Ayurveda: Know Your Dosha

January 19, 2019

It’s often tempting to look for quick fixes instead of working toward real changes. Stepping into the new year I decided that it was time to prioritize my health. For years I struggled with binging. While I’ve overcome my eating disorder, I still struggle with being mindful of what I put into my body. That’s how I came across the Ayurvedic Diet.

Bad habits catch up with you eventually.

I’ll be turning 24 soon and I’m becoming increasingly aware of the limitations of my own body. For starters, I have the knees of a geriatric bricklayer and the metabolism of a brown-throated sloth. So I’ve been doing a bit of research just trying to find a little direction. You heard it here first: The Ayurvedic Diet is going to be a big deal in 2019.

The Ayurvedic Diet isn’t a diet in the way we often interpret the term ‘diet’, so don’t expect major weight changes — if that’s what you’re hoping for. What it does is provide you with a plan of action tailored specifically to you.

How? Well for that you need to figure out your dosha.

Your dosha is your Ayurvedic body type. The three doshas are Vata (air and ether), Pita (fire and water), and Kapha (water and earth). And while all of this might sound mystical and nebulous, it’s not. Ayurveda is a science and has been practiced for thousands of years. Over the last decade, it has started enjoying some mainstream popularity, primarily because it works but also because celebrities are into it.

The most accurate way to determine your dosha is through a detailed history and physical by an ayurvedic physician. I settled for a quiz to determine mine.

Each dosha has a unique set of characteristics and requirements. Once you know your dosha you can work it into taking a holistic approach towards your health. Ayurvedic diet guides you on what foods to eat and which ones to avoid. It also provides insights into your internal clock.

The Ayurvedic Diet will help your mind, body, and soul reach peak performance levels.

My dosha is Vata, which is cold, light and irregular. It means that stress can lead to cycles of self-pity and insomnia. To balance my Vata I need to make choices that bring warmth, stability, and consistency to my life. This means sticking to a routine and living with structure. I’m talking early bedtimes, regulating my meal times and incorporating spices and dairy into my meals. Also, physical activity. Loads and loads of it.

All of these suggestions are easy to incorporate and don’t require me to step out of my comfort zone. In fact, all I need to do is slow down and listen to my body. An Ayurvedic diet serves a purpose greater than telling you what to eat, it’s a way to attune your life to your body and soul.