The basic Ayurvedic belief is that everything in this universe, including man, is made up of five elements called panchamahabhutas -akasha (space), vayu (air), agni (fire), jala (water) and prithvi (earth). These panchamahabhutas combine into three doshas or the tridoshas, namely vata, pita and kapha. The tridoshas are vital energies responsible for all psychological and physiological processes in the body.

Ayurvedic medicine is based on the belief that every individual is a unique combination of the tridoshas. Our constituition or our prakriti is determined by our dominant dosha. Each of us was born with a certain prakriti and it remains with us for life.

When all doshas work in balance, good health reigns. This balance depends on various factors like diet, digestion, elimination of body wastes and emotional and spiritual states.

Ayurveda helps us to understand our prakriti and to live in a way that emphasizes the positive aspects.

When the doshas become imbalanced ill health results. The skill of an Ayurveda practitioner lies in assessing an individual's constitution, diagnosing the imbalance and deciding upon the best possible treatment to restore the balance. Ayurveda utilizes diet, herbs, yoga, detoxification by panchakarma, meditation and prayer to achieve this purpose.