Dosha, Dosha, Dosha

Ayurvedic is an ancient science.  Ayurveda dates back thousands of years in India, and has since spread across the world, shaping and improving many lives.  Mine included.

The core of Ayurvedic is focused on prevention.

It is based on the concept that general health and wellness rely on a delicate balance between our body, mind and soul.  To do so, it employs a holistic approach that combines diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.  If you have been searching for a balanced approach to your overall health, you are in the right place.

Central to Ayurvedic, there is a system known as dosha.  The word dosha means energy.  It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to specify how certain people should eat, sleep, exercise, and what their emotional strengths and weaknesses may be.  It refers to each person’s unique physical and mental makeup, which affects their health and happiness.

The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Everyone has a combination of two doshas, with one more dominant than the other.  Think of each dosha like a two-way scale.  As long as your dosha is in balance, you will enjoy a healthier, more balanced life. However, when the scale is out of balance, it can cause physical and emotional distress.

My Ayurvedic journey started when my husband and I had an introductory taste of it, during our visit to India in late 2014.  The experience was magical!  Many months later, we chanced upon an Ayurvedic center in Bangsar, and we decided to give it a go.

My Ayurvedic doctor is this gentleman from Kerala, India. I cannot remember his name anymore, but what I remember is how kind he looks. Upon arrival, we were given a self-assessment questionnaire which was more than 10 pages long! I had to answer extensive series of questions pertaining to everything, from my skin type to my eating habits, from my favourite weather to my attention span.  My doctor also used other diagnostic methods, starting with looking at my appearance, and inspecting me (that was awkward!).  He then checked my pulse, my tongue, my eyes and ears. He asked me many personal questions.  I felt like we were on our first date, getting to know me. LOL!

After the lengthy examinations, I discover that I inherit a blend of Vata and Pitta.  Vata being the dominant dosha, is an element of air or wind.  It’s an energetic dosha linked with flexibility, and free-flowing spirit.  People with Vata dosha, as the main life force tend to:

• Have a naturally cold and dry body;
• Have a naturally thin frame with cracking joints;
• Be hyperactive, and have a hard time sitting in one place for too long;
• Have a friendly nature, welcome new experiences, excitable and energetic;
• Often stay up late and have trouble sleeping because the mind refuses to stop working. As a result, will wake up in the morning with high cortisol level; and
• Suffer from bloating or gas because of excess wind in the body. Like the wind, appetite is irregular.  This brings trouble in digesting food because of a weak digestive fire.

And guess what? I was all the above!  Then it all made sense – the sleep troubles, the flatulence, the skin problems, the endless sneezing and joint pains. The growing realization just blew my mind.

My good doctor then created a Treatment Plan specifically designed for me.  The goal of the treatment is to cleanse my body of undigested food, which can stay in your body and lead to illness. The ‘cleansing’ process is designed to reduce your symptoms and restore harmony and balance.  To achieve this, I had to rely on massages, medical oils and herbs. I particularly love ‘shirodhara’, the treatment that pours warm oil on the forehead, as well as the warm herbal compress massages.

I was advised to take turmeric with a pinch of fenugreek, every morning to boost my immune system and alleviate any inflammatory conditions in my body. 

Inflammation can be caused by a lack of sleep (or just poor-quality sleep), digestive issues, and unhealthy diets.  Ayurveda’s focus on nutrition, sleep, and mindfulness has the potential to reduce inflammation by addressing its underlying causes.

I was prescribed food choices (what to eat, what to avoid), lifestyle guidelines, and even recommended exercise regime. My doctor suggested that I manage stress through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi and all things slow and steady.  Anyone who knows me, know that I am one who love energetic workouts like boxing, spinning, running.  Yoga and tai chi were not my thing, but I succumbed.  I succumbed because I wanted to get the better.

Fast forward to 2021, when Covid-19 is still terrorizing the world, I have never felt stronger, healthier and most importantly, I am happier and calmer!  I thank my good doctor for making me take charge of my health.  I should visit the center one day, and see if he is still working there, to thank him personally.  But I will wait till MCO 3.0 is lifted.