What the Hell’s a Guna—and Why Are They Always in Pairs

Learn how the Ayurvedic concept of gunas helps balance body and mind.

According to the ancient system of Ayurveda, the world—including our bodies and minds—is composed of the five great elements: Ether (space), Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. These elements express themselves through distinct qualities, known as gunas.

Each guna carries an energetic essence. For example, coolness is linked with the Air element, while heat corresponds with Fire. Once you start observing them, the gunas begin to show up everywhere: in your food, environment, conversations, even your thoughts and behaviors.

Ayurveda teaches us how to use these qualities to maintain health or address imbalance. Two core principles guide this process:

Principle One: Like Increases Like

Let’s say you just came in from a cloudy 25-degree day without enough layers. Then you sit down and drink a tall glass of ice water. You’d probably feel colder. That’s like increasing like—cold plus cold equals more cold.

Principle Two: Opposites Heal

Now imagine that same scenario, but instead of ice water, you sip a warm bowl of soup. Slowly, you begin to feel warmer, steadier. That’s the second principle in action: opposites heal and balance.

This is why the gunas are always discussed in pairs. Each guna has an opposite that can restore harmony. When we understand how to recognize them, we can make simple but powerful shifts—often using resources we already have.

The 10 Pairs of Gunas

Different Ayurvedic texts offer slightly varied lists of gunas, but most agree on the following ten pairs as a comprehensive foundation and framework for applying basic principles:

  • Heavy – Light

  • Slow/Dull – Sharp/Penetrating

  • Cold – Hot

  • Oily – Dry

  • Smooth – Rough

  • Dense – Liquid

  • Soft – Hard

  • Stable – Mobile

  • Gross – Subtle

  • Cloudy/Sticky – Clear

By identifying a guna expressing itself in excess, we can apply its opposite to bring the system back into balance. 

Guna Awareness in Everyday Life

This isn’t just about food or temperature. Gunas show up in your daily lifestyle, too.

Say your job keeps you constantly on the move—walking, talking, problem-solving. That’s the mobile guna at work. Over time, it may build up and manifest as racing thoughts, anxiety, or physical tension. While quitting your job may not be an option, you can bring in the opposite quality: stability.

How? Maybe it’s sitting down for a quiet meal instead of eating in the car. Maybe it’s a slow yoga practice, a few minutes of meditation, or simply enjoying a cup of warm tea in silence.

The Takeaway: Mindful Choices, Meaningful Change

What’s beautiful about Ayurveda is how intuitive it can be. You may already be practicing this wisdom without even realizing it. But by learning to recognize the gunas and consciously applying their opposites, you begin to live with more intention. Over time, these small, mindful choices can lead to better health, calmer minds, and a more balanced way of being.

Just remember: Ayurveda is not a substitute for professional care, especially in cases of serious health concerns. But it is an incredible complement—a practical, empowering tool to help you understand yourself and the world more deeply.

And when you’re feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or untethered, yoga might just be the opposite guna you need.

🧘‍♂️ You can find that grounding, stabilizing practice at Tejas Yoga—in person, virtually, or anytime On Demand with the Tejas app. Let your practice bring you back into balance.

James Tennant