This document provides an overview of basic Ayurvedic physiology concepts including the tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), their compositions, functions, seats in the body, and qualities. It describes the malas (waste products), ama (undigested toxins), and panchakarma (five cleansing techniques). Specifically, it outlines yoga exercises tailored for each dosha and explains the panchakarma techniques of vamana (therapeutic vomiting) and nasya (nasal administration of medicines).

1. BASIC CONCEPTS OFBASIC CONCEPTS OF
AYURVEDIC PHYSIOLOGYAYURVEDIC PHYSIOLOGY
CHAIRMAN:CHAIRMAN:
International Centre for Yoga Education & ResearchInternational Centre for Yoga Education & Research
at Ananda Ashram, Puducherry, South Indiaat Ananda Ashram, Puducherry, South India
YogacharyaYogacharya
Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANIDr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI
MBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, FIAYMBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, FIAY

2. THE TRIDOSHASTHE TRIDOSHAS
 According to Ayurveda there are three DoshasAccording to Ayurveda there are three Doshas
-substances or biological humors in the human-substances or biological humors in the human
body that governs all life processes of growthbody that governs all life processes of growth
and decay.and decay.
 When out of balance, the Doshas are causativeWhen out of balance, the Doshas are causative
forces in the disease process.forces in the disease process.
 Doshas are invisible. They govern the physicalDoshas are invisible. They govern the physical
processes in the body without being quiteprocesses in the body without being quite
physical themselves.physical themselves.
 The Doshas areThe Doshas are VATAVATA,, PITTAPITTA andand KAPHAKAPHA..

3. COMPOSITION OFCOMPOSITION OF
THE DOSHASTHE DOSHAS
 VATA - space and airVATA - space and air
 PITTA - fire and waterPITTA - fire and water
 KAPHA - earth and water.KAPHA - earth and water.

4. FUNCTIONSFUNCTIONS
OFOF
THE DOSHASTHE DOSHAS

5. FUNCTIONS OF VATAFUNCTIONS OF VATA
 This is the energy responsible for allThis is the energy responsible for all
movement in the physical body.movement in the physical body.
 It is not the air of the external environmentIt is not the air of the external environment
but subtle energy that governs biologicalbut subtle energy that governs biological
movement.movement.
 Controls breathing, movement of muscles,Controls breathing, movement of muscles,
movement of food through the digestivemovement of food through the digestive
tract, & nerve impulses to & from the brain.tract, & nerve impulses to & from the brain.
 It also governs our sensory and mentalIt also governs our sensory and mental
balance and orientation and promotesbalance and orientation and promotes
mental adaptability and comprehension.mental adaptability and comprehension.

6. FUNCTIONS OF PITTAFUNCTIONS OF PITTA
 It is the principle of fire, the energy ofIt is the principle of fire, the energy of
metabolism.metabolism.
 It is responsible for all chemical andIt is responsible for all chemical and
metabolic transformations in the body.metabolic transformations in the body.
 It regulates digestion, absorption,It regulates digestion, absorption,
assimilation and body temperature.assimilation and body temperature.
 It also governs our mental digestion, ourIt also governs our mental digestion, our
capacity to perceive reality andcapacity to perceive reality and
understand things as they are.understand things as they are.

7. FUNCTIONS OF KAPHAFUNCTIONS OF KAPHA
 This means, `that which holds things together`.This means, `that which holds things together`.
 It provides substance and gives support andIt provides substance and gives support and
provides the structural principle of our bodilyprovides the structural principle of our bodily
tissues.tissues.
 It promotes anabolism, the creation and growth ofIt promotes anabolism, the creation and growth of
new cells and also cell repair.new cells and also cell repair.
 It lubricates our joints, moisturizes the skin, helpsIt lubricates our joints, moisturizes the skin, helps
to heal wounds and maintains immunity.to heal wounds and maintains immunity.
 Kapha provides strength, vigor and stability.Kapha provides strength, vigor and stability.
 It also provides our emotional support in life andIt also provides our emotional support in life and
governs traits like love, compassion, patience andgoverns traits like love, compassion, patience and
forgiveness.forgiveness.

