Earth

Water

Fire

Air

Ether

ThePanchaMahaBhutus:TheFiveelementtheory

Earth (Prithivi) is the idea of solidity and stability. Wood, metal, plastic, a blade of grass is made up of the idea of solidity. Each simply represents the solid form of matter and the principal that it provides stability. In the body, earth represents physical structure, in the mind it represents mental stability.

Water (Apas): is the idea of flow and liquidity. Water represents the liquid form of matter. It has no inherent motion of its own, but flows along the path of least resistance. Water not only represents H20 in the body, but all liquids including metals and oils. On the body, water represents fluid; in the body it represents gentle, loving as compassionate emotions.

Fire (Tejas): is the idea of light, heat and transformation. It is obvious that fire is hot and that it gives off light It’s transformative property is seen in its power to convert wood into ash, Fire represents force of evolution, converting who we are to who we are becoming. Fire creates the heat of fevers and the spiciness of the pungent taste, Fire illuminates truth, and dispels ignorance. In the body, fire governs digestion; in the mind, perception.

Air (Vayu) is the idea of motion, Whatever moves in nature is propelled by air. The wind is the physical representation of air, It’s mobile quality is self evident. Moreover, air is the force behind all motion, It is the force that moves a butterfly or hummingbird, an Airplane or a person’s arm. Air can even move the earth in the form of an earthquake or mudslide. Air is not just 02 it governs all movement in the body. In the body, air governs the movement of the nerve impulses, the breath and movement of limbs. In the mind, it moves thought

Ether (Akasha) is the idea of connectedness or space. Ether is the space that exists between things; it connects everything together. Ether is the space that the other elements fill Ether is so subtle that we cannot perceive it with our senses and yet we know it is there. It is the subtlest form of matter that can only be perceived in meditation. Ether is the fabric that all creation is built upon. In the body, ether represents the cavities or empty spaces that exist. In the mind, it represents consciousness.

A:ributesoftheTriDoshas

Vata: Definition: That which move things Elements: Air & Ether Governing Acton: Movement Chief Locations: Large intestine, pelvic cavity, bones, ears, thighs and nerves Chief Symptoms: Pain Disturbance examples: Excessive movement, twitching, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate Qualities: Cold, dry, light, subtle, flowing, mobile, sharp, hard, rough, clear

Pitta: Definition: That which digests things Elements: Fire and Water Governing Acton: Digestion and Metabolism Chief Locations: Small intestine, lower stomach, blood, sweat glands eyes, skin, liver and spleen Chief Symptoms: Fever Disturbance examples: Excessive heat in areas of the body Qualities: Hot, moist, light, subtle, flowing, mobile, sharp, hard, rough, clear

Kapha: Definition: That which holds things together Elements: Water & Earth Governing Acton: Lubrication, structure and growth, stability, immune strength Chief Locations: Stomach, chest, throat, head, plasma, liquids of the body and synovial membranes Chief Symptoms: Swelling Disturbance examples: Swelling Qualities: Cold, moist, heavy, gross, dense, static, dull, soft, smooth, cloudy

Vata Pi:a Kapha

VataismadeupofthetwoelementsspaceandairThosewithmoreVataintheirconsCtuConstendtobethin,withaslenderframeandprominentjoints,delicateskinthatisnaturallydry,anddryvoluminoushair.Theyarequickandlivelyinthought,speechandacCon,andmakefriendseasily.Thereisanelementofairinesstotheirstep,aqualityoflightnessintheirlaughter.Changeisusuallytheirsecondname.Theyarelightsleepersandgravitatetowardswarmenvironments.CreaCvityandenthusiasmarehallmarksofbalancedVata.

