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Arthritis and the Doshas

Arthritis and the Doshas. Steffany Moonaz, PhD, RYT-500. What is a Dosha ?. Concept from Ayurveda Three bodily humors that make up constitution Health results from balance between 3 doshas Individual constitution is unique combination of all 3, like a fingerprint Usually one dominates

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Arthritis and the Doshas

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  1. Arthritis and the Doshas Steffany Moonaz, PhD, RYT-500

  2. What is a Dosha? • Concept from Ayurveda • Three bodily humors that make up constitution • Health results from balance between 3 doshas • Individual constitution is unique combination of all 3, like a fingerprint • Usually one dominates • Set of physical, mental, emotional characteristics

  3. Vata • Definition: wind, to move, flow, direct the processes of, or command • drying, cooling, light, agitating, and moving • Air and Ether (Space) • Vata governs movement in the body, the activities of the nervous system and the process of elimination.

  4. Vata Characteristics • excitement • new experiences • quick to anger • Quick to forgive • energetic • Creative • take initiative • lively conversation • thin, light frame • excellent agility • energy comes in bursts • sudden bouts of fatigue • dry skin and hair • cold hands and feet • sleep lightly • digestion can be sensitive

  5. Vata Imbalance • Generalized aches, sharp pains • Arthritis, stiff, painful joints • Agitated movement • Very sensitive to cold • Nail biting • Rough, flaky skin • Chapped lips • Fainting spells • Heart palpitations • Constipation • Intestinal bloating, gas • Belching, hiccups • Dry, sore throat • Dry eyes • Worried • Tired, yet can't relax • Fatigue, poor stamina • Nervous • Can't concentrate • Anxious, fearful • Agitated mind • Impatient • Antsy or hyperactive • Spaced out • Self-defeating • Shy, insecure • Restless • Cannot make decisions • Weight loss, under weight • Insomnia

  6. Balancing Vata • Regular routine (ie. Eat and sleep) • Rest • Regulate impulses • Relaxed, moderate exercise • Meditation, deep relaxation • Associate with calm people

  7. Pitta • Water and Fire • Transformation and balance (fire burns water, water puts out fire) • controls digestion, metabolism, and energy production • Those with a predominance of the Pitta principle have a fiery nature that manifests in both body and mind.

  8. Pitta Characteristics • powerful intellect • strong ability to concentrate • good decision makers teachers, speakers • Precise • sharp-witted • Direct • outspoken • medium size, weight • excellent digestion • warm body temp • sleep soundly, short • strong sex drive • lustrous complexion • abundant energy • strong appetite

  9. Pitta Imbalance • Acidity, heartburn • Stomach ulcer • Fitful sleep • Disturbing dreams • Diarrhea • Food allergies • Reckless • Frustrated • Willful • Fevers • Night sweats • Bad breath • Sour body odor • Sensitive to heat • Hot flashes • Skin rashes • Boils • Bloodshot eyes • Acne • Weakness due to low blood sugar • Angry • Irritable • Hostile • Enraged • Destructive • Impatient • Critical of self/others • Argumentative • Aggressive • Bossy, controlling

  10. Balancing Pitta • Avoid alcohol, tobacco • Avoid overwork, overexertion, overheating • Pure and moderate lifestyle • Avoid conflicts • Cool emotions

  11. Kapha • Water and Earth • Stirring force to keep water and earth from separating • governs the structure of the body • The primary function of Kapha is protection.

  12. Kapha Characteristics • calm • thoughtful • loving • enjoy life • comfortable with routine • loyal • patient • Steady • supportive • strong build • excellent stamina • Thick hair • sleep soundly • regular digestion • weight gain • fluid retention

  13. Kapha Imbalance • Sleeping too much • Tired in the morning • Drowsy during the day • Weight gain, obesity • Congestion in the chest/throat • Congestion in the nose/sinuses • Nausea • Diabetes • Hay fever • Pale, cool, clammy skin • Edema, water retention • Bloated feeling • Sluggish digestion, food "just sits" in the stomach • High cholesterol • Aching joints or heavy limbs • Sluggish thinking • Dull thinking • Groggy all day • Apathetic, no desire • Depressed • Sad • Sentimental • Slow to comprehend • Slow to react • Procrastinating • Lethargy • Clingy, hanging on to people/ideas • Greedy • Possessive • Materialistic

  14. Balancing Kapha • Needs activity and stimulation • Daily exercise • Seek new experiences • Be receptive to useful change

  15. Arthritis • Is arthritis strictly a vata condition? • What have you noticed? • Who are your students? • Does this change anything about your approach?

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