Discovering Your Dosha Type
The word Ayurveda translates to “Knowledge of life” and dates back 5000 years to ancient Sanskrit texts, the Vedas. Essentially its a form of alternative medicine that originated in India. Ayurveda is governed by the Doshas which adhere to the energetic forces of nature and let us know their functional principles within to help us better innerstand ourselves.
The core of Ayurveda is focused on prevention, general health, and wellness. It relies on a delicate balance between mind body and spirit. In ayurvedic medicine, balance is everything, and it's achieved by harmonizing the three Doshas.
The three Dosha’s are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha we're all made up of a unique combination of these three forces.
The Doshas derive from the Five Elements and their related properties. Vata is composed of Space (Ether) and Air, Pitta of Fire and Water, and Kapha of Earth and Water.
Dosha
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Qualities
Cold, Dry, Light, Swift, Mobile, Clear, Rough
Hot, Oily, Light, Liquid, Sharp, Soft, Spreading
Cool, Wet, Oily, Heavy, Dense, Static, Stable
Vata Dosha — Air + Ether
People dominant in Vata might be thin(light frame), lanky, feel cold, often have dry skin, rough, mobile, and long angular features. Extreme sensitivity to cold, wind, and dry weather. Cold extremities such as hands, feet, and nose.
Their bodily functions include erratic appetites, irregular digestion that is easily disturbed, dryness in the form of constipation, cracking joints and sleep cycles are light, restless sleep.
Vata is associated with the wind (“that which moves things”) and it's all about the energy of movement, bodily movements such as the flow of breath, muscle contraction, tissue movement, cellular mobility, and pulsation of the heart. Activities that bring about a stable and grounding effect are helpful such as morning and nighttime routine and practicing a grounding meditation with your feet in the earth.
Vata imbalances can be counteracted with warming foods, root vegetables, and staying well hydrated is key since this dosha tends to skew towards dryness. The main locations of Vata in the body are the colon, thighs, bones, joints, ears, skin, brain, and nerve tissues. Key Words to remember: Grounding, Warming, Routine
Pitta Dosha — Fire + Water
Pitta types dominated by the fire element are hot in nature, medium size builds, moderate muscle tone, many freckles with a tendency toward rashes or acne, burn easily in the sun, sensitive to heat and humidity. Extremities are warm with good circulation.
Their bodily functions are prone to inflammation of muscle & tissues, Robust, healthy appetite and they got the best digestion of all the three doshas. Sleep cycles are light but moderately good sleep.
Pitta is related to fire (“that which cooks”) the energy of digestion and metabolism in the body regulates endocrine, metabolic and digestive systems. It governs all processes related to transformation throughout the mind and body.
The pitta dosha benefits from cooling activities i.e. cold showers, cool-down stretching exercises and walking next to a body of water. Foods that are hot spicy should be reduced or avoided, beverages like fruit juices and coconut water have a cooling effect. The main locations of Pitta in the body are the small intestine, stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, blood, eyes, and sweat. Key Words to Remember: Cooling, Calming, Moderation
