Ayurveda 101: A Beginner’s Cheat Sheet to the Elements, Doshas, and Daily Rhythms

Ayurveda is often called the “science of life,” and that’s exactly what it is: an ancient system of living well that helps us find balance in body, mind, and spirit.

At its heart, Ayurveda is simple. It teaches us to observe the natural world — the elements, the cycles, the rhythms — and apply those same principles to how we eat, rest, move, and care for ourselves.

If you’re new to Ayurveda, this guide will walk you through the basics: the five elements, the three doshas, and the defining principles that make Ayurveda such a powerful and practical way to live.

The Five Elements (Pancha Mahabhutas)

Ayurveda begins with the building blocks of nature. Everything — including your body — is made up of five elements:

• Earth: Stability, heaviness, density. Think of bones, muscles, and the ground beneath your feet.

• Water: Cohesion, lubrication, flow. Found in blood, lymph, and fluids of the body.

• Fire: Transformation, heat, energy. Responsible for digestion, metabolism, and clarity of mind.

• Air: Movement, lightness, mobility. Governs breath, circulation, and nerve impulses.

• Ether: Space, expansion, subtlety. The container for everything — the openness that allows movement and connection.

The Three Doshas

The elements combine into three main patterns of energy called doshas:

1. Vata (Air + Ether)

   • Qualities: light, dry, cold, mobile, irregular

   • Governs: movement, creativity, nervous system, breath

   • Out of balance: anxiety, restlessness, constipation, insomnia

   • Balanced: creative, adaptable, energetic, clear-minded

     
     

2. Pitta (Fire + Water)

   • Qualities: hot, sharp, oily, intense, focused

   • Governs: digestion, metabolism, intelligence, vision

   • Out of balance: anger, irritability, inflammation, acid reflux

   • Balanced: courageous, intelligent, decisive, radiant

     
     

3. Kapha (Earth + Water)

   • Qualities: heavy, slow, cool, stable, nourishing

   • Governs: growth, lubrication, immunity, strength

   • Out of balance: lethargy, weight gain, congestion, attachment

   • Balanced: grounded, compassionate, steady, strong

Most of us have one dominant dosha, but all three are present in every body. Balance, not perfection, is the goal.

The Defining Features of Ayurveda

What sets Ayurveda apart from other health systems is its focus on daily rhythm, individuality, and prevention.

Here are the three defining features to know:

1. Rhythm is Medicine

Ayurveda sees health as living in sync with natural cycles: morning and night, eating and digestion, seasons and life stages. When you align your daily habits with these rhythms, your body naturally finds balance.

Example: Going to bed by 10 PM supports the body’s natural repair window, leading to deeper sleep and better mornings.

2. Opposites Balance

Too much of one quality is balanced by its opposite.

• Too much heat (anger, inflammation)? Cool down with rest, cooling foods, calming breath.

• Too much heaviness (sluggish digestion, lethargy)? Lighten with spices, movement, and uplifting routines.

• Too much movement (scattered mind, insomnia)? Ground with steady routines, warm foods, and Earth-like practices.

3. Individualized Living

There’s no one-size-fits-all in Ayurveda. What grounds one person may overwhelm another. Your constitution (dosha), your current state, and your circumstances all guide what’s best for you.

That’s why in Aligned Body Ayurveda, I teach people to listen inward — to pause, notice, and choose practices that balance what’s happening in the moment.

Ayurveda + ABA: A Modern Take

Ayurveda is timeless, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or old-fashioned.

With Aligned Body Ayurveda, I weave these principles into modern life — using simple practices that fit into a busy schedule while still honoring the essence of Ayurveda.

Think of ABA as a living method that helps you:

• Start your day with clarity and alignment

• Eat in a way that fuels energy, not fog

• Move with purpose, not punishment

• Rest in sync with your body’s natural rhythms

• Build lasting resilience through joy, connection, and Ojas

Ayurveda 101 Key Takeaways

• Ayurveda is the science of daily living, rooted in rhythm and balance.

• The five elements make up everything, including your body.

• The three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) describe your unique constitution.

• Health = syncing with rhythms, balancing opposites, and living individually.

• Small daily practices — like warm water, mindful meals, or aligning movement — create lasting change.

Next Steps with ABA

If this Ayurveda 101 guide inspired you, take the next step:

• Try my 7-Day ABA Bootcamp for simple, daily practices that reset your rhythms.

• Explore my Seasonal Reset or Full Support coaching to personalize Ayurveda + movement for your life. Learn more on my offerings page.