8. SEAT OF THESEAT OF THE
DOSHASDOSHAS
 Vata - colonVata - colon
 Pitta - small intestinePitta - small intestine
 Kapha - chestKapha - chest

9. DOSHAS AND THEIRDOSHAS AND THEIR
QUALITIESQUALITIES

10. QUALITIES OF VATAQUALITIES OF VATA
 light, flexible bodies.light, flexible bodies.
 slim or underweight.slim or underweight.
 too tall or too short.too tall or too short.
 under developed withunder developed with
flat chestsflat chests
 less strength andless strength and
stamina.stamina.
 need sweet, sour andneed sweet, sour and
salty tastessalty tastes
 Constipation is theConstipation is the
most common ailment.most common ailment.
 light muscles and littlelight muscles and little
fat.fat.
 walk quickly, eatwalk quickly, eat
quickly and always in aquickly and always in a
rush.rush.
 Vatas have clarity ofVatas have clarity of
mind, mental flexibilitymind, mental flexibility
and creativity, goodand creativity, good
imagination & come upimagination & come up
with new ideas.with new ideas.

11. QUALITIES OF PITTAQUALITIES OF PITTA
 medium height andmedium height and
buildbuild
 seldom loose orseldom loose or
gain much weightgain much weight
 stronger physicallystronger physically
than Vatathan Vata
 early graying or lossearly graying or loss
of hairof hair
 moles and frecklesmoles and freckles
are commonare common
 sweaty hands andsweaty hands and
feetfeet
 perspire quite a lot.perspire quite a lot.
 strong appetitestrong appetite
 good digestiongood digestion
 higher bodyhigher body
temperaturetemperature

12. QUALITIES OF KAPHAQUALITIES OF KAPHA
 strong, healthy well developed bodystrong, healthy well developed body
 strong muscles and heavy bonesstrong muscles and heavy bones
 gain weight easily and cannot take it off easily.gain weight easily and cannot take it off easily.
 they have slow digestionthey have slow digestion
 skin is soft, smooth and lustrousskin is soft, smooth and lustrous
 love candies, cookies and chocolatelove candies, cookies and chocolate
 vigorous exercise is good for them but they prefervigorous exercise is good for them but they prefer
to sit, eat and do nothingto sit, eat and do nothing
 slow in everything, slow to eat, decide or act.slow in everything, slow to eat, decide or act.
 sweet loving disposition, caring and forgiving.sweet loving disposition, caring and forgiving.

13. YOGA EXERCISESYOGA EXERCISES
FOR THEFOR THE
THREE DOSHASTHREE DOSHAS

14. YOGA EXERCISES FOR KAPHASYOGA EXERCISES FOR KAPHAS
 They can and should do the most strenuousThey can and should do the most strenuous
exercises -are the most reluctant exercisers,exercises -are the most reluctant exercisers,
preferring to do little or nothing- must exercisepreferring to do little or nothing- must exercise
strongly otherwise they will put on weight andstrongly otherwise they will put on weight and
feel emotionally heavy and dull.feel emotionally heavy and dull.
 Jogging, cycling, tennis aerobics are goodJogging, cycling, tennis aerobics are good
 The important seat of Kapha is the chest. YogaThe important seat of Kapha is the chest. Yoga
exercises that stretch the pulmonary cavity andexercises that stretch the pulmonary cavity and
increase circulation in the chest are good.increase circulation in the chest are good.
 Fast Surya Namaskar, Viparita Karani,Fast Surya Namaskar, Viparita Karani,
Sarvangasana, Halasana, Shalabasana,Sarvangasana, Halasana, Shalabasana,
Sethubandasana, Mayurasana, Ushtrasana,Sethubandasana, Mayurasana, Ushtrasana,
Matsyasana, Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, anMatsyasana, Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, an
Chakrasana.Chakrasana.
 Bhastrika Pranayama and Kapalabhathi.Bhastrika Pranayama and Kapalabhathi.

15. YOGA EXERCISES FOR PITTASYOGA EXERCISES FOR PITTAS
 They should exercise a moderate amount.They should exercise a moderate amount.
 Pitta has its seat in the solar plexus and thePitta has its seat in the solar plexus and the
intestines.intestines.
 Practices that stretch the chest and abdomenPractices that stretch the chest and abdomen
are good.are good.
 Twisting Postures, Purvottanasana,Twisting Postures, Purvottanasana,
Matsyasana, Ushtrasana, Shalabasana,Matsyasana, Ushtrasana, Shalabasana,
Dhanurasana, Chakrasana.Dhanurasana, Chakrasana.
 Slow Surya NamaskarSlow Surya Namaskar
 Avoid the inverted posturesAvoid the inverted postures
 Sheetali Pranayama is good for Pittas.Sheetali Pranayama is good for Pittas.

16. YOGA EXERCISES FOR VATASYOGA EXERCISES FOR VATAS
 They require the gentlest exercisesThey require the gentlest exercises
 they are attracted to active sports but quieterthey are attracted to active sports but quieter
exercises are better for themexercises are better for them
 Surya Namaskar is done very slowly.Surya Namaskar is done very slowly.
 All exercises that stretch the pelvic area is good.All exercises that stretch the pelvic area is good.
 Hold the postures steadily and for longer durationHold the postures steadily and for longer duration
to develop stability.to develop stability.
 All forward bends, back bends, spinal twistsAll forward bends, back bends, spinal twists
 Vibhaga, Ujjayi and Nadi Shuddi are good forVibhaga, Ujjayi and Nadi Shuddi are good for
Vatas.Vatas.
 Relaxation is very importantRelaxation is very important

17. MALAMALA
The Malas are those substances which the bodyThe Malas are those substances which the body
eliminates in the process of creating andeliminates in the process of creating and
maintaining the Dhatus.maintaining the Dhatus.
They are feces, urine, sweat, mucus, tears, saliva,They are feces, urine, sweat, mucus, tears, saliva,
menses and carbondioxide.menses and carbondioxide.
The action of the Doshas separates the wasteThe action of the Doshas separates the waste
material from the Dhatus at each stage ofmaterial from the Dhatus at each stage of
metabolism and then discharges them from themetabolism and then discharges them from the
body.body.

18. AMAAMA
Aggravation of Doshas by poor diet, unhealthyAggravation of Doshas by poor diet, unhealthy
lifestyle, negative emotions causes thelifestyle, negative emotions causes the
weakening of the digestive Agni.weakening of the digestive Agni.
Undigested, unabsorbed food accumulates in theUndigested, unabsorbed food accumulates in the
GIT and become a toxic substance called Ama.GIT and become a toxic substance called Ama.
Ama clogs the intestines and overflows throughAma clogs the intestines and overflows through
blood vessels causing disease.blood vessels causing disease.
The presence of Ama can be felt as fatigue or aThe presence of Ama can be felt as fatigue or a
feeling of heaviness.feeling of heaviness.
It may induce constipation, indigestion, gas, badIt may induce constipation, indigestion, gas, bad
breath, stiffness in the body or mental confusion.breath, stiffness in the body or mental confusion.

19. PANCHAKARMAPANCHAKARMA

20. PANCHAKARMAPANCHAKARMA
 ‘‘Pancha’ means five and ‘Karma’ means actions.Pancha’ means five and ‘Karma’ means actions.
 These are specialized techniques for purificationThese are specialized techniques for purification
and rejuvenation of the body.and rejuvenation of the body.
 According to Ayurveda the body normally usesAccording to Ayurveda the body normally uses
three routes to eliminate Ama -the mouththree routes to eliminate Ama -the mouth // nose,nose,
anusanus // urethra and pores of the skin.urethra and pores of the skin.
 Panchakarma’s curative and rejuvenative powerPanchakarma’s curative and rejuvenative power
lies in its ability to utilizelies in its ability to utilize aand stimulate the naturalnd stimulate the natural
movement of the Doshas to eliminate Ama.movement of the Doshas to eliminate Ama.
 It helps draw Ama out of the Dhatus, return it toIt helps draw Ama out of the Dhatus, return it to
the GIT and then expel it from the body.the GIT and then expel it from the body.

21. PANCHAKARMAPANCHAKARMA
PRELIMINARY PRACTICESPRELIMINARY PRACTICES
 SNEHANASNEHANA (internal oleation followed by external(internal oleation followed by external
oleation in the form of oil massage),oleation in the form of oil massage),
 SWEDANASWEDANA (After massaging oil all over the body(After massaging oil all over the body
the individual is then given a steam bath to loosenthe individual is then given a steam bath to loosen
the toxins and increase their movement towardsthe toxins and increase their movement towards
the GI tract) andthe GI tract) and
 SHIRODHARASHIRODHARA (dripping warm oil in a steady(dripping warm oil in a steady
stream on the forehead to quieten the mind andstream on the forehead to quieten the mind and
the senses that then allows the body’s naturalthe senses that then allows the body’s natural
healing mechanism to release stress from thehealing mechanism to release stress from the
nervous system).nervous system).

