Brief Overview Of The Three Doshas
Fundamentals of Ayurveda states that everything and everyone in the Cosmos/Universe is made up of five elements earth, water, fire, air, and space.
These 5 elements combine in the body to form three constitutions or three energy types or doshas. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata (air + space): linked to movement, flexibility, and the nervous system.
Pitta (fire + water): linked to digestion, metabolism, and transformation.
Kapha (earth + water): linked to stability, lubrication, and structure.
Here is a very basic and short view of each of the doshas. Check if any resonate with you. Our energy and our currents are fluid and ever changing and evolving, so you may see yourself identifying with each of them with some aspect or the other.
We all have a primary Dosha and a secondary Dosha. Some are unique and have one dominant Dosha OR all three Doshas. They are called Tridosha.
When dosha is in balance it is called as Prikriti (in Sanskrit).
When dosha is off balance it is called as Vikruti (in Sanskrit).
Vata
Vata dosha is made up of the elements air and space (Vayu + Akasha in Sanskrit).
Vata’s characteristics are subtleness, coolness, mobility/movement, dryness, lightness, roughness, quick, agile, speak fast, adaptable, quick to learn, but also quick to forget and tendency to get bored easily.
Vata governs all movement in the body and mind such as circulation, nerve impulses, breathing, elimination, moving of food in the digestive tract, muscle contractions, heartbeats and even thoughts and have thin, slim built.
When Vata is in balance, it can show as creative, active, flexible, think clearly,
When Vata is off balance, it can create a whirlwind. It can show as racing mind, indecisive, restless, fidgety, can not sit still, nervousness, anxiousness, fear, muscle cramping, pain.
Pitta
Pitta dosha is made up of the elements fire and water (Agni + Jala in Sanskrit).
Pitta governs enzymes, hormone reactions, digestion, metabolic processes, circulation and transformation.
Pitta’s characteristics are sharp, hot, fierce, friendly, intelligent, intense, good appetite, medium bult and tend to not put on weight easily and can loose it easily too, ability to focus, possess leadership skills. Regulates hunger, thirst and body temperature, also prone to sun burns, freckles and moles.
When Pitta is in balance, it brings radiance, strong digestion, confidence, and focused energy.
When Pitta is off balance it can create acidity, rashes, acne, high blood pressure, Inflammatory tendency whether it is inflammatory emotions, or inflammation in the body, the two being linked, are prone to digestive disorders such as ulcers and heart burn. They also have a tendency to develop heart disorders. These individuals often have a strong personality, but when off balance can turn a bit fanatical or overly critical of self and others.
Kapha
Kapha dosha is made up of the earth and water elements (Prithvi + Jala in Sanskrit).
It is responsible for structure, stability, lubrication, and emotional grounding in the body and mind.
Kapha characteristics are hard, soft, static, slow, heavy, slimy, cold, sticky, oily, also calm and composed with a good memory, also compassionate, affectionate and patient. Strong built with broad shoulders, chest.
Tendencies for retention. Retentive, whether fat, fluid, relationships, it just holds on.
When Kapha is off balance, it creates tendencies for swelling, diabetes, chest congestions and sinus issues, lethargy and obesity, can gain weight easily, digestion is slow, metabolism is slow, may feel brain fog and feelings of apathy. Tendency to sleep in and feel sluggish in the mornings.
We all have a primary Dosha and a secondary Dosha. Some are unique and have one dominant Dosha OR all three Doshas. They are called Tridosha.
Our energy and currents are ever changing and evolving, so you may see yourself identifying with each of them with some aspect or the other.