The human body is the product of five elements of nature: Akasha i.e. Space; Vayu i.e Air; Agni i.e Fire; Jal i.e. Water; Prithvi i.e. Earth.
The three doshas are naturally dynamic, which means that they constantly respond to changes in your life. The biggest changes occur seasonally, and summer is the season when Pitta dosha is strongly affected, because heat and humidity are two qualities that summer shares with Pitta, which is warm and moist. Summer heat can easily aggravate Pitta, so you want to pay special attention during this season.
Ayurveda is the traditional healing system from India that is literally translated as ‘the science of life.’ Through healthy daily practices and aligning with natural rhythms, one can prevent disease and create health on a daily basis. And although the outcome of Ayurvedic lifestyle and medical treatment is a healthy body and mind, the true aim of Ayurveda is to connect us to a deeper experience of who we are.
For the Ask Dr. Sheila column, Dr. Sheila Patel, Chopra’s Chief Medical Officer, answers questions from our community. If you have a general question for Sheila around health and wellness, please send an email to askdrsheila@chopra.com, and your question may be the one she answers next.
“Know, Oh Arjuna, that the mode of darkness is born of ignorance, confusing all embodied beings. Through distraction, sleep, and laziness, it binds.” (Bha.Gi.14.8)
For many of us, ringing in the new year with fresh resolutions is a great opportunity to bring awareness and attention to our aspirations to break free from our current unhealthy habits.
Every month, Dr. Sheila, Chopra’s Chief Medical Officer, will be answering questions from our followers. If you have a general question for her around health and wellness, please send us an email to askdrsheila@chopra.com, and your question may be the one she answers next month.
In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re in the midst of Vata season, with cold, windy days that increase the Vata dosha in the body, mind, and emotions. If you accumulate too much Vata, you’re likely to feel nervous, spacy, or overstimulated. To keep your Vata in balance, start your day with a grounding breakfast routine to feel rooted, warm, and nourished.
This is the third installment of our series, Ayurveda for Millennials.