There are four aspects of the body that need to be kept in balance in order to maintain good health—these are the doshas, the dhatus, malas, and agni.
We must examine Ayurveda’s understanding of how the body works in order to learn how we can maintain our health. This chapter will provide an outline of how the classical Ayurvedic scriptures describe the structures and functions of the body, and show you how your own body fits into that system.
Ayurveda teaches that the central principle of health is balance. Each of the four components here must be in a state of harmony—neither too strong nor too weak—for the body to remain healthy. This provides vitality by allowing greater capacity for prana (life energy required for all of the body’s functions), and immunity from disease. The following pages will examine these components in more detail.
DOSHAS (energies)
The three doshas are energies present within the body and mind. Maintaining the balance of each the dosha allows the body systems to work effectively. For more information.
Vata is the force of movement, activity, and sensation.
Pitta is the source of all transformative processes.
Kapha is the body’s strength and stability.
AGNI (fire)
The main form of agni is the body’s digestive fire. Healthy agni allows food to be digested so that strong tissues can be formed. It also prevents the buildup of ama, undigested food that acts as a toxin and leads to disease. For more information.
DHATUS (tissues)
The seven dhatus are the tissues that make up the body’s physical form. Healthy dhatus allow the body to produce ojas, a form of energy that helps the body support prana (vital energy) and protects the tissues from damage. For more information.
MALAS (waste)
The body’s excretions—urine, stool, and sweat—are called malas. Passing them in a timely manner helps keep the body balanced, as otherwise they build up and can cause disease. For more information.
“The balance of the doshas is health, and imbalance is disease.”