The notion of these five elements are not restricted to just Ayurvedic texts. The ancient Japanese philosophy is remarkably similar with its representations of the elements as Chi, Sui, Ka, Fu and Ku, while similar theories of the classic elements can be found throughout the world, in Greece, China, Tibet, New Zealand and even as far west as Denmark.

The five elements or Panchamahabhutas combine in different proportions to form everything in the material world – including us. Each element possesses its unique qualitative nature, both in a material sense and in a more subtle sense.

Earth

represents the earth we live on and the solid state of matter in and around us. It manifests stability, permanence and rigidity. In our body, the parts such as bones, teeth, cells and tissue are manifestations of the earth. In a subtler sense Earth also represents steadfastness of mind, strength of one’s moral fibre, one’s advancement towards fulfilling a goal, and so on – it is a stable substance.

Water

characterises change and represents the liquid state. Water is necessary for the survival of all living things. A large part of the human body is made up of water. By water we also mean the cohesive aspects of reality which flows into and holds things together, such as lymph, blood and hormonal information within the body. Water is a substance without stability.

Fire

is the power to transform solids into liquids, to gas, and back again. In other words, it possesses power to transform the state of any substance. Within our bodies, the fire or energy binds the atoms together. It also converts food to fat (stored energy) and muscle. Fire transforms food into energy. It creates the impulses of nervous reactions, our feelings, and even our thought processes. Fire is considered a form without substance.

Air

is the gaseous form of matter that is mobile and dynamic. Within the body, air (oxygen) is the basis for all energy transfer reactions. It is a key element required for fire to burn. It is that transparent, rarefied, kinetic force which sets the universe in motion; it moves the blood through the vessels, wastes from the body, thoughts through the mind; it moves the birds to warmer climates in winter, it moves the planets around their suns. Air is existence without form.

Ether

is everywhere and touches everything; it is the space in which everything happens. It is the field that is simultaneously the source of all matter and the space in which it exists. In the mind space is the vessel which receives all impressions, in the heart space accepts love; space is receptivity and non-resistance to what is true. The chief characteristic of ether is sound.

So, these five elements form the basis for all things found in the material creation, from a grain of sand to the complex physiology of every human being. We can now see how these elements are the subtlest aspects of life – finer than the molecular, atomic and even sub-atomic levels.

This is the level that Ayurveda works on. Focusing on balancing these elements in just the right way for each unique individual is the key to maintaining health and treating disease should it arise, whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual.

These three forces are known as the three doshas, or simply the tridoshas. The tridoshas regulate every physiological and psychological process in the living organism. The interplay among them determines the qualities and conditions of the individual. A harmonious state of the three doshas creates balance and health; an imbalance manifests as a sign or symptom of disease – either as an excess or a deficiency.

The three Doshas are called

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha

Vata is composed of space and air, Pitta of fire and water, and Kapha of water and earth. Vata dosha has the mobility and quickness of space and air; Pitta dosha the metabolic qualities of fire and water; Kapha dosha the stability and solidity of water and earth. Interestingly, the Sanskrit entomology of the word dosha gives it the meaning of ‘blemish, that which darkens’. This alerts us to the fact that when in balance these forces are life-supporting but when imbalanced they are the agents of disease and misery.

This explains why people can have much in common but also have an endless variety of individual differences in the way they behave and respond to their environment. Ayurveda recognises that different foods, tastes, colours, and sounds affect the doshas in different ways. For example very hot and pungent spices aggravate Pitta; but cold, light foods such as salads calm it down. This ability to control the doshas is the underlying basis for all Ayurvedic healing practices and therapies.

A balance among the Tridoshas is necessary for health. Together, the Tridoshas govern all metabolic activities. When their actions in our mind-body constitution are balanced, we experience psychological and physical wellness. When they are somewhat unbalanced, we may feel uneasy. When they are more obviously unbalanced - when one or more of the three doshas influences are excessive or deficient, discernible symptoms of physical and/or mental sickness can be observed and experienced.

Regardless of the percentages of Vata, Pitta, or Kapha influences, your basic constitution represents your psychological and physical nature. When balance is maintained, health is at optimum. It is important to emphasise that it doesn’t matter which of the three doshas you are (ie there is no preferred constitution). What is important is that your doshas remain in balance with one another. It is the Ayurvedic physician’s job to decipher both the constitution of an individual and if there is any imbalance within. These two conditions are known as your Prakriti (constitution) and Vikriti (imbalance).

This is your base point. Different people have different combinations of Vata, Pitta and Kapha as their Prakriti. This is how Ayurveda can explain the subtle differences between individuals and explains why everyone is unique. Your Prakriti is unique to you just like your fingerprint and DNA. Thus, in order to understand a person, it is necessary to determine his or her Prakriti. Healing Hands has developed an Online Dosha Evaluation Test that can enable you to determine your Prakriti.

Ideally, your constitution remains fixed throughout your life. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Every person is subjected to the constant interaction with his or her environment that will affect the person's constitution at any time. The body will try to maintain a dynamic equilibrium or balance with the environment. Your current condition is called your Vikriti. Although it reflects your ability to adjust to life's influences and is always changing, it should match your Prakriti, or inborn constitution, as closely as possible. If the current proportion of your Dosha differs significantly from your constitutional proportion, it indicates imbalances, which in turn can lead to illness or make you prone to disease. The further your Vikriti is from your Prakriti, more ill you can become. Ayurveda teaches that your Vikriti can be changed so as to approach your Prakriti or the state where you have perfect health.

Prior to embarking on a journey to perfect health and longevity, it is important that you understand your Prakriti and Vikriti and determine how far separated these are. Armed with this knowledge, we can map a treatment strategy. This is the basic premise of Ayurveda.