22. 1. VAMANA1. VAMANA
 Process of therapeutic vomiting, for the purposeProcess of therapeutic vomiting, for the purpose
of expelling excess Kaphic Ama from the Kaphaof expelling excess Kaphic Ama from the Kapha
zone or upper part of the body.zone or upper part of the body.
 Special herbs are used to permeate the fineSpecial herbs are used to permeate the fine
channels in the Kapha zone and liquefy Ama.channels in the Kapha zone and liquefy Ama.
 The heating action of these herbs create anThe heating action of these herbs create an
upward motion which lifts Ama out of theupward motion which lifts Ama out of the
Kapha’s seatKapha’s seat
 It is administered for the Kapha related disordersIt is administered for the Kapha related disorders
including lung problems, allergies, diabetesincluding lung problems, allergies, diabetes
mellitus, arteriosclerosis, arthritis and skinmellitus, arteriosclerosis, arthritis and skin
diseasesdiseases

23. 2. NASYA2. NASYA
 Medicated oils and powders are introduced intoMedicated oils and powders are introduced into
the nosethe nose
 Removes Ama from the nose, larynx, pharynx,Removes Ama from the nose, larynx, pharynx,
mouth, sinuses, eyes and ears.mouth, sinuses, eyes and ears.
 Ayurveda describes the nose as the doorway toAyurveda describes the nose as the doorway to
the brain. Cleanses and opens channels of thethe brain. Cleanses and opens channels of the
head- beneficial influence on brain functioning.head- beneficial influence on brain functioning.
 Alleviates dry nasal passages, sinusAlleviates dry nasal passages, sinus congestion,congestion,
common cold, chronic sinusitis and allergies.common cold, chronic sinusitis and allergies.
 Relieves headaches, migraine, and epilepsy andRelieves headaches, migraine, and epilepsy and
has a positive effect on degenerative diseases ofhas a positive effect on degenerative diseases of
the brain and mental retardation.the brain and mental retardation.

24. 3. VIRECHANA3. VIRECHANA
 Therapeutic natural, herb induced purgingTherapeutic natural, herb induced purging
that cleanses the colon, small intestine,that cleanses the colon, small intestine,
kidneys and associated Pitta-dominantkidneys and associated Pitta-dominant
organs e.g. liver, spleen and gall bladder.organs e.g. liver, spleen and gall bladder.
 Helps treat Pitta related disorders likeHelps treat Pitta related disorders like
hyperacidity, colitis, hemorrhoids, chronichyperacidity, colitis, hemorrhoids, chronic
headaches, diabetes, allergies, skinheadaches, diabetes, allergies, skin
disorders like acne, dermatitis, psoriasis,disorders like acne, dermatitis, psoriasis,
eczema, leprosy and Leucoderma.eczema, leprosy and Leucoderma.

25. 4. BASTI4. BASTI
 Basti therapy is the most powerful of the fiveBasti therapy is the most powerful of the five
main procedures of Panchakarma.main procedures of Panchakarma.
 Basti is the introduction of medicated liquids intoBasti is the introduction of medicated liquids into
the colon through the rectum.the colon through the rectum.
 It helps purify toxins from all over the body.It helps purify toxins from all over the body.
 Chronic constipation, low back pain, sciatica,Chronic constipation, low back pain, sciatica,
rheumatism, gout, arthritis and variousrheumatism, gout, arthritis and various
neuromuscular disorders like paraplegia,neuromuscular disorders like paraplegia,
hemiplegia, poliomyelitis, alzeimer’s disease,hemiplegia, poliomyelitis, alzeimer’s disease,
parkinson’s disease and dystrophy and atrophyparkinson’s disease and dystrophy and atrophy
of the nerves and muscles. It benefits epilepsy,of the nerves and muscles. It benefits epilepsy,
mental retardation and sensory malfunction.mental retardation and sensory malfunction.

26. 5. RAKTAMOKSHANA5. RAKTAMOKSHANA
 It is the process of therapeuticallyIt is the process of therapeutically
withdrawing blood from certain parts of thewithdrawing blood from certain parts of the
body to provide a rapid and sometimesbody to provide a rapid and sometimes
dramatic reduction of symptoms in certaindramatic reduction of symptoms in certain
acute disorders. It is used to removeacute disorders. It is used to remove
Pitta-related Ama fromPitta-related Ama from the blood.the blood.

27. THANKTHANK
YOUYOU
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