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We all have different body types, disposition to illnesses, different lifestyle preferences, and different sets of personality traits. We have unique behavioral patterns and we respond to similar situations differently and uniquely. Some people love the hot weather and others prefer cooler climates and cold foods and beverages. Some have a sweet tooth, others cannot stand it. Some have amazing metabolism while others struggle to digest. What may be healthy for you may not be healthy for someone else. What explains some people’s disposition to anger, calmness or lethargy? And yet it is said that we are all part of the whole. How do we as humans relate to the cosmos that is?
The answer is hidden in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit in this gem of a sutra—Yat Pinde Tat Brahmande, which means, that which is within your body is also in the cosmos as that which is outside is within too and the microcosm is not separate from the macrocosm. This sutra is our best bet in understanding the subtle concept of Doshas and how formative it is to who we are. What are Doshas and how do they define us?
Matter consists of the five elements of nature-air, water, space, fire and earth and our bodies are made of nothing but matter. Doshas are three fundamental bio-energies that get their qualities from a combination of the five elements of nature. Still fuzzy about it? Let us explain.
Our body type, moods, personality traits, and disposition to illnesses are influenced by what is termed as Prakruti in the science of Ayurveda. Ancient deeply probed Ayurvedic texts state that this basic constitution of ours is more or less determined at the time we are conceived and remains so through our life and it is what gives us our individual physiological and psychological identities. Prakruti is governed by tridoshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—which control vital life processes in our body-mind complex. The pitta dosha, constituted by the fire and water element, governs digestion. The vata dosha is the air and space element and it governs all types of movements in the body. The kapha dosha is made up of earth and water elements, governs lubrication, moisturization and reinforcement in the body. It is the grounding dosha.
Commonly, in a person, two of three doshas dominate that form our prakruti. When you live a life in alignment with the tendencies and nature of the predominant doshas, then what you achieve is a life of total balance, one where your body, mind and spirit is in harmony with nature. But owing to various factors and influences like poor lifestyle choices, or choices that we unknowingly make that aggravate the doshas, stress, pollution or impurities in the environment and lifestyle practices that are not aligned to the laws of nature, doshas can get out of balance. When doshas stay imbalanced, toxins build up in the system and the dosha-related functions in the body are affected, leading to illnesses and disease. For example, people with predominance of kapha should have more warm foods, stay in warmer climates or atmosphere. But if they are continuously exposed to colder climates, consume food cold or heavy in nature, kapha dosha is bound to get out of balance, resulting in sluggishness, lethargy, and low energy.
Vata Dosha draws its qualities from space and ether and therefore is the force behind movement in the body. Usually a Vata person has a thin body, is talkative and hyperactive, extroverted, and has low body weight, dry skin, brittle nails and hair. They usually like warm weather and hot beverages. But their tolerance for cold is modest. Vata people are quite imaginative.
Seat of Vata is in the abdomen right near the naval and it includes the colon, pelvis, thighs, large intestine, rectum, bones, bone marrow, skin, the nervous system and respiratory organs. It regulates functions like sensory impulses, breath, elimination, blood circulation and pumping of blood. It is also the force that kindles digestive fire, since fire cannot exist without air.
Signs That Vata is Out of Balance
Vata Disorders
Some illnesses and discomfort that can be caused by vata vitiation include
Tips for Vata
Pitta combines fire and water elements (predominantly fire). Pitta is the dosha that governs the stability of our mind. Pitta people are usually very active, good looking with resplendent skin and hair. They are perfectionists, quick thinkers, and leaders who thrive in challenging situations. They may also be short tempered. They are moderately built, have sharp facial features, pinkish lips, and warm skin. They have good digestion and so they can eat a lot and still manage to remain fit and lean. They may have premature hair graying and hair loss problems.
Some of Pitta dosha’s main functions include
Signs of Pitta Imbalance
Pitta Related Disorders
When pitta is aggravated, it can lead to inflammations, skin problems, and muscle disorders, among others. Some diseases that can be caused when pitta imbalance is not corrected are skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis, fatigue, migraine pain, acid reflux, tendinitis, jaundice, pharyngitis, skin redness, and low glucose levels.
Tips for Pitta People
Pitta-dominant people predominance need to keep in mind the following:
Kapha dosha draws from earth and water elements. People with a predominance of kapha are generally the happiest of the three doshas but also the slowest of the three doshas. It may be a task to get them to adhere to deadlines. Kapha people are usually calm, cool headed, sensitive, lazy, cheerful, affectionate, and love the status quo. They have bodies that are thickset, dark hair, white prominent teeth. Their skin is moist, thick, and cool to touch. They have a good memory and are creative. They are methodical in their approach and have good immunity. Injustice or misery around them can affect them significantly. Kapha dosha acts as the binding and lubricating agent in the joints and muscles. It maintains the moisture in the body and skin. They have relatively slow metabolism with a decent appetite. This can make kapha people prone to weight gain.
The kapha dosha is located most importantly in the chest and in the bones, muscles, throat, head, stomach, fat, nose, and tongue. Interestingly, it is an imbalance in kapha dosha that can lead you to have coughing problems.
Signs of Kapha Imbalance
Lethargy, lack of routine, overeating, and irregular sleeping habits can all easily lead to kapha imbalance in a person. Over accumulation of kapha leads not only to illnesses, but also interferes with our ability to complete daily tasks. When in balance, Kapha people experience positive emotions like affection, lovingness and centeredness but if Kapha dosha gets out of balance then it could become the source of negative emotions like greed or jealousy. Some other signs of kapha imbalance may include
Kapha Disorders
Kapha imbalance can trigger diseases like anorexia, respiratory diseases like bronchitis, cough and cold, obesity, sinus aggravation, digestive disorders, metabolic disorders, goiter and joint disorders.
Tips for Kapha
Now that we have a brief overview of doshas, the next step is for you to know your dosha predominance in your prakruti or unique constitution. How can you do that? Consider an Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultation
