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Hazel Bell

Natural at Heart

Crookabeck Farm

Patterdale, Cumbria

CA11 0NP


Holistic Relaxation in the Lake District from Hazel Bell

T: 01768 482278  E: hazel@naturalatheart.co.uk

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What is Ayurveda ?

Ayurveda means 'the art of living wisely' and is an ancient system of holistic healing which originates in India. It recognises that we are unique and focuses on lifestyle adjustments to suit our individual needs.

According to Ayurveda, the human body is comprised of five elements found in nature: Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth; which in the following combinations form three 'doshas' called: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Although we are made up of the same elements, we are not all the same. This is because doshas are rarely present in equal proportions, and we are all born with our own unique ratio. One or two will dominate. This distinct combination gives us our natural constitution. It determines what we look like, our temperament, our character, how we sleep and how we approach and deal with situations.

Dosha means 'fault' as it indicates an excess in one or two elements in our body. The balance of the doshas constantly shifts due to surrounding influences, reflecting your current state of health. If left unchecked, the dosha will increase and become imbalanced. Prolonged imbalance leads to illness. Health is achieved by keeping your doshas balanced.

We will have the natural quirks and issues related to our own dosha combination, but we will be healthy and happy. When our dominant dosha increases, we become extreme versions of ourselves.

Here is my simplistic representation of the doshas with a Lake District slant.



VATA

Vata Qualities: Dry, light, rough, subtle, mobile.

Thin and body type is ‘slight’  -  Difficulty gaining weight   -  Skin tends to be dry and with cold hands/feet  - Features are small and fine - When healthy, has a lot of energy and enthusiasm but focusing can be difficult - Prone to feeling nervous and anxious - Tend towards constipation - Tend to be a light  sleeper - Happier in warmer climates.


Vata Health


Massage daily (5-10 minutes) with sesame seed oil to nourish the nervous system - Drink chamomile tea to calm - Dry/damaged skin-requires deep moisturising - Establish a routine - Creative hobbies - Wrap up warm avoiding wind and draughts - Avoid cold, carbonated, dry foods - Relaxing activities; such as yoga and steam rooms - Favour warm drinks and moist foods which are naturally sweet and salty - Avoid caffeine.


PITTA

Pitta Qualities: Oily, sharp, light, mobile, liquid.

Moderate weight and build with good muscle tone - Weight is steady and fluctuations are small - Skin tends to be oily - Often feels warm and sweats easily - Complexion is rosy - When healthy, has a lot of energy and very focused - Prone to feeling irritated, angry and resentful - Tendency towards diarrhoea and burning digestion - Sleep well and wake up easily - I prefer cooler climates.



Pitta Health


Massage daily (5-10 mins) with coconut oil to cool and revive - Drink peppermint and fennel tea to sooth digestion - Skin is prone to inflammation and spots-so requires daily cleansing and soothing - Eat light, bitter and astringent foods - Avoid dark meats and pungent, salty, sour foods - Drink aloe vera juice to clear heat from the digestive tract - Drink cooling peppermint tea and cook with cooling coconut oil - Avoid confrontation and competitive environments.



KAPHA

Kapha qualities: Wet, oily, cool, heavy, slow, sticky, soft, steady

Has a 'stocky' build - Difficulty losing weight - Skin tends to be silky, smooth and plump with a tendency oily skin and excess cellulite - Often feels cold and sweats easily - Complexion is pale - Moves slowly and has a lot of endurance - Prone to feeling lethargic and depressed - Digestion is generally good - Sleeps deeply and has a difficult time waking up - Prone to mucus, sinus problems/respiratory disorders



Kapha Health


Give yourself a daily invigorating massage (5-10 mins) with sesame seed oil - Drink cinnamon, cardamom and ginger spiced tea if feeling sluggish - Avoid overeating and dairy products - Increase bitter, astringent, and pungent foods (spices) - Avoid turning to food when stressed - Enjoy aerobic exercise and vigorous forms of yoga - Try something new every day, such as travelling to new places.



Am I Vata?

  1. I am thin and my body build is "slight".
  2. I have a difficult time gaining weight or I am like a yo-yo going up & down.
  3. My skin tends to be dry.
  4. I feel cold often compared to others and I do not sweat very easily.
  5. My features are small and fine.
  6. I tend towards constipation.
  7. My speech is erratic, enthusiastic & fast.
  8. When I am healthy I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm but focusing can be difficult.
  9. I am prone to feeling nervous or anxious.
  10. I tend to be a light sleeper.


Am I Pitta?

  1. I am of moderate weight and my build is moderate with good muscle tone.
  2. My weight is steady and fluctuations are small.
  3. My skin tends to be oily
  4. I often feel warm and sweat easily
  5. My complexion is rosy.
  6. I tend towards diarrhoea or burning digestion.
  7. My speech is clear, sharp and measured.
  8. When I am healthy I have a lot of energy and I am very focused
  9. I am prone to feeling irritated, angry and resentful.
  10. I sleep well and wake up easily.


Am I Kapha?

  1. I am a "stocky" build and I often carry some extra weight.
  2. It is difficult to lose weight.
  3. My skin tends to be oily.
  4. I often feel cold and sweat easily.
  5. My complexion is pale.
  6. My digestion is generally good though I may occasionally have some constipation.
  7. My speech is slow and clear.
  8. I move slowly and have a lot of endurance.
  9. I am prone to feeling lethargic and depressed.
  10. I sleep deeply and sometimes have a difficult time waking up.


What Dosha am I ?


To find out which dosha is dominant why not fill out my simple Ayurvedic Dosha Questionnaire. As you fill in the questionnaire, give yourself two points if a statement is clearly true of you. Give yourself one point if it is somewhat true. Give yourself no points if it is clearly not true.



How can Ayurveda help ?


To achieve balance try and follow some of these simple guidelines in your daily life.


If you’d like to find out more about Ayurveda I recommend reading the great book by Sebastian Pole, “A Pukka life - Finding your path to perfect health”  which has provided me with much inspiration and knowledge.

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