Ayurveda 101

Explore ancient wisdom and modern wellness insights through the healing power of Ayurveda, yoga, and energy work.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old holistic healing system from India that focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit through natural remedies, lifestyle practices, and personalised wellness approaches.

Learn about the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), chakra energy centres, and how to apply these ancient principles to modern life.

Understanding the three doshas

The three doshas — Vata, Pitta and Kapha — are energetic forces believed to govern physical, mental and emotional health. They come from the five great elements (Pancha Mahabhutas): Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Your unique ratio of them is called your constitution, or Prakriti.

Vata · The Energy of Movement

Vata Dosha

Composition: Air and Space (Ether).
Governs: All movement in the body and mind, including circulation, breathing, nerve impulses, and elimination.
Core qualities: Dry, Light, Cold, Rough, Subtle, Mobile, Clear
Traits when balanced: Slender, light build; quick movements; dry skin and hair; often struggles to gain weight. Creative, energetic, quick-thinking, flexible, enthusiastic.
When balanced: Promotes creativity, quick thinking, energy, and flexibility.
When imbalanced (excess): Can lead to fear, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and joint pain.

Pitta · The Energy of Transformation

Pitta Dosha

Composition: Fire and Water.
Governs: Metabolism, digestion, body heat, intelligence, and perception. It is the "fire" that governs chemical processes.
Core qualities: Hot, Sharp, Light, Liquid, Oily, Spreading
Traits when balanced: Medium, muscular build; strong appetite and digestion; warm body temperature; soft, fair or oily skin prone to breakouts. Intelligent, goal-oriented, organized, motivated.
When balanced: Results in sharp intellect, strong leadership skills, efficient metabolism, and radiant skin.
When imbalanced (excess): Can cause fiery emotions like frustration, anger, irritability, and physical issues like inflammation, hyperacidity, rashes, or excessive heat.

Kapha · The Energy of Structure

Kapha Dosha

Composition: Earth and Water.
Governs: Structure, stability, lubrication, and cohesiveness. It is responsible for providing bulk to the tissues, joint lubrication, and maintaining immunity.
Core qualities: Heavy, Slow, Cool, Oily, Smooth, Dense, Soft, Stable
Traits when balanced: Solid, heavier build; tendency to gain weight easily; smooth, thick and cool skin; good stamina and strength. Calm, patient, nurturing, grounded, compassionate.
When balanced: Provides strength, stamina, a calm and grounded demeanour, patience, and loyalty.
When imbalanced (excess): May result in lethargy, stagnation, weight gain, congestion, attachment, and resistance to change.

Ayurvedic cleansing routines

Panchakarma & daily detox guide

The purpose of Ayurvedic cleansing

Ayurvedic cleansing, known as Shodhana (deep cleansing) or Shamana (gentle detox), aims to:

Remove accumulated toxins (Ama)
Restore balance to the Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
Rejuvenate the digestive fire (Agni)
Promote vitality, clarity, and longevity

Types of cleansing routines

A. Daily Gentle Cleansing (Shamana)
B. Seasonal Cleansing (Ritucharya Detox)
C. Targeted Cleansing Protocols

Supportive practices

Yoga: gentle postures (twists, forward bends) to aid detox
Breathing (Pranayama): alternate nostril breathing for balance
Meditation: helps clear mental toxins (stress and negativity)
Sleep: go to bed by 10 PM for optimal cellular repair

Foods to favour

Warm, cooked meals (soups, stews, kitchari)
Spices: cumin, coriander, turmeric, fennel, ginger
Healthy fats: ghee, sesame oil, coconut oil
Fruits: cooked apples, pears, papaya
Herbal teas: detox, CCF (cumin–coriander–fennel), or tulsi

Foods to avoid

Cold or raw foods
Dairy (except ghee)
Processed or fried foods
Caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugar
Leftovers and heavy meats

Post-cleanse care (Rasayana phase)

Reintroduce foods gradually
Continue herbs for rejuvenation: ashwagandha, amalaki, triphala, ghee
Resume moderate physical activity
Focus on stability and nourishment — the mind and body are sensitive post-cleanse

Understanding the chakras

Chakras are spinning wheels of energy located along the spine. Each corresponds to specific organs, emotions and spiritual qualities. When balanced, they promote health and harmony — working alongside your dosha constitution.

Muladhara

Root Chakra

Red · Base of spine · Earth

Grounding · Security · Survival · Stability

Svadhisthana

Sacral Chakra

Orange · Lower abdomen · Water

Creativity · Pleasure · Emotions · Sexuality

Manipura

Solar Plexus

Yellow · Upper abdomen · Fire

Personal power · Confidence · Willpower · Self-esteem

Anahata

Heart Chakra

Green · Centre of chest · Air

Love · Compassion · Forgiveness · Harmony

Vishuddha

Throat Chakra

Blue · Throat · Ether

Communication · Truth · Expression · Authenticity

Ajna

Third Eye

Indigo · Between eyebrows · Light

Intuition · Wisdom · Insight · Imagination

Sahasrara

Crown Chakra

Violet · Top of head · Thought

Spirituality · Consciousness · Unity · Enlightenment

Yoga & balance

Harmonise body and mind through mindful movement and breathwork. The daily asanas live in the wellness centre.

Explore practices

This is general educational information about traditional practices. It is not medical advice and does not replace care from a qualified clinician.