Ayurveda, often called the sister science of Yoga, blends ancient wisdom with permission to trust our own intuition about our health. This medical science originated in India around 5,000 years ago and teaches us how to pay attention to our symptoms, knowing they are interconnected with our choices and daily habits of living. The language of Ayurveda and Yoga is Sanskrit, a beautiful ancient tongue, punctuated and polysyllabic. The name comes from the root words ayus (life) and veda (knowledge/science). Ayurveda treats whole people, not isolated problems; using its wisdom is like talking to an old friend that knows you so well they can confirm what you’ve been suspecting for weeks just by conversation and intentional observations.

That’s where my consultation with Patricia Wickman, a local Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, began. I had completed several pages of lifestyle and health questionnaires and then we sat down to chat. She’s a kind, gentle soul and listens well as you explain your current state and personal preferences. She seems to know what you’re going to say – letting your words provide a confirmation for her diagnosis as well as your own sense of self and self-knowing. Her observation methods seem unconventional and are certainly unique to the Ayurvedic history, using diagnostics like looking each other in the eyes, taking several subtle pulses looking for different qualities in your heart beat, and even examining the tongue for spots, dots, and colors. I felt honored to be taken through this process with Patricia, like I had been ushered into this tradition, a rite of passage leading me toward brilliant health and energy.

Your prakruti, or primary dosha, is a description of your strongest natural design, personality, and lifestyle preferences. Most people also have a subdosha, or secondary type, that lives in a close relationship with their prakruti. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Vatas are light, dry, and airy with a slight body build from their dominant elements of air and ether. Kapha combines elements of water and earth, and display qualities of steadiness, with larger, strong frames and rich, wavy hair. Kaphas tend to have stable and calm thoughts, and a clear sense of serenity when balanced.

Through the initial consultation I learned I am 60 percent Pitta and about 20 percent Kapha – very little Vata. Pitta doshas, dominant in the elements of fire and water, tend to be sharp and determined in actions and speech, highly adaptive, of moderate muscular build with efficient metabolism, and enjoy a purposeful, ambitious life. One great wise website even tells me Pittas are naturally self confident and have an entrepreneurial spirit about them. Golly.

Good thing my ambitious Pitta is somewhat balanced with the calm steadiness of my Kapha. Ayurveda is more accurate than a horoscope, cosmo quiz, tarot card, or palm reading. I deem this ancient wisdom definitely more useful (and customized) in regards to the recommendations that stem from the goal of restoring and sustaining health within our lives.
Patricia requested a few Pitta-balancing things I can totally handle – going easy on the chocolate and coffee due to their stimulating and potentially aggravating qualities, and taking moonlight walks or leisurely bike rides to cool off and unwind. I already knew my workload had exploded in the past couple months, and she recommended not to work like a crazy woman. Good reminder. The recommendation I am still working on is to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. Like 10 o’clock. That’s rough.

I am still researching Ayurveda as a self-care practice and would like to learn more about its history. But any medical science that asks me to honor my intuition and my ability to deeply care for myself makes me happy. Join me for a moonlight walk?