IfyourprakriCororiginalconsCtuConhasmoreVatainit,youwillexhibitmanyofthecharacterisCcsandqualiCesofVatawhenyouareinbalancethanpeoplewhohavemorePi:aorKaphaintheirmake‐up.Andthat'snatural.ButifthequaliCesbecomeextreme,ormorepronouncedthanusualatagivenCme,thentheVatainyouhasinalllikelihoodbecomeaggravatedorimbalanced,andneedstobebroughtbackintobalancebyfollowingaVata‐balancingdietandlifestyle

FactorsthatcancauseVatadoshatoincreaseinthephysiologyincludeadietthatcontainstoomanydryorrawfoods,over‐consumpConofice‐coldbeverages,exposuretocolddrywinds,avariabledailyrouCne,toomuchtravel,andmentaloverexerCon.SignsthatyouneedtobalanceVata.

VataDoshaOverview

Vata

TheDoshasandtheirsubtypes:Vata(Vayu)

VatadoshaistheforcewithinthebodywhichisresponsibleforallmoCon.MadeupofEtherandAir,itsqualiCesreflectitselements:light,cold,dry,subtle,mobileandrough.Vata'smostimportantresidenceinthebodyisinthelargeintesCne,andisprevalentinthepelviccavity,poresofthebones,skin,earsandthighs.BelowisalistofcommonsymptomsofaVataimbalance.

Kaphaismadeupofthetwoelementswaterandearth.

PeoplewithmoreKaphaintheirconsCtuConstendtobeoflargerproporCons,witharobustframeandpaddedjoints,thicksmoothskinthatmaytendtowardsoiliness,andrich,wavyhair.Theyarestableandcalminthought,speechandacCon,andareeasy‐goingandsupporCveinrelaConships.Thereisanelementofsteadinesstotheirstep,aqualityofserenityintheirsmile.Loyaltyisusuallytheirsecondname.Theyarelong,heavysleepersanduncomfortableindamp,clammyenvironments.CalmandsweetnessofdisposiConarehallmarksofbalancedKapha.

IfyourprakriCororiginalconsCtuConhasmoreKaphainit,youwillexhibitmanyofthecharacterisCcsandqualiCesofKaphawhenyouareinbalancethanpeoplewhohavemorePi:aorVataintheirmake‐up.Andthat'snatural.ButifthequaliCesbecomeextreme,ormorepronouncedthanusualatagivenCme,thentheKaphainyouhasinalllikelihoodbecomeaggravatedorimbalanced,andneedstobebroughtbackintobalance.AndifapredominantlyVataorPi:apersonstartsexhibiCngmanyKaphaqualiCes,thatindicatesaKaphaimbalanceinthatVataorPi:abodytype.Inbothcases,itisthenCmetofollowaKapha‐balancingdietandlifestyletohelprestorethelevelofKaphainthephysiologytoitsnormalproporCon.

FactorsthatcancauseKaphadoshatoincreaseinthephysiologyincludeadietthatcontainstoomanydeep‐fried,sweetorheavyfoods,over‐consumpConofice‐coldfoodsorbeverages,exposuretocoldanddamp,dayCmesleep,andlackofexercise.

KaphaDoshaOverview

Kapha

TheDoshasandtheirsubtypes:Kapha

KaphaDoshaistheforcebehindstructureandstabilityofthebody.ItismadeupofWaterandEarth.Kaphaisheavy,cold,moist,staCc,smoothandsoU.Kapha'smostimportantresidence‐it'sroots‐isintheupperhalfofthestomach.

Foodslistedas“Best”canbeeatenwithoutreservaCononadailybasis.Foodslistedas“inModeraCon”canbeeateninsmallporConsfairlyoUenorinlargeporConsonceortwiceaweek.

