Basic Elements of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the most ancient and traditional science. The basic principles of Ayurveda deal with the natural way of living a healthy life. People are understanding how difficult is to survive in today's world without any disease. In that case Ayurveda teaches the perfect way of leading a healthy life. The knowledge of ayurveda is divided into eight parts. Hence it is also known as Ashtanga Ayurveda. These are as follows: Kaya, Bal, Graha, Urdhwa, Shalya, Dhanstra, Jara, Vrishan. According to Ayurveda's basic concept of human body there are seven body types. They are as follows:

Every individual has a unique combination of these three Doshas. To understand the uniqueness of every individual is the very basis of Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda all humans are governed by three vital principles, which regulate and control the biological functions. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. According to Ayurveda, doshas are of vital importance because they are responsible for coordinating, guiding and directing all the structures and substances of the body. Proper understanding and knowledge of the doshas give us the understanding of the functioning of the intelligence that commands the dhatus (body tissues) and malas (waste products) and gives the body its vast functional capability. The theory of three doshas is the basic foundation of Ayurvedic science and its diagnosis and treatment modalities. The main functions of the following three doshas are as follows:

All motions, transportation and electromagnetic activities are controlled by vata. Whereas Pitta represents fire principle and is concerned with process of conversion, consumption and other chemical changes taking place in the living body. Kapha is the principle of water and as such every living cell is pervaded by it in order to perform their functions. Each of the three doshas has its own unique characters, which are contrary to each other so as to maintain the equilibrium.