Take Charge of Your Wellness: Using your Ayurvedic Constitution

Ever wondered why you tend to run late and often feel rushed? Ever wished you could be more easygoing, yet know you typically strive for perfection? Ever puzzled about your slowness? As you come to understand your Ayurvedic constitution, you will gain a fresh understanding of what makes you tick.

If you are vata, you may have a hard time budgeting either time or money; trying to run around to too many places too quickly, or impulse-buying things you don't really need. If you are pitta, you may have noticed that you have high ideals and expect a lot of yourself. If you are kapha, you may find that although you have plenty of stamina, it can take you a while to get going. When I was in school, I always wished I was one of the big, strong athletic girls with long thick hair. At the same time, many of those girls probably wished they were me and could excel in study. As we come to understand our constitution, instead of wishing to be different, we can learn to enjoy who we are--with a touch of humour--and seek out the things that will balance and support us.

If we are vata, we can take delight in our creativity and sense of fun. At the same time, we can find ways to slow down, relax and create routine and structure. Recognizing that we tend to be nervous and anxious, we can find simple ways, such as oil massage, to soothe our system. If we are pitta, we can appreciate our high ideals and desire for excellence, while making space in our lives for some cooling gentleness with ourselves. Irritability and frustration may seem to be an inevitable part of our lives, but often all we need is a little self-nurturance, like taking time to sip a cup of brahmi tea. And if we are kapha we can enjoy our calm, steady and nurturing qualities while remembering to find opportunities for challenge and change. Understanding that we tend to become sluggish or stuck, we can make sure to plan some yoga classes, brisk walks and other strategies to get us going.

So many of our problems come from wishing to be like someone else! With the added self-awareness that we get from understanding our Ayurvedic constitution, rather than trying to be different, we can enjoy being who we are.

Quick online quizzes give only a vague idea of prakriti. Without expert guidance, it is easy to confuse longstanding imbalances with inherent constitution, or to go with the constitution you wished you had rather than the genuine one. An ayurvedic doctor can help you determine your prakriti and take charge of your wellness through using your knowledge of prakriti to gain greater self-awareness and understanding.

Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.

Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!