Dans Papers - June 8, 2007

In a world where fad diets and miracle exercise machines promise to provide you with a healthier you, we need to be vigilant about what we sign up for. While marketing and advertising are constantly barraging us with "quick-fix" options, there are alternatives for the conscious thinker. Diets that first emerged on the scene five years ago have no way of tracking long-term results. And isn't that what we're going for? Health in the long term? Some of the most ancient wellness traditions on earth still remain, keeping people living balanced, long lives. Ayurveda is a five-thousand-year-old tradition that originated in India, and is often thought of as "the science of longevity." Literally, Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words "Ayur," which means "life," and "Veda," which means "Science" or "Knowledge."

Ayurvedic principles are based on the theory that all six elements of nature - earth, fire, wind, water, air, and ether - are present in the human body. All of these elements need to be in balance for the body to be at peak physical and spiritual health. Thus, creating an Ayurvedic lifestyle means figuring out what elements are more present in your body and your environment, and how to bring these elements into balance.

Ayurveda recognizes three basic sources of energy that are present in everyone and everything. There are no English words for these three concepts, so we use the Sanskrit terms Vata, Pitta and Kapha. While all three of these energies are present in everyone, one is usually dominant. If the energies become too out of balance, you may experience negative effects.

Vata is the energy of movement, composed of the elements ether and air. Vata is associated with breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, and pulsation of the heart. In balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, it creates fear and anxiety.

Pitta is the energy of digestion, composed of the elements fire and water. It is responsible for digestion, absorption, metabolism, nutrition, and body temperature. In balance, pitta encourages understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, it can arouse feelings like jealousy, anger, and hatred.

Kapha is the energy of lubrication and body structure. It is formed from earth and water. It governs the bones, muscles and tendons and provides the glue that holds the body together. Kapha lubricates the joints and provides moisture to the skin. In balance, kapha manifests itself as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, Kapha may bring about attachment, greed, and envy.

You can tell which is dominant by looking at physical characteristics as well as lifestyle tendencies. For example, my hair and skin have the tendency to become dry, I am long-limbed and flexible, and I have a history of moving around a lot. Vata, the energy of movement, is much more dominant in me. However, my friend has thick, healthy hair and smooth skin. She is shorter and sturdier in body type, and she tends to get comfortable in one place and create a home there. Kapha is more dominant in her.

By knowing what energies are more dominant innately, you are better able to bring your life into balance. When I learned that I had a Vata imbalance, my Ayurvedic consultant, Jolie Parcher, suggested that I eat more olive oil and other healthy oils to replenish the moisture that is lost on Vata types. There are comprehensive lists of what to eat and what to avoid in each season, because the environment will also bring certain energies more into balance.

Ayurveda is about living well and preventing illness and weakness, as opposed to treating or curing disease. However, it is well-respected as one of the most ancient forms of medicine, and by incorporating the Ayurvedic principles into your diet and routine, you may bring to your life the balance it needs to allow you to be the highest form of your Self.

This summer, Ayurveda has come to the Hamptons! Mandala Yoga and Dance Center in Amagansett has branched out into Ayurvedic consulting. The director, Jolie Parcher, has been training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and she is now a certified Ayurvedic Consultant. She meets with students in her new center, MAHA (Mandala Ayurvedic Healing Arts), and offers services including ayurvedic consultations, cleansing herbs, yoga classes, recipes, body care supplies and personalized cleanse plans. To learn more about ayurveda, call Jolie at (631) 267-6144 or log onto www.mandalayoga.com and click on "Ayurveda."