What Do We Mean By Balancing The Doshas?


by Helen Thomas - Date: 2007-02-22 - Word Count: 587 Share This!

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.


Related Tags: depression, anxiety, insomnia, constipation, dry skin, ayurveda, hives, liver diseases

http://www.drhelenthomas.com Hi I am a practicing Chiropractor for the last 25 years. Ayurveda came into my life in 1984. I have studyied with the best in the nation and the best in India. It is a practice that takes a lifetime to become a master. I love teaching it and practicing it. The results in everyday practice are phenomenal. It is a healthcare science that as a doctor of Chiropractic I was prepared to take it on as my specialty. It gives me so much as a human being and supports me as a professional and serves my community with such grace.

California License to Practice Chiropractic 1983
Bachelors From California Institute of Integral Studies Focus Ayurveda
Trained In Practicing Ayurveda in California for fifteen years.
First Ayurved Formal education : Maharishi Ayurved 1985-current.
Trained with VaidyaCharya Ragu New Delhi, India teacher for Pulse Training
Assistant to Vaidya Triguna for pulse in the US.
Vaidya Sharma Jyotish New Delhi, Vaidyas Narendra /Aruna Pendse PUNE, India

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