Ayurvedic Constitution: 3 Doshas
The doshas are a fundamental concept in Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India. According to Ayurveda, the human body is composed of three primary doshas, or energies, which are responsible for different functions in the body. Your prakriti is what is most consistent over time and your vikriti relates to the present state in your constitution. See below for online tests to determine your predominant dosha.
Vata dosha is associated with the elements of air and space and is responsible for movement and communication in the body
Pitta dosha is associated with the elements of fire and water and is responsible for digestion, metabolism, and transformation in the body
Kapha dosha is associated with the elements of earth and water and is responsible for stability and structure in the body
Most people are a mixture of 2, eg Pitta/Kapha
Each dosha has physical characteristics
Vata: dry; light; cold; rough; subtle (as opposed to gross); mobile (agitated movement); clear
Pitta: hot; sharp or penetrating; light; liquid; spreading, a little oily or “unctuous” (some describe it as moist); sour
Kapha: cold; wet; heavy, dull, slow; sticky, slimy, or soft and smooth; steady or static; cloudy liquid; dense; gross (as opposed to subtle)
Each dosha affects emotional qualities and functions of the body
Vata: creativity and joy; communication, hearing, touch; respiration, heart function, circulation; elimination of wastes (urine, feces, sweat); movement of thoughts and feelings; and the general functioning of our nervous system
Pitta: intelligence, valor, understanding; hunger, thirst; visual perception; digestion; heat in the body and mind; health of the skin; regulation of the liver; proper function of the small intestine
Kapha: content, forgiveness, compassion, growth; strength, stamina, stability of bodymind; nourishment; lubrication, mucous; repair, regeneration; memory; saliva/taste, smell
Balance and Imbalance
In Ayurveda, the balance of these three doshas is considered to be essential for good health, and imbalances can be addressed through various approaches, including diet, lifestyle, herbs, and other treatments.
When vata is balanced, it provides creativity, enthusiasm, and energy. When vata is not balanced, it can lead to anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia.
When pitta is balanced, it provides intelligence, focus, and motivation. Too much pitta can lead to anger, irritability, and inflammation.
When kapha is balanced, it provides strength, endurance, and calmness. When kapha is out of balance, it can lead to sluggishness, weight gain, and depression.
Restoring Balance
This beautiful ancient holistic system of mindbody medicine is systematic and provides methods to diagnose where we are out of balance, and how to bring ourselves back into balance. Life these days is challenging to our nervous system. These are some of the practical lifestyle change Ayurveda suggests to restore balance in each of the doshas.
Calming vata involves creating a sense of stability and routine, nourishing the body with warm, grounding foods and activities, and minimizing stress and anxiety.
Stick to a regular routine for waking up, eating, exercising, and sleeping
Engage in grounding activities such as walking in nature, gardening, and yoga
Use warm, calming oils such as sesame, almond, or coconut oil for self-massage
Eat warm, nourishing foods such as soups, stews, and cooked vegetables & avoid cold, raw foods and dry, crunchy foods that aggravate the Vata dosha
Reduce or avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine that increase anxiety
Regular meditation can help calm the mind and balance the Vata dosha
Stay warm and avoid drafts as vata is sensitive to cold and can become imbalanced when exposed to cold, windy weather
Pitta is associated with fire and heat and when pitta becomes imbalanced, it can lead to symptoms such as anger, irritability, inflammation, and digestive issues.
Avoid or reduce consumption of hot, spicy, and acidic foods that aggravate pitta
Favor cooling and hydrating foods that are cool, refreshing, and hydrating, such as cucumber, watermelon, coconut, and leafy greens
Practice calming activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing
Avoid excessive sun exposure and heat
Stay hydrated to help cool and balance your body
Adequate rest and sleep are essential for balancing pitta and reducing stress
Some herbs that are known to help cool and balance pitta include coriander, fennel, mint, and rose
Kapha is characterized by qualities such as heaviness, slowness, and coldness and when kapha is imbalanced in the body, it can lead to various health problems such as weight gain, lethargy, congestion, and depression.
Eat warm, light, and spicy foods; avoid heavy, oily, and sweet foods; include vegetables, legumes, grains, and spices like ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon
Engage in regular physical activity that is vigorous and stimulating
Keep a regular routine, get enough sleep, stay active, spend time in nature
Practice meditation or other relaxation techniques to reduce stress
Use invigorating essential oils such as eucalyptus, camphor, and peppermint
Practice yoga poses that are invigorating and energizing, such as sun salutations, warrior poses, and backbends
Please join us Sundays and explore together
Sunday free community class for learning, inquiry and sharing with each other.
April 16 Understanding our doshas, April 23 Balancing our doshas and April 30 Doshas, Thoughts, and Daily Life
In my Sunday Insight Timer Live, we will do a guided somatic inquiry working with:
April 16: Balancing vata and how it relates to the flight response
April 23: Balancing pitta and how it relates to the fight response
April 30: Balancing kapha and how it relates to the freeze response
If you would like to explore which of your doshas is most dominant, here are some simple online tests and a link for more information on Ayurveda.
Resources from Yoga International on Ayurveda
Link to online tests at the Ayurvedic Institute, Dr Vasant Lad
Link to online test at the Chopra Center