What is Ayurveda?
Basic principles and doshas explained simply

Perhaps you've already heard of Ayurveda – the millennia-old Indian healing art that appears in many contexts today: in oil massages, detox retreats in Kerala, and the morning tongue scraping that always sounds a bit like a visit to the dentist. But what exactly is behind this holistic approach to health? What is Ayurveda?

The term Ayurveda literally means "knowledge of life." And that's not just poetic, but quite practical: it's about harmonizing body, mind, and soul – and living with nature, not against it. Its origins date back several thousand years to a sophisticated civilization in northern India. At that time, spiritual sages – the Rishis – observed nature very closely. They recognized that the rhythms of nature also affect human beings. This knowledge was passed down through generations and recorded in ancient texts.

What I personally find so beautiful is that Ayurveda doesn't see people as isolated systems with symptoms, but as part of a greater whole. Everything is interconnected – our diet, our thoughts, the seasons, even the weather (yes, even that annoying drizzle in November). And because we are constantly influenced by our environment, a keen sense of balance is essential. Not striving for perfection, but living consciously – that, for me, is Ayurveda.

If you delve into Ayurveda, sooner or later you'll stumble across three resonant terms: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha . And almost certainly, you'll also encounter the question: "What's my dosha type?" Spoiler alert: There's no online test with a 100% accuracy rate – but there are a few interesting clues that can help you get to know yourself better.

The three doshas are like fundamental forces that operate within each of us. They arise from the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—and transmit their qualities to our body and mind. They influence how we think, digest, feel, and react to our environment. Or, put another way: they are the invisible directors behind your energy levels, your digestion, and your cravings for chocolate or order.

Ayurveda isn't about putting you in a box – it's about understanding your unique blend of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha . This combination is called Prakriti – your energetic fingerprint, so to speak.

Every person carries all three doshas within them – but in very different combinations. Some are more Vata with a touch of Pitta, others Kapha with a creative Vata twist. Ayurveda says: You are not "either/or," but rather a unique recipe.

There are two types of constitution:

Deha Prakriti – your physical constitution: How you digest food, how your metabolism works, whether you are more delicately or strongly built.

Manasa Prakriti – your mental constitution: How you think, feel, and react – whether you tend to be calm, fiery, or flighty.

The fascinating finding: This constitution is determined at conception – influenced by genes, timing, and circumstances. While your physical Prakriti remains fairly stable, your mental constitution can change over the course of your life – through experiences, crises, routines, or simply through the normal process of being human.

Ayurveda helps you understand this mix – not to categorize you, but to better support you. Because when you know how you function, you can also take better care of yourself. And that's pretty Ayurvedic, isn't it?

In Ayurveda, it's not just about whether you're more Vata or Pitta – it's also about how well your inner fire burns. Sounds dramatic? It is. Because this so-called Agni is the force that processes everything you take in: food, thoughts, impressions, even emotions.

When your Agni (digestive fire) is functioning well, you feel clear-headed, energized, and balanced. You not only digest your lunch but also the stress of the morning. Ayurveda calls this state Samagni – a harmoniously functioning digestive fire.

Not every Agni (digestive fire) functions the same way. It can:

• Being too strong (Tikshagni) : You burn too quickly – internally and sometimes emotionally. Restlessness, irritability, hunger every hour.
• Too irregular (Vishamagni) : Sometimes too much, sometimes too little – like a digestive yo-yo. You never know if your stomach will cooperate today.
• Too sluggish (Mandagni) : You feel heavy, tired, bloated – as if your inner fire is on lunch break.

And this is exactly where Ama comes in.

Ama is undigested food. Literally, it means "uncooked" or "unprocessed." It arises when Agni (digestive fire) is too weak and residues accumulate in the body. Ama is sticky, blocks the subtle transport channels (Srotas), and is considered in Ayurveda to be one of the main causes of many diseases. Imagine your body has too much waste – and the system slows down.

What helps?
A well-functioning Agni (digestive fire) is key. With a diet that suits you, regular routines, and a lifestyle that supports your constitution, you can avoid Ama (undigested food residue) – and strengthen your health in the long term. Ayurveda says: You don't have to live perfectly. But you do have to live consciously. And that's already quite a lot.

In Ayurveda, health doesn't simply mean: "I have no ailments." Rather, it means that body, mind, and soul dance in the same rhythm – to your own personal melody. Because what makes you healthy is as individual as your favorite food.

When your doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) are in balance, your agni (digestive fire) is burning brightly, your tissues (dhatus) are strong, and your energy channels (srotas) are flowing freely – then you feel alive, clear-headed, and stable. And yes, joy and inner happiness are also part of health in Ayurveda. It's a holistic view of the person – not just of symptoms, but of the whole.

Illnesses arise when this balance is disrupted – through stress, an unsuitable diet, insufficient sleep, or emotional roller coasters. An imbalance of the doshas, ​​in particular, can be noticeable: the creative Vata becomes nervous, the fiery Pitta irritable, and the easygoing Kapha lethargic.

Ayurveda doesn't ask, "What's wrong with you?", but rather, "What has thrown you off balance?" And how can we lovingly guide you back to it?

What I particularly appreciate about Ayurveda is that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Two people can have the same ailments – but completely different underlying causes. Therefore, every treatment is individualized. No copy-paste, but genuine observation.

Good Ayurvedic guidance considers all aspects of life: nutrition, medicinal plants, routines, emotions, even your environment. The goal is to activate your self-healing powers so that your body can find its way back into balance – naturally and sustainably. And sometimes that starts with a cup of warm water and the honest question: What truly feels good to me right now?

Ayurveda isn't a theory for bookshelves – it's a way of life that begins in everyday life. Not with complicated rituals or exotic ingredients, but with simple things: warm water in the morning, mindful eating, herbs, oil treatments, and routines that make you feel good. Sounds unspectacular? But it's quite effective.

Ayurveda helps you understand yourself better – not as a project, but as a person living in harmony with nature. You learn how to live in tune with the seasons, how to listen to your body, and how to recognize what truly nourishes you. And sometimes that means going to bed earlier, walking barefoot more often, or simply saying no.

For me, Ayurveda is like a compass. Not a GPS with constant recalculations, but an inner guidepost that shows me how to take good care of myself – not perfectly, but consciously. And that's exactly what I want to share: less pressure, more feeling.