The 3 doshas that make up everyone and everything are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. We each have all three of the doshas in our physiology, just in different proportions, so each individual's dosha is unique. Usually one is more dominant in your system than the other two - and this one is your primary dosha. Sometimes a person has a pretty even split of two doshas, and kinda rarely someone is evenly balanced out among all three. These people would have, for example, a primary dosha of Vata-Pitta, or be Tri-Doshic. As I mentioned yesterday, I am a strong Vata dosha individual.
Your primary dosha effects every single aspect of your being. Your body type, your energy, your moods, how you should eat - everything.
What are the differences between Vata, Pitta, and Kapha?
Vata: Ruled by Air & EtherVata enables the other two doshas to be expressive. The actions of Vata are drying, cooling, light, agitating, and moving. The Vata dosha controls all movement in the body, including breathing, digestion, and nerve impulses from the brain. When Vata is out of balance, anxiety and other nervous disorders may be present. Digestive problems, constipation, cramps, and even premenstrual pain usually are attributed to a Vata imbalance.
Vata-type people are generally thin, energetic, creative, and find it hard to gain weight. Vatas need to get sufficient rest and not overdo things, stay warm, and keep a regular lifestyle routine. The Vata attention span is flighty. Fall and Winter is the season of Vata.
Balancing Vata is important for everyone - when Vata is in balance, Pitta and Kapha are generally in balance as well.
Pitta types are known for their strong digestion. Their heat makes them particularly thirsty, and they should take caution not to consume too much liquid during meals. We rely on Pitta to regulate our intake of food, water, and air. Any toxins, such as alcohol or tobacco, show up as a Pitta imbalance. Toxic emotions such as jealousy, intolerance, and hatred also should be avoided to keep Pitta in balance for optimum health.
Pitta-type people are generally of medium size and well proportioned with a medium amount of physical energy and stamina. Pitta people tend to be intelligent, sharp witted, have good focus and ambition - but can be demanding and abrasive. Pitta types can go out of balance with overexposure to the sun. Perhaps that is why their eyes are sensitive to light. Summer is the season of Pitta.
Kapha dosha controls the moist tissues of the body, so a Kapha imbalance may show up as a cold, allergies, or asthma. Cold and wet weather aggravates Kapha. They should not dwell in the past or resist change. They need lots of exercise and need to be careful not to overeat. Kaphas need stimulation to bring out their vitality. Kapha dosha teaches us steadiness and a sense of well-being. Spring is the season of Kapha.
Kapha-type people tend to have sturdy, heavy frames, providing a good reserve of physical strength and stamina. This strength gives Kaphas a natural resistance to disease and a generally positive outlook about life. Kapha types tend to be slow eaters with slow digestion. They also speak slowly. They are calm and affectionate but, when out of balance, can become stubborn and lazy. They learn slowly, with a methodical approach, but also retain information well with a good understanding of it.
You may have recognized yourself in one of these descriptions, but you can
Go Take This Quiz to find out your personal Dosha. Tell me your dosha in the comments.
More Ayurvedic Basics tomorrow - including the concept of Like increasing Like and How to Seek Balance for your Dosha.
Sources for 90% of the info/words on this post:
www.whatsyourdosha.com
http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv_home.htm
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