What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda might be 5000 years old, but its philosophy is just as relevant today as it was back then

Ayurveda might be 5,000 years old, but its wisdom fits modern life with ease. If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, practised meditation or read about chakras, you’ve officially dabbled in Ayurveda.  

Originating in India and pre-dating modern medicine, Ayurveda blends the Sanskrit ‘ayur’ (life) and ‘veda’ (knowledge) – the “science of life”. A holistic system, it encourages a lifestyle that mirrors nature, focusing on circadian rhythms and seasonal changes to keep both mind and body in balance. When things slip off‑kilter – through environment, diet or habits – Ayurveda invites supportive lifestyle shifts and traditional therapies to restore equilibrium. 

Unlike a “pill for every ill” mindset, Ayurveda looks at the whole picture and the person in front of it. It leans into prevention, daily routines and food choices, then personalises from there. “Ayurveda is both a curative system of medicine and a preventative lifestyle, but most importantly it is a person-centred system and not disease-focused,” says Geeta Vara, Ayurveda author and practitioner. “It looks at treating the root cause of our health concerns by incorporating deep cleansing processes, diet, lifestyle, natural medicine, herbs, breathing, yoga, meditation, and so much more. Ayurveda is a journey, not a destination.” 

The importance of doshas 

In Ayurvedic thought, we’re made of five elements – space, air, fire, water and earth. These combine as three guiding energies called doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Most of us carry all three, with one usually leading; balance between them is considered key. “The doshas help us understand how to interact with our environment and what to adapt as we move between seasons and life stages,” says Samantha Ford, Ayurvedic health coach.  

Vata (air) 

Is linked to movement and communication – the breath, circulation, the quickness of thought – and often shows up in naturally slimmer frames. When Vata runs high, life can feel a little scattered or restless. 

Pitta (fire) 

Is the fire of transformation – digestion, metabolism, focus and drive – and often sits in medium, athletic builds. When it spikes, you might notice irritability or a sense of overheating, inside or out. 

Kapha (earth) 
Is your structure and steadiness – strength, lubrication, immunity – and is often seen in stronger, well‑built bodies. When Kapha is excessive, sluggishness, attachment or fog can creep in. 

Working with your dosha  

If things feel out of balance, you might notice bloating, skin flare‑ups, wired‑then‑tired energy or mood swings. Ayurveda responds with food, herbs, oil massage, breathwork and movement to gently course‑correct. 

“Vata has qualities that are cold, light and dry,” explains Geeta Vara. “If we eat foods with the same qualities – lots of raw salads, popcorn, cold water – we can aggravate Vata, whereas warm, cooked foods with spices will be balancing. In the same way, a calming yoga practice suits a Vata type more than a very energetic vinyasa flow.” 

Yoga, meditation and the chakras  

Considered the ‘sister’ of Ayurveda, both practices originated in the same era and appeared side by side in the Vedas (Vedic teachings). Yoga travelled west earlier; classical Ayurveda was suppressed during colonisation and flourished again after 1947. For many, yoga is the doorway into an Ayurvedic way of living. 

Yoga brings movement and breath to support prana – the body’s life force – and a felt sense of equilibrium. This is where chakras come in: seven energy centres running from the base of the spine to the crown, each linked to physical, emotional and creative states. Practices like yoga and breathwork are used to support that flow.  

Vedic meditation offers a simple route to stillness. Rather than concentrating hard, you repeat a personal mantra silently and let thoughts soften. Practised for about 20 minutes in the morning and late afternoon, many find it leaves them clearer, calmer and deeply rested. 

Incorporating Ayurveda 

Living in such a switched on, stimulated environment where daily pressures and processed food weigh heavy on our mind and body, Ayurveda encourages us to tune in to nature and find calm amongst the chaos. It doesn’t mean giving up your entire lifestyle but learning to trust yourself to know what’s best for you. “Quite often we allow the mind and ego to override based on external influences that can often lead to unhelpful and unhealthy habits - we call this ‘Prajnaparadha’ meaning crimes against our inner wisdom,” continues Vara. 

A gentle daily rhythm helps. Ayurveda splits the day into six four-hour periods (6-10, 10-2, 2-6) that are then repeated. Wake early if you can and start with warm water – lemon if you like – which many find more comfortable than cold. Tongue scraping is a common Ayurvedic tradition to remove toxins from the mouth and should be done before eating. Also, decide when you want to shower - beforehand improves digestion, if you like breakfast in your pyjamas, wait for half an hour after finishing, otherwise it will slow digestion. 

Through the day, pause to notice hunger and thirst, and eat at a pace that lets you taste your food. Late afternoon can be a beautiful window for meditation, followed by an earlier, lighter dinner – ideally before 7 PM. Aim for a consistent bedtime around 10 PM to welcome deeper rest before midnight. 

Seasonal eating keeps pace with shifting needs, while a gentle self‑massage with natural oils can warm the body, boost circulation and leave skin softly glowing. Adjust movement to how you feel: go calming on restless days, livelier when you need lift. 

By following a pattern that reconnects mind, body and environment, Ayurveda helps you live more in step with nature. “Eating a whole‑foods diet, using digestive spices, tending to your energy every day and aligning with the planet’s rhythm — it all connects you more deeply with your intuitive body,” says Samantha Ford. Start small. Let balance build. 
 
* This article shares general wellbeing information from the Ayurvedic perspective and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice.