Ayurveda is one of the most dominant medical practices in the country, one that came from India almost three thousand years ago, According to the practice, there exists an inextricable bond between the mind, body, and soul. The Ayurvedic teachings claim that a person is a sum of five elements: air, space, earth, water and fire, and these are responsible for the creation of life energies known as Doshas. Your Dosha is determined by the dominant elements within you. The three main life forces (Doshas) are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and aside from emotional and mental characteristics a person possesses, their dosha can be ‘spotted’ by their physical appearance.
To follow Ayurveda it’s vital to determine your Dosha as your given Dosha’s balance is crucial for maintaining good health and spiritual well-being. Practicing these rituals will provide you with overall mind and body wellness, as well as tools to enhance and nurture your beauty, but you have to follow the teachings to the letter and show dedication and perseverance.
On the dot
In Ayurvedic medicine, proper sleep patterns are crucial; therefore, after determining your dosha, it’s vital that you adopt the sleep regimen that has been ‘assigned’ to you. Every Dosha should be in bed no later than 10 pm, however, the wakeup hours vary slightly depending on your individual Dosha. Vata types, are to rise and shine at 6 am, while 5:30 and 4:30 are the ideal wakeup hours for Pittas and Kaphas. Once you’re up, don’t go rushing into a hectic day before sitting down and reflecting on the day ahead of you.
Starting the day right
When your Dosha is out of balance, your skin is the place on which this will manifest the first, and most evidently. It is therefore not only important to follow a diet that suits your Dosha but to also be aware of the importance of detoxing and keeping the body clean and metabolism in great shape. According to Ayurveda, the best possible hour to get rid of toxins is right after we get up. Boiled water with half a lemon will do the trick first thing in the morning, but aside from this morning lemon cup for detox, it’s vital to give your immune system a boost, and one of the best natural ways to do so is with a great basil tea that will calm an upset stomach and the best part – won’t load you with caffeine.
You eat according to what you are
Aside from the beverages beneficial for you, diet is another pillar of well-being and the gate to healthy skin. This is where it’s crucial to be in tune with your body and recognize the types of food that aggravate your stomach.
There are some guidelines that will help, like for instance, Vattas have a tendency to react poorly to bitter, astringent and spicy foods so sweet, sour and salty ones are more ‘their cup of tea’, They also need to follow a diet full of foods that are easily digestible. Then we have Pittas, and for them imbalance occurs when they eat hot, spicy, oily, fried, salty and fermented foods, excessively. Finally, a Kapa type is likely to experience due to overindulgence in food in general, which is precisely why low-fat foods in moderate amounts are the diet rules for them to follow.
Aside from reflecting on your health and even emotional well-being, as everything is linked, the imbalance will always make itself visible on the face and your natural beauty will suffer. This is why aside from proper nutrition, it’s paramount to add natural supplements such as the Solgar Acai Extract Brazilian Berry which are natural and contain anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidants – all highly beneficial for the gut flora and skin.
Your Dosha = your skin
As said, every Dosha has highly distinct physical traits, which of course entails a distinct skin type. For instance, a Vata type can typically be recognized by dull and dry skin. Pittas, on the other hand, tend to struggle with breakouts. In addition, a Pitta’s skin is likely to be photosensitive and is warm to the touch. Kaphas with water and earth being their dominant elements have oily skin, enlarged pores, and thick skin. This is why it’s essential that you find the kind of skincare regimen and products that will cater to your Dosha’s needs, and in accordance with Ayurvedic principles, natural and organic skincare products that are suitable for your Dosha and subsequently your skin type and concerns.
Pamper the entire body
There are of course additional beauty rituals, ancient ones and one of them is dry skin brushing. The best kind of brush for this pampering ritual is one with vegetable bristles. It’s important to start from the feet and work your way up to the heart. This exfoliates the skin and improves blood circulation in the entire body. Learn how to dry brush properly so as to prevent counter effects and master this beauty routine. Reward the skin with body oil afterward, sesame for Vattas, coconut for Pittas and almond for Kaphas.
BIO:
Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover and a food enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Eco Warrior Princess, Viva Glam Magazine, How to Simplify, Carousel and Cause Artist.
