Ayurveda has at its core the perspective that everything that exists in the Universe including ourselves, is made up of five great elements - earth, water, fire, air and ether.  

Each person is made up of a blend of these elements but is dominant in one, two or all three of these energies and these give us our unique qualities and characteristics.  These mind-body compositions are called doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  (Vata relates to air + space, Pitta relates to fire + water and Kapha to water + earth).

The doshas ebb and flow, moving in and out of balance according to lifestyle choices, changing seasons and the ageing process.  These fluctuations affect our physical and emotional health leaving us feeling energised and optimistic or lethargic and depleted.  Left untended imbalances will show up in the mind and body through experiences such as anxiety, stress, disconnection, anger, low immunity and chronic illness.  If however we learn to look after ourselves through mindful practices and actions we can bring ourselves to health and happiness and to peace and connectivity to the wider environment, of which we are organically part.

The aim of an Ayurvedic lifestyle therefore is to initially help us to recognise when we are out of balance.  It also provides us with the necessary knowledge and practical tools to bring us back into a state of homeostatis leading to optimal health and wellbeing.