Ayurvedic elements & dosha

Ayurveda is based on the natural elements found on Earth, the elements we see, feel, and hear around us: fire, water, earth, air, and ether (space). We have all experienced each of these elements.

These elements exist not only in the planet, but also in your body, where they represent different components of your physical and mental characteristics. 

 Fire is hot and powerful, while water is fluid and cool. Earth is dense and grounding, while air is light and moving. Ether is the one you can’t see but can feel. It’s the vastness of looking up at the stars on a clear day.  It’s your intuition. Ayurveda uses these elements as references to explain all aspects of your physical and mental well-being. 

Each of us is born with a certain amount of these elements—some people are more fiery while others are more watery. If you’ve ever read your horoscope, they, too, relate to various elements, such as fire signs and earth signs.

However, Ayurveda takes a more scientific approach to the elements. It sees air as the movement of gas in your colon. It sees earth as your body compositing fat. It sees fire as your metabolism breaking down your food. It sees water as the hydration running through your cells. It sees ether as the space in your gastrointestinal tract.

 

By understanding these elements, you can unlock hidden dimensions of your physical and emotional well-being.These five elements make up the three Doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These Doshas are energies used to describe your food, body, mind, environment, and everything else.