Foodslistedas“Avoid”canbeeatenonrareoccasions–it’snotwhatyoudooneinawhilethatma:ers,longtermhabitsdetermineoneshealth.Healthyhabitscreatehealthylife,whereasBadhabitscreatebadhealth

Overview

Vata Kapha

Pi:a

BasicPrincipalsQuali&estoreduce:Cold,dry&heavyBestTaste:Pungent&sourModera&on:Salty&astringentAvoidTaste:Sweet&bi:er

Grains–itisbesttoeatthefollowinggrainsascookedor.Smallamountsofdrybreadmaybeeaten.Best:Amaranth,barley,basmaCrice,brownrice,buckwheat,quinoa&wildriceModera&on:Millet&rye.Avoid:Cornflour(chips,breadandtorCllas)dryoats(granola),rice(sCcky,shortorlonggrain)&wheat

Dairy–it’sbesttouseorganicorrawdairyproductswhenavailable.Milkshouldbetakenwarmwithasmallamountofgingerandcardamom.Best:Bu:ermilk,ghee,milk(2%)&low‐fatyoghurt.Modera&on:Kefir,sourcream&whole‐milkyoghurt.Avoid:Bu:er,cheeses,co:agecheese,Icecream&frozenyoghurt.

Sweeteners–ModeraConisimportantwhenusingsweeteners,asoveruseofeventhebestsweetenerswilleventuallycauseanimbalance.Best:Honey.Modera&on:Jaggery,molasses&sucanat.Avoid:Datesugar,dextrose,fructose,grapesugar,maltose,maplesugar,maplesyrup,ricesyrup&whitetablesugar.

Oils–Oilsareveryimportantandshouldbeusedabundantlyiftheskinisdry.Theyalleviatedrynessandaregenerallyheavyandnourishing.Thoughgenerallyheavier,thelighteroilswillnotaggravateKapha.GheeshouldbeusedwithwarmspicesBest:Flaxseed,gheemustard&safflower.Modera&on:Almond,canola,castor,corn,margarine,olive,peanut,sesame&soy.Avoid:Avocado,coconut,lard&sunflower.

Vata

Vata/KaphaFoodProgram

Kapha

Fruits–Fruitsarebestwhentheyaresourandnotoverlyripenedorsweet.Thesewillbringbalancetobothdoshas.Duetotheircoolingeffectsonthebody,theyshouldbegenerallytakeninsmallamounts.Fruitsthatarelistedasbestmaybeconsumedinlargeramounts.FruitsingeneralshouldnotbeastapleoftheVata/Kaphadiet,butareallrightforoccasionaluse.Best:Apricots,grapefruits,lemon&papaya.Modera&on:Apples(balkedisbest),bananas(sour),blueberries,blackberries,cranberries,cherries,lime,mango,oranges(sour),pineapple,plums(sour),pomegranate,prunes,raspberries&tangerines.Avoid:Avocado,banana(sweet)coconut,dates,figs,grapes(sweet),jujube,melons*(watermelons&cantaloupe),oranges(sweet),nectarines,peaches,pears,persimmons,plums(sweet),raisins&strawberries.*=Ifconsumed,melonsshouldbeeatenaloneasameal,andnotbemixedwithotherfoods.

Vegetables–Cookedvegetablesarethebestastheyareeasiertodigest.However,occasionaluseofrawvegetablescanbeeaten,aslongasthereisnoconsCpaConorgas.Best:ArCchoke(withaspicy,oilydressing),beets,carrots,cauliflower,chilipeppers,corn(fresh),greenbeans,leeks,mungbeansprouts,mustardgreens,onion,parsley,potato,radish,sunflowersprouts&tomato.cilantro,corn,JerusalemarCchoke,leeks,okra,Onion(cooked),potato,pumpkin,seaweed,squash(acorn,winter,crookneck,zucchini,etc),sunflowersprouts,&vineripenedtomato.Modera&on:Alfalfasprouts,avocado,bellpeppers,broccoli,Brusselssprouts,celery,cilantro,kale,le:uce,mushrooms,okra,peas(green&snow)Swedes,seaweed,spinach,squash(zucchini&crookneck),Swisschard&turnips.Avoid:Asparagus,bi:ermelon,cabbage,cucumber,eggplant,JerusalemarCchokes,squash(acorn&winter)sweetpotato&yams

