Ayurvedic lifestyle comprehensive well-being
Ayurveda is currently on everyone's lips. The holistic approach of this ancient Indian healing art is particularly well-received for today's problems. Hectic pace, stress, and poor nutrition place lasting strains on our bodies. With the help of the intelligent and thoughtful approaches of the Ayurvedic lifestyle, body and mind can find harmony again.
Here you can read at a glance what role nutrition, yoga and special cleansing treatments play in this physical and psychological detoxification.
The Ayurvedic diet ensures balance of the doshas
Why Ayurvedic nutrition is so healthy is best explained by looking at the three doshas. These three groups, formed from the elements, are endowed with different properties – and these influence our bodies!
The so-called doshas—or basic bioenergetic principles—are divided into Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Whenever one dosha predominates, an imbalance occurs in the body. This then leads to various illnesses. From birth, every person has their own unique constitution—so they can be a Vata, Pitta, or Kapha type :
- Vata type: This dosha is responsible for the movement processes in our body. Its elements are air and ether. An excess of Vata often results in digestive problems or similar stress symptoms.
- Pitta type: This dosha is centered on the elements of fire and water. It represents "warmth" and is thus directly related to the metabolism and digestive system. Too much Pitta often causes heartburn and choleric tendencies.
- Kapha type: A tendency toward obesity is very typical for this dosha. The stable element of earth combines with the element of water here. Kapha is responsible for holding things together and stabilizes the immune system.
Each person reacts differently to food intake —that is, everyone utilizes their food differently. This is why some people are more prone to water retention or fat deposits than others. Personality traits can also be traced back to the doshas. While Vata types, for example, have rapidly changing moods, Pittas are prone to outbursts of anger. Kaphas, on the other hand, radiate a fairly balanced and calm personality.
Based on this knowledge, each person can put together their own diet plan to correct the imbalance of their doshas.
Ayurveda nutrition: this is what the cuisine of the Indian healing doctrine looks like
An Ayurvedic diet has a wonderfully balancing effect on physical health. To achieve this, the most important basic elements of Ayurvedic cuisine should be observed:
Ayurvedic foods
Indian healing doctrine has recognized certain foods as more digestible than others. Warm foods are best, and eaten three times a day . Raw foods are fine for lunch – in all cases, one should eat as fresh food as possible . Use little salt and sugar, but add the valuable ghee – an Indian clarified butter that is a must. Easily digestible foods include leafy greens like spinach or chard, barley, chili, and detoxifying vegetables like asparagus or celery.
Spices
An important principle of Ayurvedic nutrition is a combination of the six tastes, the "rasas" – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, and astringent. These rasas should all be present together in a meal. If food isn't digested properly, metabolic waste and toxic substances – known as ama – remain. The right spices help prevent this. The digestive fire, agni, is supposed to be stimulated.
Compositions
As always with Ayurveda, the right combination of ingredients is crucial. In Ayurvedic cuisine, animal proteins, such as meat, fish, eggs, or milk, are not eaten together in one dish. Why muesli with fruit and yogurt doesn't work so well is simple: Milk, as a standalone food, should not be combined with salty or acidic foods , nor with vegetables or fresh fruit.
Chickpeas, lentils, and pulses have no problem with milk, and mung beans are also good. Fruit is best eaten on its own —otherwise, it will cause fermentation during digestion. If you eat grains, potatoes, fats, or pasta, you should balance them with vegetables and salad . Rice is considered safe in all combinations.
Food philosophy
Very often, health problems arise because we have the wrong attitude toward food. Ayurveda views eating as a pleasure and places great emphasis on mindfulness. We should ask ourselves more often why we eat. Boredom, stress, or even sadness are common motivators. However, it would be much better to eat out of genuine hunger and conviction! Eating slowly and thoughtfully brings balance and health.
The Ayurvedic lifestyle supports stress and burnout
Relaxation is one of the most important keys to a more balanced lifestyle. Our bodies benefit, especially from a health perspective, from practices like yoga. Physical benefits also arise from Ayurvedic treatments , which combine nutritional concepts, meditation, acupuncture, massage, and, of course, yoga.
When it comes to preventing stress and burnout, this is like balm for the soul. Yoga, in particular, offers impressive healing results – renewed joint flexibility, relaxed nerves, and a stronger immune system are just a few examples. For relaxation and as an energy source, Ayurveda is unbeatable.
Ayurveda cleanses and detoxifies
The detoxifying effect of the Ayurvedic lifestyle is particularly beneficial for detoxification treatments. A better body image, weight loss, and radiant skin are just a few of the positive side effects.
If you want to lose weight sustainably and healthily through Ayurveda , the Ayurvedic way of life is arguably one of the best ways to help you today. A proper diet, combined with plenty of exercise and excellent yoga exercises, can flush out the body's unnecessary toxins and unleash a whole new level of mental strength !
Conclusion
With Ayurveda, you can regain well-being, liberation, and inner and physical strength. With a dosha-appropriate diet , cleansing and relaxing meditation exercises and yoga practices, as well as soothing massages, you can find balance and equilibrium . This can alleviate illness and restore your strength! 
Elisabeth Mauracher: Managing Director & Yoga Instructor
Author : Elisabeth Mauracher
Position : Managing Director & Yoga Instructor
Elisabeth Mauracher is the young managing director of the European Ayurveda® Resort Sonnhof in Hinterthiersee, Tyrol. Her main responsibilities include operational hotel management, guest relations, and human resources. To balance her administrative duties, she leads yoga classes and shares her knowledge in engaging YouTube videos .
Cover photo © marilyna / 123rf.com
