • Ether / Space • Air / Motion • Fire / Energy • Water / Cohesion • Earth