Ayurveda psychology is closely connected to three gunas. In both yoga and Ayurveda, it is understood that nature is composed of three primal qualities which are subtle forces that pervade the universe. These qualities are called the ‘gunas,’ in Sanskrit. Gunas mean ‘what binds’ because when they are misused they bind us to ‘maya,’ or the illusion of separation.
The gunas exist within all matter, the mind and all aspects of our life including people, food, places, etc. All objects of the universe consist of various combinations of the three gunas. Let’s explore the three gunas in greater detail.