If you suffer from any kind of chronic pain or illness, it’s invaluable to understand what kind of energetic imbalances may be at the root of your health problems.  A skilled Ayurvedic practitioner can “read” your pulse and get an instant picture of your doshas, a Sanksrit word that refers to the energetic organizing principles of all life. When the practitioner takes your pulse, he is feeling the state of balance or imbalance in the doshas.

When you meet a pulse master, he or she will greet you and then place their fingers on your wrist for a few or several seconds. Then the practitioner will share her assessment of your overall health based on any imbalances she finds in vata, pitta, and kapha. Briefly, vata is composed of air and space, and it is the principle of mobility. Pitta, comprised of fire and water, is the principle of heat that manages digestion and metabolism. And kapha, comprised of earth and water, is the principle of structure and stability – your cells, tissues and bones. A number of distinct health problems are associated with imbalances in each dosha.

Here’s just one example: did you ever wonder why you’re cold all the time, anxious, can’t fall asleep at night, have a “bad back” and suffer from constipation? If you have some or all of symptoms and possibly others, you’re experiencing a cluster of ailments all associated with high vata.

Once you understand the imbalances in your body/mind, you will have a greater ability to choose foods that are right for you, based on the Ayurvedic model.  Western science proclaims that certain foods are good for everybody.  “Tomatoes are high in anti-oxidants. Eat more tomatoes!”  But Ayurveda takes a different and more subtle approach, recognizing that certain foods increase or decrease each dosha. In this paradigm, it becomes clear that what’s medicine for one person may be poison for another.  Sticking with tomatoes for a moment: people with high pitta tend to have an inflammatory response to tomatoes, which increases joint pain, acne, and irritability.  With support from an Ayurvedic practitioner – and Sacred & Delicious – you can learn how to tailor your diet to fit your doshic profile. help you maintain wellness or overcome many chronic health problems. In the case of illness, your Ayurvedic practitioner will also recommend herbs that directly address your problems by bringing a natural balance back to the doshas. And your practitioner will recommend a detoxification and rejuvenation program called panchakarma, the topic for another blog.