Ayurvedic constitutions (vata, pitta, and kapha), the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, ether), and how to eat in a more Ayurvedically balanced way.

To help clients identify their Ayurvedic constitutions (doshas) and to allow them to develop a meal plan (including good meal habits), one meal at a time. During the first session, an explanation of the five basic elements and the doshas (vata, pitta, kapha, along with combinations) will be offered. Each client will be given with a constitution assessment form (provided in the Ayurveda course). After completion of the assessment, the client will be taught about methods by which to maintain doshic balance. Elements of lifestyle will be discussed, such as regularity of meals, types of food which may be aggravating or balancing, times during the year when to take particularly care of one’s self, and other aspects. Informational sheets corresponding to meal suggestions for the client’s constitution will be provided (information would come from Ayurvedic course materials). Homework: The client will choose one daily meal which to make more Ayurvedicaly balanced (e.g. dinner). If she choses to make changes to more than one meal, this would be encouraged, but one meal will be focused on, so as not to overwhelm the client. Client is to eat the meal in silence and as slowly as possible, attempting to concentrate on the act of eating. The client will be encouraged to journal about how she feels after eating the meal. During the second session, the client will discuss her experience with the Ayurvedically balanced meal. If she choses to write a journal, that will be reviewed. Any questions or challenges the client may have faced in making the meal change will be discussed. There will be a new goal set of making another meal of the day which is Ayurvedically balancing. If the client was not able to make the meal change, and is willing to try again, a new plan will be made, making modifications that account for the challenges faced.

Client A: 21 year old female who has been experiencing abdominal distension and gas, with a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder. She is a graduate student. Eating schedule depends on her rigorous class schedule. Client B: 35 year old female with long history of constipation who has diagnoses of Attentional Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Major Depressive disorder. Currently works as a medical professional in a strenuous work environment. Has erratic eating patterns which depend on her work schedule. Many pre-cooked meals.

During the first session, an explanation of the five basic elements and the doshas (vata, pitta, kapha, along with combinations) will be offered.

Each client will be given with a constitution assessment form (provided in the Ayurveda course). After completion of the assessment, the client will be taught about methods by which to maintain doshic balance. Elements of lifestyle will be discussed, such as regularity of meals, types of food which may be aggravating or balancing, times during the year when to take particularly care of one’s self, and other aspects.

Informational sheets corresponding to meal suggestions for the client’s constitution will be provided (information would come from Ayurvedic course materials).

Homework: The client will choose one daily meal which to make more Ayurvedicaly balanced (e.g. dinner). If she choses to make changes to more than one meal, this would be encouraged, but one meal will be focused on, so as not to overwhelm the client. Client is to eat the meal in silence and as slowly as possible, attempting to concentrate on the act of eating.

The client will be encouraged to journal about how she feels after eating the meal.

During the second session, the client will discuss her experience with the Ayurvedically balanced meal. If she choses to write a journal, that will be reviewed. Any questions or challenges the client may have faced in making the meal change will be discussed. There will be a new goal set of making another meal of the day which is Ayurvedically balancing. If the client was not able to make the meal change, and is willing to try again, a new plan will be made, making modifications that account for the challenges faced.

The client is to use mindful eating. This is designed to help the client appreciate the tastes and textures of each food, allowing her to feel when she is full and thus, stop her from over eating. The client is also encouraged to use reflection, in the form of journal writing. This would also allow her to notice how she feels after each meal and could help to reinforce the positive effect of using Ayurveda to plan her meals.

Client A was very motivated to participate in this exercise. She was open to learning about the principles of Ayurveda. She has multiple questions pertaining to the concepts of the five elements. She filled out the Ayurvedic assessment and was found to have a predominance of the Vata dosha. Thus, the session was focused on lifestyle suggestions for those with a predominance of the Vata dosha. Additionally, a list of Vata pacifying foods was provided to her. She decided to apply the principles of Ayurveda to her breakfast meal. She scanned the list and chose to eat oatmeal every morning, with soy milk, sweetened with maple syrup.
She agreed to journal about the experience of eating the meal and to eat in silence, as slowly as possible, concentrating on the act of eating.

The follow up session occurred about one week later. Client A brought in her journal; she chose to use an audio journal which she recorded on her cellphone. This, instead of a written journal, was more harmonious with her busy lifestyle. The key points of the audio were reviewed. She noted that she felt calmer, during the day, than she usually did. She also noted that she felt less hungry during other meal times, and that she had less abdominal gas than she used to have.

She also tried to incorporate a few of the lifestyle suggestions which were taught. The first was, as stated above, eating a regular breakfast. Also, she attempted to eat the other meals of the day with greater regularity and more mindfully. She has been able to focus more on getting to bed at an earlier hour and has attempted to decrease caffeine intake.

Overall, client A was very grateful for the education and the practice that was offered. She reported feeling more in control of her life.

The plan is to continue to follow up with Client A, at least once a month, as she continues to incorporate more lifestyle changes into her daily routine. If the client is amenable, further information about lifestyle and dietary suggestions can be offered as she continues to evolve.

Yes. The intended goals of educating the client about her Ayurvedic constitution and the principles of Ayurveda, and empowering her to change her diet were achieved. The client's motivation was key to the accomplishment of the goals, as it required a substantial change for her. She typically did not eat breakfast at all, and for one week, ate breakfast everyday.

The client used an audio journal instead of a written journal. This helped me learn to mention this option to clients in the future, as it may allow for busy clients to still participate in the journalling process.

This client did not require other adaptations.

In the future, I will plan to mention that audio journals can be used as well. One issue that will likely arise with this (which did not arise for this client) is the length of the audio journal and how much time it would take to review it in the follow up session. I imagine, it would be helpful to let clients know that if they do decide to do an audio journal, to also jot down one of two key words, so that when we review the journal together, it would not require an extended period of time.

This client had a follow up one week later, after the first session. Though this was not originally considered, following up in one or two weeks is likely ideal for future clients. It would be easier for someone to commit to doing a lifestyle change for one or two weeks as opposed to three or four weeks. It seems it would be helpful to keep the time between the first and second sessions short, to promote adherence to the new regimen. Of course, ideally, clients will continue the lifestyle changes even after the follow up session.