YOUR MIND & BODY TYPE IS AIR + FIRE + EARTH (TRIDOSHIC)
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Individuals in this type are the rare and fortunate people who are an equal combination of AIR, FIRE and EARTH. They enjoy a very sturdy constitution, tend to get sick less than others and can tolerate a wide variety of seasons and environmental conditions. By nature, their constitutional forces will tend to balance each other and maintain a healthy equilibrium. This type can be variable, dependent on how AIR, FIRE & EARTH blend with one another but are more likely to find a harmonious balance in life and can be meditative, fit, healthy, and emotionally stable.
MIND
AIR + FIRE + EARTH individuals are noticed for generally being even, steady and poised. They have a pleasant disposition and sharp minds that can still find mental peace. Very little to nothing flusters them; we often say they radiate peace and strength. They are neither lethargic nor wound up; their mind is alert and relaxed at the same time. In short, they are the happy types, at peace with themselves. Because it’s more difficult for them to get out of balance, the general principle of living and eating with the seasons and their environment is recommended for AIR + FIRE + EARTH types. The only scenario in which problems arise is when such individuals go against their basic nature throwing their Mind & Body type out of balance.
BODY
The AIR + FIRE + EARTH individuals are usually of medium build, neither too thin nor too corpulent. If these types—who are inherently at ease and in harmony—eat the wrong foods, travel too much, and do not stay true to themselves over a longer period of time, AIR issues such as sleep and digestive disorders, and anxiety may occur. FIRE disorders such as gastritis, heat flashes, difficulty falling asleep, and mushy bowl movements are also possible. If EARTH acts against the AIR and FIRE disorders, obesity, lethargy, and depressions may occur.
HOW TO BALANCE AIR + FIRE + EARTH
Being an equal amount of AIR, FIRE and EARTH, these individuals typically enjoy the best of health and will have little to worry about. To preserve this balance and/or treat imbalances when they do occur, they need to use a combination of lifestyle practices including a seasonal diet, regular exercise, and supporting herbs.
Browse through the following guidelines to understand how to balance your AIR + FIRE + EARTH Mind & Body Type. As you read through the suggestions below, keep in mind that no one expects you to shift your lifestyle and diet overnight. Slow and steady shifts are huge wins and, based on our experience, you’ll feel them right away.
PACIFYING LIFESTYLE
Food: What we eat is at the crux of our wellbeing so take a look at the food guidelines below and try to follow them as much as you can.
Make lunch your biggest meal. The ideal plant-based lunch is Kitchari.
Eat 3 meals a day: Don’t skip meals, AIR + FIRE + EARTH individuals need three meals a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner should be about the same size. They should not eat too much or too little. If you’re hungry 3 hours after a meal is that your portions were too light, if you’re still not hungry 6 hours after: then the meal was too heavy. Regular meals times is very important for this type. Snacking should be avoided between meals.
Eat seasonally as it will provide you with the specific nourishment you need in each particular season.
Daily routine: Try to instill a daily routine in your life to stay grounded. It may sound boring but the body loves routine as it grounds the mind. E.g. try going to bed, waking up and eating at the same time everyday then you can make the stuff in between as exciting as you’d like!
Workouts: Keep workouts varied, switching from rigorous and competitive like cardio, spinning and bootcamp to non-competitive workouts like yoga, hiking, swimming, tai chi, or rowing.
Sleep: Make rest and sleep a priority – along with diet, sleep is at the corner stone of anyone’s state of balance so getting 8 hours of sleep on average is paramount. Read more: How to finally sleep better
Self-care: Nurture and self-care through daily Ayurvedic self-massage using oil… think of it as a replacement for applying body lotion after your shower. It is soothing and grounding for AIR + FIRE + EARTH types. Read more: Self body massage with oil
Rest: Take a break with contemplative activities like meditation. Although balanced, AIR + FIRE + EARTH types can also be taxed by our ever faster, and demanding society. Integrating daily meditation can have tremendous effects at maintaining your natural poised & level-headed nature.
Cleanse every Spring: Do a seasonal cleanse, like our 3 day Mind-Body Reset, every Spring to help avoid seasonal allergies and keep you healthy fit and good tone.
RECOMMENDED HERBS
Regular elimination: Triphala: detoxifies the GI tract by cleansing the colon, eliminating excess toxins and heat while supporting healthy bowel movements. These herbs can be taken upon waking and before bed.
Strong nervous system: Brahmi: renowned mental rejuvenative traditionally used to promote the intellect, enhance mental alertness, and support proper function of the nervous system. These herbs can be taken upon waking and before bed.
Calm mind: Ashwagandha: increases energy while combatting stress and assisting in calming the mind for a restful sleep. These herbs can be taken in the morning and in the evening.
PACIFYING FOOD GUIDELINES
YOUR IDEAL DIET
Warm & cooked over cold & raw: Favor warm cooked foods, like Kitchari, since they are easier to digest, drink hot or warm beverages that are not cooler than room temperature. Avoid ice cold beverages, and raw salads and sushi.
Eat a mix of light & heavy foods: Balance your diet by eating both, light foods like cooked green veggies which are wonderfully light, and grounding and nourishing foods with sustenance like cooked grains, root vegetables, stewed fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Balance dry with moist and oily: Eat a mix of drying foods like soaked beans (easier to digest when soaked), sweet potatoes, dried fruits, rice cakes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, dark leafy greens and popcorn with moist and oily foods like wet cereal, eggs, milk, healthy fats like ghee, butter, oils, nut butters, yogurt, avocados, berries, melons, summer squash and zucchini.
Eat a mix of the 6 tastes in each meal:
Sweet tastes: Favor lean meats (like turkey and chicken), fruits, grains, root veggies, milk, nuts, yogurt. Favor replacing wheat with carbohydrates like barley, oat, quinoa, rice and corn. Barley in particular is very good for keeping cholesterol, blood sugar and cravings in check. Eliminate red meats like pork and beef and refined sugars and other sugary sweet foods like pies, cookies, pastries etc.
Pungent tastes: In moderation, eat spicy & hot foods like black pepper, chilies, radishes, turnips, raw onions and most spices: cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, garlic, paprika, and turmeric. They cleanse the mouth, stimulate digestion and encourage sweating but eaten in excess, they can dry you out and increase inflammation.
Bitter tastes: Favor bitter greens like zucchini, spinach, kale, dandelion greens, cabbage, sunchokes, dark chocolate, cumin, saffron, turmeric. The bitter taste is exceptionally cooling, and also drying. It helps to absorb moisture, muscle fat and sweat. Eaten in excess, they can be very drying and trigger constipation.
Astringent tastes: Legumes like beans, chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, raw apples, cranberries, pomegranate, artichoke, broccoli, cauliflower, popcorn and rice cakes are beneficial to toning bodily tissues and removing excess fluid. Eaten in excess, they can be very drying & trigger constipation.
Sour tastes: A squeeze of lemon juice, sour fruits like green grapes, oranges, grapefruits and pineapple create secretion which promotes hydration and improves digestion while eliminating excess gas and bloating. Eaten in excess, it can increase thirst, water retention and swelling.
Salty tastes: In moderation, eat salty tastes like mineral salt, soy sauce, and seaweed as they stimulate digestion and help retain moisture and electrolytes. Eaten in excess, they increase moisture and oiliness in the body and encourage swelling.
*This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.