The Three Ayurvedic Doshas
Are You Vata, Kapha, or Pitta?
The Three Ayurvedic Doshas
Are You Vata, Kapha, or Pitta?
The Three Ayurvedic Doshas
Are You Vata,
Kapha, or Pitta?
Ayurveda, a sister science of yoga, dates back 5,000 years to the ancient Sanskrit texts, the Vedas. Translating into “the knowledge of life”, Ayurveda believes that good health can only be achieved through a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. It’s a system of healing that examines physical constitution, emotional nature, and spiritual outlook in the context of the universe.
Have you ever wondered why some people are hyperactive while others stay quiet? Why do some people put on weight easily despite being conscious of their diet? Or why do some people have healthy skin even with a basic skincare routine while others don’t? Ayurveda has answers to all these questions with the three Doshas.
Tridoshas are the three forces or humor of the body, which bring health and harmony when in balance, and produce diseases when out of it. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three Doshas or biological energies that govern the physical and mental processes and provide every living being with an individual blueprint for health and fulfillment. Everything and everyone in this world is composed of energy.
This energy is composed of five elements
is characterized by the mobile nature of Air and Ether (space).
embodies the transformative nature of Fire and Water.
reflects the binding nature of Water and Earth.
Vata is called the “the king of Doshas” because it governs movement. It is the one that helps you move your arm, eliminate waste, blink an eye, swallow food, and much more. Without Vata, there would be no life in the body. When the Vata Dosha is out of balance, it is easy to become overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
1. Physically slender, tall, long-limbed or have a delicate body frame
2. Experience cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates; dry skin and hair
3. Have a variable appetite and delicate digestion
4. Have a creative mind
5. Does not like routine and repetition
6. Respond to stress with anxiety, fear, or worry
Pitta is the transformer. It’s the energy within you that digests food and emotions. It basically
oversees digestion and transformation.
1. Physically medium size, strong, well-built
2. Experience overheating; have reddish skin and sunburns easily
3. Have a strong appetite and good digestion; irritable when hungry
4. Like to be orderly and are overall focused and determined
5. Enjoy challenges and competition but can become critical of self or others
6. Respond to stress with irritability, anger, frustration
1. Physically strong and with a sturdy or broad build
2. Dislike cold, damp climates and often has clammy hands/feet
3. Frequently experience congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems
4. Strive to maintain harmony, peace and is a point of stability for others
5. Tends to hold onto things both material and emotional
6. Responds to stress with worry, lethargy, withdrawal
Kapha provides cohesiveness, structure, and lubrication. It is the energy of building and lubrication that provides the body with physical form, structure and smooth functioning of all its parts.
Of the three Doshas, what Ayurvedic type are you most aligned to: Vata, Pitta, or Kapha? In reality, as per ayurvedic understanding, each person has elements of all three Doshas. So reducing a person to a single Dosha is an oversimplification. You can also have a Vata-Pitta constitution where both the Doshas are balanced or even tridoshic, where all the three Doshas are present. So start your journey today to Dosha awareness.