What Is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a complete healing system that is focused on giving us

tools and practices to create health on a daily basis by using us
innate healing ability. In doing so, it allows us to thrive physically,
emotionally, and spiritually. Ayurveda originates from ancient
Eastern philosophies that describe the nature of reality, the 'laws'
of the natural world (of which we are part of) and how we can use
the principles of nature for healing. Although some religions are
based on these same philosophies, Ayurveda is not based on any
religion, and people of all religions (or no religion) can benefit from
an Ayurvedic lifestyle to achieve optimal health.
According to Ayurveda, a person’s health is based on their dosha —
a balance of the five elements of the world known as air, earth,
space, water, and fire.

The Five Great Elements (‘ Panchamahabhutas’)

Ayurveda revolves around the concept that everything in the
universe is made up of varying proportions of five basic elements.
This may seem simplistic but it is a sophisticated way to classify all
matter found on earth.
1. Space/ether
is empty, allowing movement and communication.
Includes all space in the body include mouth, nose, gastrointestinal
tract, lungs and abdomen. It is associated with sound and the sense
of hearing. A dietary example predominant in this element is
popcorn.
2. Air
 is energy and is responsible for all movement within the body.
It governs the nervous system and is responsible for respiration,
ingestion and elimination. It is responsible for the sense of touch
and the skin. Examples include the various gases in the body and
pulses which can create gases!
3. Fire
is radiant energy and is responsible for body temperature,
transformation, digestion, absorption and assimilation of thoughts
as well as food. It is associated with the sense of vision and the eye.
Includes all spices such as ginger, pepper, and garlic.
4. Water
is fluid and binds everything together. Essentially, it is
anything fluid in the body such as plasma, intercellular fluid, urine,
sweat and saliva. Furthermore, it is responsible for the sense of
taste. Diet examples include milk and fruits.
5. Earth
gives stability, structure, strength and stamina to our
bodies in the form of bones, teeth, skin etc. and is responsible for
the sense of smell and the nose. Diet examples are rice, wheat,
carrots, and beetroot.
Whether we are talking about diet, the weather or yoga, all things
can be described in terms of these five elements. Ayurveda easily
utilise plants, herbs, minerals, food and water. Substances found in
our own underlying make-up. Using the idea of the 5 elements, we
can start to understand what foods might help us and which might
cause problems.
For example, if a person was very predominant in the fire element,
with rosy cheeks and a tendency to overheat, they would do best to
minimise spicy food and other sources of heat, such as sunbathing
and saunas. Similarly, fresh ginger root, which is warming, can be
used to help a person predominant in the air and ether elements
which are both cold by nature. High-impact exercise, which is
stimulating and warming, would help someone predominant in the
earth and water elements, which are both cold and heavy.