Ayurveda
NEW YEAR'S
5-CLASS AYURVEDA SERIES
THIS WORKSHOP SERIES IS CANCELLED
DECEMBER 31ST UPDATE:
Our five-part Ayurveda workshop series in January has been canceled due to limited enrollment.
This is absolutely not the end of our Ayurveda offerings! We’re realizing that January may not have been the most aligned time to launch a longer commitment like this, especially with many people traveling or easing into the new year. We’re currently brainstorming other ways to share this work in the near future — whether as individual workshops or a monthly offering spread throughout the year.
Ayurveda is something we deeply believe in — not just as preventative healthcare, but as a way of life that cultivates self-awareness, balance, and a deeper connection to body, mind, and spirit. If you’re interested in future Ayurveda sessions, we invite you to join our email list and follow us on social media to stay updated on upcoming offerings.
What is Ayurveda?
"If you are not your own doctor, you are a fool."
— Hippocrates
Ayurveda, a branch of Vedic Science, literally means “the science of life” and it originated in India as the traditional healing system well over 5,000 years ago. Considered one of the oldest forms of medicine, this ancient science works as both preventative and curative medicine, combining daily self-care, healthy diet, yoga, meditation, and a natural lifestyle as a means to acquire optimal health.
Ayurveda is the fundamental root of Classical Chinese Medicine and even Daoists and the Buddha utilized Ayurvedic remedies. It is important to note that it is not a religion and can be (and in our opinion, should be) practiced by everyone. In India today, there are Ayurvedic medical schools training physicians in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, toxicology and gerontology.
What makes Ayurveda practical is that it is not necessary to attend Ayurvedic medical school in order to understand or implement Ayurvedic knowledge into your daily life. According to Ayurveda, we create our state of health based on how we interact with our environment. By making choices that support our inner nature, we can live harmoniously and in balance. Ayurveda teaches us how to take care of ourselves in the most effective way possible, to create more space and energy for the things that matter most.
Here are a few things this ancient science teaches us:
- how our physical body works
- how our organs function
- how to regulate our emotions
- how to support our digestion
- how to create healthy sleep rhythms
- how to support healthy daily energy
- how to move from fight-or-flight to rest and restore mode
- which types of movement and exercise are best for our unique bodies and minds
- which types of foods will be most effective in keeping us healthy and balanced
WHAT ARE DOSHAS?
There are 3 constitutions (body compositions) in Ayurveda:
- Vata (air + ether)
- Pitta (fire + water)
- Kapha (earth + water)
These three doshas are comprised of the natural elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Everything living has these five elements within it, as well as, all 3 doshas. However, every living being has its own unique constitution (blend of these elements) and thus the doshas. For example, a person may have more fire within them if they are a natural born leader compared to another person that has more of the water element and prefers to act as loving support for those around them. The amount of each dosha within you is the framework for your body type, personality, and life experience.
Doshas may be in or out of balance based on many factors. The time of day, the current season, your stage of life, the daily lifestyle choices that you make, all are constantly affecting the doshas. Ayurveda provides us with helpful self-care practices which allow us to create a harmonious external world that will facilitate healing not only physically but also deep within our beings.
VATA DOSHA
Elements: Air and Ether
Main function: Movement. Vata influences the nervous system and all movements in the body, including peristalsis (involuntary movements in the digestive tract), elimination, circulation, respiration, birthing, and the expression of emotions.
Qualities: Light, cold, dry, rough, mobile/erratic, clear, and subtle.
Time of Day: 2am – 6am and 2pm – 6pm.
Season: Fall through early Winter. You should focus on a diet and lifestyle that pacifies Vata during this season, even if your predominant Dosha isn’t Vata.
Body Type: People with a predominant Vata Dosha tend to be small-framed, thin, and light. They tend toward low stamina and energy and often experience poor circulation, cold extremities, and dry skin.
In the Mind: Positive traits include creativity, enthusiasm, freedom, joy, vitality, adaptability, and generosity.
Vata Out of Balance: When Vata is aggravated, it can show up as gas, bloating, and constipation. Stiff muscles and joints, cramps, and spasms may indicate that Vata is high. In the mind, heightened fear, anxiety, worry, and scattered thoughts become more common. Lower immunity, insomnia, and mood fluctuations are also indications that Vata needs attention.
Tips to Balance Vata:
- Develop and maintain a steady daily routine around mealtimes, exercise, and sleep.
- Practice relaxing and mindful activities that are grounding, such as yoga, meditation, belly breathing, Yoga Nidra, and warm oil massage.
- Dress warmly and avoid the cold.
- Eat cooked, moist, and oily foods.
- Use digestive spices such as Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Turmeric in teas and cooking.
- Use herbal formulas that include adaptogenic and nervine herbs such as Bacopa, Ashwagandha, and Ginseng for the mind.
- Moderate cold drinks, raw foods (like salads), and caffeine.
PITTA DOSHA
Elements: Fire and Water
Main Function: Transformation and digestion.
