| "Get over it" says a well meaning friend, unknowingly | | | | first indication usually shows up as a tendency to get |
| stoking the raging fire burning within me. Why am I | | | | annoyed. |
| angry? Well, I'm not really sure. | | | | So, okay, according to this perspective each of us is |
| Of course I could come up with half a dozen little | | | | influenced by 3 elements, and most of us are more |
| things that I'm not happy with at the moment, and then | | | | heavily influenced by one in particular, but what does |
| we could go into the influence of cellular memory, past | | | | that mean for you? |
| life baggage or any number of subtle forces that may | | | | Well, once you figure out which dosha combination |
| or may not be contributing factors. | | | | you're dealing with, this can help build your awareness |
| But really I have no solid reason to be angry. I just am. | | | | and give you ways to avoid getting thrown off, and |
| Sound familiar? Maybe for you it isn't anger. Maybe it's | | | | also to come back in balance when you do fall off |
| anxiety or sadness. You see, these feelings are our | | | | your happy train. |
| imbalanced states of being human. They're not fun, | | | | There are a variety of "What's my Dosha" type tests |
| and they're not actually all that necessary, though like | | | | out there, and even more websites and books willing |
| everything else in life we can learn from them. Very | | | | to tell you what to do about it. Some are better than |
| occasionally these feelings are appropriate, yet not | | | | others. I tend to resonate more with the ones that not |
| nearly as often as the average person falls into them. | | | | only tell you what can go wrong with each dosha, but |
| In Ayurveda, which is a science and healing | | | | also make a point to tell you about the really excellent |
| methodology that has its roots in ancient civilization, the | | | | attributes that can shine through from these elements. |
| human composition is classified as a combination of 3 | | | | The key to finding balance is awareness, and then |
| doshas, or 'mind-body type'. The doshas describe the | | | | having a method and philosophy that can guide you |
| elements at play in each person. They can help us | | | | back to contentedness. Meditation, yoga, exercise, |
| know why we are the way we are, and what to do | | | | mindful breathing, food choices and simple attitude are |
| when things go sideways. | | | | all valid and helpful tools. |
| The three doshas are: | | | | Anusara® yoga offers a very complete approach |
| Vata - Influenced by the element air. Body type tends | | | | that teaches you how to align physically, mentally and |
| to be thin and tall. Strengths of character include quick | | | | emotionally to live a full and enjoyable life. The |
| witted intelligence and bubbly happiness when | | | | principles of this system show you how to take the |
| balanced. Imbalance can manifest as fear or anxiety, | | | | challenges, trip-ups and tragedies of life and turn them |
| and wind related physical conditions. | | | | into opportunities for growth; your own personal epic |
| Pitta - Influenced by the element fire. Body type tends | | | | journey to the truth of who you are. |
| to be strong and compact. Strengths include motivating | | | | Having a solid philosophy, or matrix of perspective, is |
| energy and brightness of spirit. When imbalanced | | | | crucial in order to find your way out of anger, fear, or |
| anger and heat conditions are apparent. | | | | sadness. It can even lead you to a state of being |
| Kapha - Ruled by the water element. Body type tends | | | | where you simply avoid them in the first place. |
| to be sturdy with more curves. Strengths include | | | | You already have something you believe in your heart. |
| nurturing, patience and a generally positive outlook. | | | | It may be at any stage of development, but you know |
| Imbalances can show up as sadness/depression and | | | | when things feel right. The uplifting philosophical |
| conditions of dampness. | | | | teachings of Anusara yoga not only let you believe |
| Now, most of us are combinations of the three, though | | | | what you want, but they support and guide you into a |
| some people fit more completely into one category | | | | more complete relationship with whatever that is. |
| while others are more evenly balanced. Me, I'm mostly | | | | In addition, this yoga helps you balance the elements |
| Pitta-Vata with a bit of Kapha mixed in. I'm pretty | | | | and doshas so that you're more consistently happy, |
| evenly distributed, but if I let myself get thrown off the | | | | and therefore a lot more fun to be around. |