Nutsandseeds–TheseshouldbeeatenlightlydryroastedtoassistdigesConandonlyverylightlysalted,ifatall.Nutbu:ers,exceptpeanutbu:er,mayalsobeeaten.Best:Pumpkinsseeds,sunflowerseeds&pinon(pinenuts).Modera&on:FilbertsAvoid:Almonds,brazil,Cashews,coconut,lotusseeds,macadamia,peanuts,pecans,pistachiowalnuts

Vata/KaphaFoodProgram

Vata

Kapha

Meats–repeatedresearchshowsthatdietsthataremeatfreeandmoreplant‐basedpreventmanydiseases.AyurvedaandYogaemphasizeavegetariandietprimarilyforspiritualreasons.Hence,omnivoresshouldlimittheintakeofmeatinthediet.PaCentswhoareweakshouldtakethemasasoupbroth.Best:None.Modera&on:Chicken&turkey(darkmeat),Fish(bothfreshwaterandsea)Avoid:Beef,duck,pork,lamb&shellfish.

Legumes‐Legumesarebesttakenwellcooked,astheycanbehardtodigest.Ideally,soakyourlegumes8‐10hourspriortocookingthem,asitwillreducetheirgas‐prompCngproperCes.IfdigesConisweek,thoselistedas“best”shouldbetakeninsmallamounts.Best:Mungbeans,soymilk,tempeh&tofu.Modera&on:NoneAvoid:Adukibeans,blackbeans,blackgram,chickpeas,Favabeans,kidneybeans,lenCls(red,yellowgreen&French),limabeans,navybeans,pintobeans,soybeans(excepttofuandsoymilk)&splitordrypeas.

Spices–spicesaidthedigesConandabsorpConofnutrientsandimprovetheflavor.WarmandhotspicesarerecommendedforVata/Kaphatypes.Itistheoveralleffectofspicingthatisthemostimportantandnottheindividualspiceused.Iffoodbecomestoohot,itmaycontributetofurtherdryness.Therefore,foodsshouldneverbetoospicyortoobland..Best:Allspice,anise,asofoeCda,basil,bayleaf,blackpepper,caraway,catnip,cayenne,celeryseed,chamomile,clove,coriander,cumin,currypowder,dill,fennel,fenugreek,garlic,ginger,horseradish,hyssop,lemonverbena,marjoram,mustardseed,nutmeg,oregano,paprika,parsley,peppermint,poppyseeds,rosemary,saffron,sage,spearmint,staranise,tarragonthyme&turmeric.Modera&on:Salt.Avoid:None

Condiments.Best:Mayonnaise&vinegar.Modera&on:TomatoKetchup.Avoid:Carob&chocolate.

Beverages.Best:3or4cupsofroomtemperatureorwarmwaterperday.Spicyteassuchaschamomile,cinnamon,clove&ginger.Modera&on:Dilutedfruitjuices.Avoid:Allalcohol,blackteas,carbonatedmineral,coffee,fruitjuices&soUdrinks.

Vata/Pi:aFoodProgram

Vata

Kapha

Condiments.Best:Vinegar.Modera&on:TomatoKetchup,carob(withpropersweeteners)&chocolate(withpropersweeteners).Avoid:Mayonnaise.

Beverages–Beveragesarebesttakenatroomtemperatureorwarm–nottoohot.Nevertakeiceddrinks–eveninthesummer.Best:Chamomiletea,licoricetea,minttea,spicyteas&waterModera&on:Sourfruitjuices(cranberry,lemon,lime,pineapple&pomegranate)&vegetablejuices.Dilutedfruitjuicesarepreferred.Avoid:Allalcohol,blackteas,coffee(decaffeinatedandcaffeinated),greentea,soUdrinks,sweetfruitjuices&soUdrinks(soda).

Vata/Pi:aFoodProgram

Vata

Kapha