What Do We Mean By Balancing The Doshas?
Many practitioners and books on Ayurveda talk about balancing the doshas.
This term is somewhat confusing, because it could be interpreted as trying to give yourself equal amounts of all three.
Not only is that impossible-it would be going against your inborn nature-but it would be quite dull to have everyone so similar! The idea is to find the "balance" that is right for you, first by correcting any severe imbalances in your vikruti and then by maintaining your new balanced condition by following the daily routine that's tailored to your prakruti.
Another term used frequently is pacifying the doshas.
This, too, is not quite accurate because a dosha could be de¬pleted rather than aggravated, in which case you want to elevate it, not calm it down.
That's why we prefer to use the term stabilize-this more accurately reflects what Ayurvedic practices are really trying to do.
By stabilizing aggravated or diminished doshas, you create the balance you seek.
This will answer the question, What's out of balance that needs stabilizing? Take this part of the test once now and then again every three months to monitor your progress.
When determining your vikruti, identify your problem areas by focusing on symptoms that are occurring now or that have occurred consistently within the last" two weeks.
The lists we have provided are not all the possible symptoms you might experience; rather they represent those most typical of the particular doshas because this is the best way to target imbalances.
There are many more symptoms that are common to all three doshas-for example, headache-but that have subtly different charateristics.
Note that the symptoms in the test reflect the elements that comprise the doshas.
For example, vata imbalances reflect the drying, airy, disruptive powers of the wind.
Pitta imbalances reflect the burning action of fire.
Kapha imbalances reflect the heaviness and stagnation of water.
The location of the symptoms are also clues.
Although all three doshas are found in every cell in every part of the body, doshas tend to concentrate in certain areas, and therefore symptoms tend to occur in those parts of the body where the dosha dwells.
Vata is primarily found in the lower part of the torso, particularly in the colon; intestinal gas, pain, or constipation is a telltale sign of a vata imbalance.
Pitta is primarily found in the middle third of the torso, and the small intestine is considered to be the seat; imbalances show up as burning sensations (heartburn, ulcers) in the digestive tract.
Kapha, on the other hand, dwells mostly in the upper part of the torso, and thus aggravated kapha often produces chest problems such as congestion.
However, this is not an iron clad rule, since the doshas permeate the body and their interaction can push and pull symptoms to distant sites.
Scoring As you take the test, score yourself based on how often the symptom has occurred in the last week or two, and whether the symptom is strong, moderate, or weak.
Use the following scale: 3 = Strong, frequent 2 = Moderate 1= Weak, infrequent 0 = Not at all Worried Tired, yet wired Can't relax Can't concentrate Anxious, fearful Nervous Agitated mind Impatient Spaced-out Self-defeating Antsy or hyperactive Shy, insecure Restless Indecisive Angry Irritable Hostile Enraged Destructive Impatient Critical of self and others Argumentative Bossy, controlling Frustrated Willful Aggressive Vain Reckless Sluggish thinking Dull thinking Groggy all day Apathetic, no desire Depressed Slow to comprehend Sad Slow to react Procrastinating Clingy, hanging on to people and ideas Sentimental Greedy Possessive Materialistic Copyright © Dr.
Helen Thomas 2007.
All rights reserved.
This term is somewhat confusing, because it could be interpreted as trying to give yourself equal amounts of all three.
Not only is that impossible-it would be going against your inborn nature-but it would be quite dull to have everyone so similar! The idea is to find the "balance" that is right for you, first by correcting any severe imbalances in your vikruti and then by maintaining your new balanced condition by following the daily routine that's tailored to your prakruti.
Another term used frequently is pacifying the doshas.
This, too, is not quite accurate because a dosha could be de¬pleted rather than aggravated, in which case you want to elevate it, not calm it down.
That's why we prefer to use the term stabilize-this more accurately reflects what Ayurvedic practices are really trying to do.
By stabilizing aggravated or diminished doshas, you create the balance you seek.
This will answer the question, What's out of balance that needs stabilizing? Take this part of the test once now and then again every three months to monitor your progress.
When determining your vikruti, identify your problem areas by focusing on symptoms that are occurring now or that have occurred consistently within the last" two weeks.
The lists we have provided are not all the possible symptoms you might experience; rather they represent those most typical of the particular doshas because this is the best way to target imbalances.
There are many more symptoms that are common to all three doshas-for example, headache-but that have subtly different charateristics.
Note that the symptoms in the test reflect the elements that comprise the doshas.
For example, vata imbalances reflect the drying, airy, disruptive powers of the wind.
Pitta imbalances reflect the burning action of fire.
Kapha imbalances reflect the heaviness and stagnation of water.
The location of the symptoms are also clues.
Although all three doshas are found in every cell in every part of the body, doshas tend to concentrate in certain areas, and therefore symptoms tend to occur in those parts of the body where the dosha dwells.
Vata is primarily found in the lower part of the torso, particularly in the colon; intestinal gas, pain, or constipation is a telltale sign of a vata imbalance.
Pitta is primarily found in the middle third of the torso, and the small intestine is considered to be the seat; imbalances show up as burning sensations (heartburn, ulcers) in the digestive tract.
Kapha, on the other hand, dwells mostly in the upper part of the torso, and thus aggravated kapha often produces chest problems such as congestion.
However, this is not an iron clad rule, since the doshas permeate the body and their interaction can push and pull symptoms to distant sites.
Scoring As you take the test, score yourself based on how often the symptom has occurred in the last week or two, and whether the symptom is strong, moderate, or weak.
Use the following scale: 3 = Strong, frequent 2 = Moderate 1= Weak, infrequent 0 = Not at all Worried Tired, yet wired Can't relax Can't concentrate Anxious, fearful Nervous Agitated mind Impatient Spaced-out Self-defeating Antsy or hyperactive Shy, insecure Restless Indecisive Angry Irritable Hostile Enraged Destructive Impatient Critical of self and others Argumentative Bossy, controlling Frustrated Willful Aggressive Vain Reckless Sluggish thinking Dull thinking Groggy all day Apathetic, no desire Depressed Slow to comprehend Sad Slow to react Procrastinating Clingy, hanging on to people and ideas Sentimental Greedy Possessive Materialistic Copyright © Dr.
Helen Thomas 2007.
All rights reserved.
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