Āyurveda to Support Harmonious Aging
In modern times, and perhaps throughout time, we have been obsessed with the concept of aging, or should I say appearing not to age.
Even in the classic Āyurvedic texts, longevity is said to be the goal. With feature length films documenting centenarian ultra-marathoners, and magazine articles doling out advice about the key ingredients that made a select group of people live so long, it’s safe to say that we all want to maintain the luster of youth well into our golden years. As the comedian (and a centenarian himself) George Burns said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” So how can we begin to support the biological process of aging, without succumbing to the psychological stigma that makes us run around in fear of age.
“According to Āyurveda, jara/aging is not a disease but a natural phenomenon like hunger, thirst, or sleep.” [1]
And, like all natural phenomenon, it has a pre-determined progression, called vaya or stages of life. During each stage of life, there are different influences and biological factors at play; therefore, the lifestyle we adopt can either act to compliment these natural aging rhythms, or aggravate them.
Three-Stages of Life
The stages of life in Āyurveda are divided into three parts, each stage having an association with a period of time and a combination of elemental forces called dosha. These stages include Bala (Childhood), Madhya (Middle Age), and Vriddha (Old Age).[2] While each stage has all three doshas, one is considered dominant (Table 1). As per classic Ayurvedic texts, childhood is associated with the structural earth elements of kapha, middle age with the vigor and vitality of pitta, and old age with the light, airy qualities of vāta.
To maintain health, it is important to align ourselves with life’s progressions, being mindful of the qualities that are approaching, while remaining present with our current stage.
Table - Stages of Life & Dosha[3]
Healthy Practice for Throughout Life
As we all age kapha, the structural grounded elements of our body, naturally decrease. And, what fills in this new space… vāta! That means that throughout life one should be promoting habits that reduce vāta.
Below are some tips that can help in managing vāta during any stage of life.
1. Ground, Nourish and Stabilize. Vāta is mobile and in our fast paced society moving, thinking, talking, generating, and staying busy are prized. When these qualities become to high, consider integrating activities that promote the opposite qualities such as a daily mindfulness session. This could look like taking a quiet walk in nature, developing a meditation practice, enjoying a warm bath, or silently eating a meal. You choose the method, but do something that promotes calming the body and mind.
2. Warm it Up. Vāta is cold; so, during cold months try adding more warm, moist foods to your diet like a grounding sweet potato soup made with coconut milk, a warm porridge, or some heating spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, black pepper, or ginger.
3. Favor Moist over Dry. Vāta is dry, needing extra lubrication. Doing a weekly abhyanga (self oil massage) can be a great way to pacify vāta and decrease dryness in the body. Definitely a “must do” fall and winter remedy for those with dry skin, hair, and/or joints.
4. Smooth it Out. Vāta is rough. The best way to pacify this quality is to ensure that you are not eating too many raw foods, innately rough in quality, like raw veggies, smoothies, and salads. Too many of these cold, rough foods is tough on your digestive system and can cause vāta to become aggravated. Remember the slogan, like increases like. So to pacify vāta, promote the opposite qualities by cooking your veggies and adding a bit of oil.
[1] R.V. Rao / Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 9 (2018) pg. 227.
[2] Charaka Samhita.
[3] Taken from The concept of aging in Āyurveda by Prakash Behere of the D.Y. Patil Education Society in Kolhapur
About the author
Emily Murphy Kaur, M.A. & M.S., and her husband Harmeet Singh own Sētu Vermont, an applied yoga and meditation research institute where they guide retreats, teach classes, and direct trainings with the goal of supporting individuals on a path to personalized wellness.