Six Tastes-Why is it that we reach for certain foods

We all grab for certain foods when we feel hungry. Have you ever thought about why we choose certain foods over others?  One of the reasons is due to the taste.  There are 6 different tastes that the tongue can distinguish between.  They are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent.   These six tastes according to Ayurveda are a combination of the 5 elements in nature just as the body is made of these 5 elements as well.  Our bodies naturally try to balance any imbalances occurring in the body through these tastes. For example if someone is suffering from a vata disorder such as insomnia or anxiety they might naturally go for sweet or salty foods to balance the vata dosha. This is because the sweet taste is a combination of earth and water elements which is grounding for air and ether predominant concerns. 

Let’s take another example.

When we talk of pungency we are referring to spicy.  For example-garlic, ginger, onions, chili pepper.  These foods have the quality of being heating.  Due to its heating nature a pitta individual would want to avoid these foods whereas a kapha person would benefit greatly.  Someone with obesity or mucous congestion would benefit because pungent foods are invigorating and help to flush out the tissues whereas someone with an ulcer or any other pitta condition would be aggravated by these foods. 

In this way it can be interesting to assess the diet and discover the imbalances that are created. The most important thing to keep in mind is that all 6 tastes at each meal can be very balancing and leave one feeling very satisfied.

The VATA TYPE

Are you the type that suffers from insomnia, worries constantly, experiences constipation, has frequent spells of forgetfulness or just can’t seem to follow a routine? If yes, it is the Vata dosha that is out of balance.

 

According to Ayurveda the elements existent in nature such as water, earth, fire, air, and ether are existent within us.  Therefore, the vata dosha consists of the air and ether elements governing all movement in the mind and body.  This includes blood flow, breathing, and movement of thoughts across the mind.  The key qualities of vata include dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile and clear. This gives a good foundation for the necessity of therapies that are beneficial for soothing the vata dosha; specifically abhyanga and shirodhara- two ancient time-honored techniques have tremendous therapeutic value.

 

Both treatments are grounding and warming which is exactly what balances vata- opposite of cold and mobile. 

 

Abhyanga is a specific type of massage technique that can be performed by another individual in a therapeutic setting or as a self-massage as part of a daily morning activity prior to showering.  Essential oils may be used in a base of sesame oil that is warmed slightly.  This massage stimulates both arterial and lymphatic circulation, enlivening and revitalizing the body. 

 

Shirodhara is one of the best forms of calming the mind and achieving a deep state of inner silence.  It is becoming one of the most popular Ayurvedic treatments in the United States. The word Shirodhara translates into shiro meaning head and dhara meaning stream.  This treatment involves a continuous stream of warm oil poured on the third eye. It is very beneficial whenever the mind is over stimulated mostly in the case of vata imbalances.

 

There is of course many other avenues such as diet, exercise and herbs that lead to the healing of vata imbalances but these two therapies have proven to have very good results with the Vata individual.  

BACK BEND -HEART OPENING WORKSHOP AT AYURZONA FEB 9th

AyurZona is pleased to announce a Pre-Valentine Heart Opening Workshop along with Rejuvenation Thai Massage Yoga.Throughout the day we round our shoulders forward to protect ourselves. When we lean backwards we open our chest, allowing our hearts to shine. Join Gabriel Azoulay on an exploration that will unleash your innerlove.Feb 9th 1-3 pmCost $35Gabriel from Rejuvenation Thai Massage Yoga will be teaching. He has spent 3 months in India with back bending master Vinay Kumar who taught him a this unique prac-tice. He has been teaching for more than a decade and can accommodate any level of practice.www.rejuvenationaz.com Held at AyurZona-An Integrative Wellness Center7140 E. 1st Avenue Scottsdale AZ 85251www.ayurzona.com 480-425-ZONA (9662)Please RSVP if you plan on attending! We would love to have you.