Doshas
Doshas are a combination of the five elements: Ether, air, fire, water, and earth.
Balance the Elements Within
When our current conditions are in balance with our true nature, we are in a state of perfect health.
What brings perfect health?
Doshas are a combination of the five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. When the elements combine to form the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, certain qualities, or gunas are present in the dosha. The gunas are the characteristics that an individual presents physically, mentally, and emotionally. Each person has a dosha or set of characteristics that has been present in them since birth. When our current conditions are in balance with our true nature, we are in a state of perfect health. Everyone has some combination of all the elements, and therefore some of each of the qualities of the doshas, though some aspects will be more dominant than others. The descriptions below give details of the characteristics and attributes for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata = air + ether
Dry, light, cold, rough, mobile, subtle
Vata is related to the wind. It's cool, dry, and can easily move from one place to the next. In the same way that the wind brings cold, dry weather across the landscape, it manifests as coldness, dryness, and mobility in the body. Vata individuals tend to be very active, running, dancing, moving from one task to the next, and can’t sit still. They like change whether it be a new job, moving into a new house, or traveling to new places and meeting new people. This desire for change can show up as a lack of commitment or difficulty keeping a routine. They are always on the go, and may have a hectic, erratic schedule or be caught multi-tasking. Those with a Vata constitution experience dryness in the body in various areas - dry, rough skin, dry, brittle hair and nails, and internal dryness leading to constipation. They often feel cold, have cold hands and feet, and have coldness and cracking in the joints. The subtleness of Vata often shows up in their physical appearance, as they are usually thin or underweight with a delicate bone structure and will have thin, wispy hair.
Their mental activity is also variable, like the wind. Vata individuals characteristically have an active mind that often leads to feelings of anxiety, worry, nervousness, and fear. In a state of balance, though, their active minds demonstrate a sense of creativity, quickly grasping new concepts, and being open minded. Their active minds and tendency for movement usually leads to interrupted sleep and vivid dreams.
To maintain health and well-being, Vata types need to balance the light, mobile, dry energy of the wind with the stable, grounding qualities of the earth. Warm, oily meals will nourish the body from the inside out. Routines, slowing down to observe mealtimes, and making time for mindful activities will help keep a Vata person healthy and happy.
Pitta = fire + water
Hot, light, oily, mobile, liquid
Pitta is the fire of digestion and transformation in the body. Like a fire, the digestive system of a Pitta individual burns hot, and they tend to feel warm, have a strong appetite, and a tendency for a hot temper. Like the sharp, light flames of a fire, a person with a Pitta constitution has a sharp memory, strong intellect, and an active, logical mind. They are good leaders and organizers, often running and managing businesses. If the heat is turned up too high, their ambition and discipline can turn to harsh criticism or an aggressive, competitive, and controlling personality. Their drive and enthusiasm can also lead to a propensity to work to excess and demand perfection. The heat of Pitta may show up physically in the body in a person who has a tendency for rashes, skin inflammation, acne, or heartburn.
In addition to fire, Pitta is composed of water, leading to qualities of liquid and oiliness. The opposite of a Vata, Pittas will have soft, oily skin, hair and nails. They are the most likely of the doshas to develop baldness or thinning hair. They also tend to have soft, liquid stools, leading to easy elimination. Pitta individuals are characteristically muscular or fit with a medium build and rosy, smooth complexion.
To cool off the fire, Pitta individuals should balance heat, light, and mobility through the coolness, grounding, and sweetness of the earth element. Avoiding anything that brings excess heat to the body and favoring cooling foods and herbs will encourage wellness and vitality for those with a Pitta predominance.
Kapha = water + earth
Cold, oily, heavy, soft, static, smooth
Kapha embodies the stability of cool, damp earth. Kapha is the foundation for building strength and stamina in the body. Kapha individuals are steady, reliable, caring, and peaceful. Like the heavy, damp earth, they tend to move more slowly than Vata or Pitta types. They are content being sedentary without a lot of stimulation or activity. They tend to want to sleep more, though they don’t need it and will feel groggy in the morning. Kapha individuals are quite stable in their routines and will tend to do the same types of activities day after day, engaging in traditions year after year, and eating the same types of foods each week. They are characteristically loving, nurturing types who are patient and forgiving. They may take a while to grasp a concept, but once it has been understood, they will remember it forever. Since Kapha types tend to hold onto things, they often save money and will not spend it often. Out of balance, their affinity toward retention can manifest as attachment, greed, or a heavy depression.
Physically, Kapha types have a larger frame, will put on weight easily, and have luscious, soft, oily hair and skin. Their strong and stable build makes them well-suited to lift weights, put on muscle, and engage in vigorous exercise. Dampness being a predominant quality in their bodies, they have a propensity toward congestion in the chest and sinuses, especially in the spring.
To lighten up the heavy qualities of earth and bring balance into their lives, it is best for Kapha individuals to bring in qualities of light, warmth, and movement. Eating warm foods, light meals, and engaging in regular activity will help those with a Kapha constitution maintain a healthy zest for life.
Knowing your Prakriti or true nature is only one piece of your dosha puzzle. Prakriti is like a fingerprint; its your unique combination of the 20 gunas that reflects your true nature. However, Vikruti or your current state is equally important in achieving balance and well-being.
—Jen Rand
Prakriti vs Vikruti
Knowing your Prakriti or true nature is only one piece of your dosha puzzle. Prakriti is like a fingerprint; its your unique combination of the 20 gunas that reflects your true nature. However, Vikruti or your current state is equally important in achieving balance and well-being. If your dosha quiz reveals that you're Pitta dominant and you simply follow a Pitta pacifying routine, you may be not be addressing your body's needs. A Pitta individual may experience dry skin and constipation (Vata symptoms) if it's fall and the person is traveling for work and snacking on rice cakes everyday. See the example below:
Pitta Prakriti
Medium, athletic build
Runs hot, often has inflamed skin
Normally focused, driven, sharp intellect
Historically strong digestion
Vata Vikruti
Irregular schedule
Presently experiencing dryness
Lately feels scattered, forgetful
Recently experiencing slow digestion, skipping meals, constipation
Recommendation for Pitta Prakriti with Vata Vikruti
Enjoy foods and spices/herbs that are naturally sweet as these balance both Vata and Pitta.
Eat mostly cooked foods, including vegetables that are sautéed, stir-fried or steamed.
Do not skip meals. Keep routine meal times in peaceful environment.
Drink room temperature water throughout the day, warm water or tea in the morning.
Try to eat as fresh as much as possible.
Avoid spicy or pungent foods, alcohol, red meat, deep fried food and excess beer and wine or hard alcohol.
Limit caffeine, nicotine or other stimulants.
An Ayurvedic health counselor can help you determine your constitution as well as identify areas of imbalance. If you're experiencing digestive distress, trouble sleeping, skin irritation, low energy, weight changes, or other imbalances, the counselor will investigate the root cause of your discomfort and create a plan for healing. See the Work With Me page to contact me about setting up an appointment.
There are also sources online to help get you started in learning more about your dosha.
* Remember to consider both historic and current conditions when looking at the quiz results. Pacify and harmonize your true nature and, if necessary, treat current imbalances with diet and lifestyle choices.