Ayurvedic Massage and The Three Dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)

Ayurvedic massage is part of an overall system of physical healing and spiritual awareness. When you attend an Ayurveda massage school in India, you are part of an inclusive learning process. It is impossible to understand the basics of Ayurvedic massage therapy without becoming totally aware of the basic philosophy that is an integral part of the process.

What Ayurvedic Massage is

Ayurvedic massage is a holistic approach to the body. It is based on the principle that the body is not merely a physical entity. It contains both the physical and spiritual aspects of the human. At an Ayurveda massage school, the student learns about the interconnected nature of life. He or she discovers that subtle energies, or doshas, bind the power of the consciousness or spirit to the external and physical form – the body, of life. The Ayurvedic massage practitioner must be able to utilize these energies to help the client. Traditionally, the practitioner does so by using oils formulated specifically for each dosha type.

The Three Doshas

The doshas are three in number. They represent the elements as well as the subtle energies within each of us. Every person’s body is a specific dosha type. Certain parts of the body, while they consist of three doshas are predominantly one type of dosha. Rarely, however, is any individual solely one type of dosha.

The three types are

1. Vata Dosha – Consisting of the element of air, this dosha governs propulsion and movement
2. Pitta Dosha – Consisting of the element of fire, this dosha has as its major function transformation, the manufacturing of piercing heat and digestion
3. Kapha Dosha – Consisting of the element of earth, this dosha provides consistency, attachment and containment

Attendance in an Ayurveda massage school in India, will teach you what you need to learn about how to utilize the knowledge of body types. It will also provide you with the confidence to recognize these types and to combine them with the basic principles of Ayurvedic therapy, including a comprehensive understanding of the existence and position of the major Marmas. Only by looking at the entire composition of the Ayurvedic approach to healing, can you begin to comprehend the interconnectedness of spirit and body.

Learning at an Ayurveda massage school in India is a comprehensive look at how the Ayurvedic system of holistic healing functions. It allows a student to explore his outer and inner self while learning the proper way to perform Ayurveda Massage therapy. It is by following this path that a student can move towards self awareness and grow as a caring and spiritual individual.