Qualities: Hot, sharp, light, oily, and liquid.
Time of Day: 10am – 2pm and 10pm – 2am.
Season: Late Spring through Summer. You should focus on a diet and lifestyle that pacifies Pitta during this season, even if you’re predominant Dosha isn’t Pitta.
Body Type: People with predominant Pitta Dosha tend to be of medium, muscular build, strong, and naturally athletic. They typically experience strong digestion, steady energy, and good circulation.
In the Mind: Driven, ambitious, focused, strong-willed, confident, courageous, and intelligent are words that can be used to describe someone with a predominant Pitta Dosha. They enjoy gaining knowledge and experience, and have an aptitude for self-study and growth.
Pitta Out of Balance: When Pitta is out of balance in the body, it can show up as inflammation, infection, skin irritation and breakouts, fever, bleeding, loose stool, and burning sensations. Feelings of anger, jealousy, hyper-competitiveness, and narcissism can manifest in the mind with increased Pitta.
Tips to Balance Pitta:
- Eat cooling foods such as fruits, cucumber, cilantro, coconut, pomegranate, and bitter greens.
- Use herbal formulas that include cooling herbs such as Aloe, Dandelion, Lavender, Passionflower, and Saffron.
- Practice relaxation and meditation to cool excess Pitta in the mind and body.
- Exercise during the coolest times of the day, especially in the Summer season.
- Moderate alcohol, hot/spicy foods, fermented foods, salt, caffeine, and sugar intake.
- Avoid staying up too late (no later than 10pm).
- Limit intense, competitive, and hot forms of exercise/exertion.
- Enjoy water sports and swimming holes in the summer.
KAPHA DOSHA
Elements: Water and Earth
Main Function: Structure and lubrication.
Qualities: Heavy, cold, oily, slow, slimy, soft, static, dense, and liquid.
Time of day: 6am-10am and 6pm-10pm.
Season: Late Winter through early Spring. You should focus on a diet and lifestyle that pacifies Kapha during this season, even if you’re predominant Dosha isn’t Kapha.
Body Type: Kapha types have large bone structure, round bodies, and tend to gain weight quickly. They have large, lustrous eyes and glistening hair. Someone with a predominant Kapha Dosha moves more slowly, but with great endurance and stamina.
In the Mind: Caring, compassionate, nurturing, grounded, patient, supportive, and centered are common traits of a person with a predominant Kapha Dosha.
Kapha Out of Balance: When Kapha is out of balance, it can lead to depression, lethargy, excess mucous, low appetite, swelling, obesity, sweet cravings, and even high cholesterol. Feelings of attachment, aversion to change, greed, stubbornness, and clouded thinking can manifest in the mind when there is excess Kapha.
Tips to Balance Kapha:
- Exercise daily (vigorous exercise is good).
- Wake up early (between 5am-6am).
- Avoid cold drinks and food.
- Drink warm water with lemon throughout the day.
- Eat warming foods with digestive spices such as Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove, Turmeric, and Black Pepper.
- Moderate dairy, wheat, sugar, salt, and snacking between meals.
- Avoid sleeping during the day and sleeping in.
DISCOVER YOUR CONSTITUTION
The first step in incorporating Ayurveda’s wisdom into your own life is to uncover your unique constitution, also known as your Prakruti. You were born with a unique combination of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in your body. Knowledge and understanding of this unique combination are vital in optimizing your health, well-being, and immunity.
Once you know the qualities in your body and mind that are most likely to go out of balance (Dosha), you can incorporate foods, routines, and activities of the opposite qualities to restore balance and energy.
You can also start noticing the qualities in Nature around you and your body and mind. Pause and ask yourself from time to time: What are the qualities of this moment?
Another excellent step for deeper understanding, customizing, and optimizing your health is consulting with an Ayurveda Health Teacher or Coach during one-on-one sessions or group sessions (like workshops).
There’s so much to discover about yourself through the lens of Ayurveda.
May your journey be fruitful, powerful, and healing!
Allie Labate,
Chopra Health™ Ayurveda Teacher
As a Chopra Health™ Ayurveda Teacher, I bring the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda into practical, accessible guidance for modern life. My training is deeply rooted in the teachings of Deepak Chopra, supported by decades of study and practice in the science of Ayurveda, yoga, and holistic wellness.
My passion for yoga and Ayurveda is both professional and personal. It grew from my own journey toward balance—revitalizing my mind, body, and spirit—and has become the guiding force in every aspect of my life.
I’m dedicated to helping others cultivate lasting health, inner calm, and vitality through Ayurveda and yoga, offering guidance that’s grounded, practical, and tailored to each individual.
Credentials & Training:
- Chopra Health™ Ayurveda Teacher (Accredited by IIN)
- Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP)
- 50-Hour Yoga Teacher Training: Rocket Yoga
- 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training: Ashtanga, Rocket Yoga, Vinyasa
- 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training: Power Yoga, Ayurveda
- 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training: Ashtanga, Yin and Restorative, Ayurveda, Meditation & Pranayama