What is a central concept in Ayurveda?

• A. Qi energy in the body.
• B. Doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha; balance, digestion, and lifestyle/dietary practices to maintain health.
• C. Meridians along which qi flows.
• D. The five elements of earth, air, fire, water, ether.

Answer: (B)

In Ayurveda, the doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—are the fundamental energies that shape our constitution and health. Health arises from keeping these energies in balance through proper digestion (agni), daily routines, and personalized diet and lifestyle choices. Everyone has a unique dosha blend (prakriti), and illness is seen as an imbalance (vikriti) that Ayurveda seeks to correct by restoring harmony with tailored practices. While the five elements are part of how the doshas are formed, the most central idea students should grasp is balancing these three energies to support well-being.