What is a Dosha? Understanding your body’s constitution to achieve better health

Vata, Pitta & Kapha

It is believed in Ayurveda, the ancient natural health system of India, that when our bodies are out of balance, there is a range of possible imbalances. The concept in Ayurveda related to these possible imbalances is called dosha (dough-sha), sometimes spelled doshas.

Dosha is a core concept in Ayurveda and we can think of dosha as meaning that which causes problems.

It’s another way to use the word balance, but also means that which causes imbalance.   

Doshas are three categories or types of substances believed to be present in a person’s body and mind. They are air, fire, and water. There is also a fourth dosha related to the seasons called the “seasonal dosha” or “seasonal wind”.   

In an ancient system of astrology that forms part of Ayurveda, human beings are believed to have been born with each season’s characteristic wind inside their body.    These seasonally-related ‘winds’ (vata) can get displaced from their proper location due to imbalances in diet and lifestyle, creating problems of the mind and of the physical body.

The three primary or general doshas are:

Vata: This dosha is formed by air and space.

Pitta: This dosha is formed by fire and water.

Kapha: This dosha is formed by water and earth.

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Vata

Vata is light, dry, and cold. It is mobile and erratic. Vata governs all movement in the body, including blood circulation, respiration, and elimination. Vata is responsible for creativity and enthusiasm. People with a predominate vata dosha are often able to think quickly and come up with new ideas. However, they may also be easily distracted and have difficulty sticking to one task. Vata skin is usually thin and dry. Vata hair is often coarse, frizzy, and prone to split ends. People with a vata constitution tend to be slim and have difficulty gaining weight. They may also have cold hands and feet.

Vata Imbalanced

Vata imbalances can manifest as anxiety, insomnia, constipation, or gas. A vata-pacifying diet is typically grounding and nourishing. It includes cooked veggies, warm soups, whole grains, and plenty of water. Spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric are also helpful in balancing vata. Avoiding raw foods, caffeine, and alcohol is often recommended for people with a vata constitution. Excess vata can also be balanced with regular massage, oil baths, and spending time in nature.

Vata qualities are often described as being like the wind. They can be unpredictable and hard to control. Just as the wind can blow in many different directions, people with a lot of vata energy may feel like they are all over the place. However, vata energy is also creative and full of potential. It just needs to be channeled in the right way.

Bringing Balance to Vata

If you think you may have a vata imbalance, there are some simple things you can do to bring more balance into your life. First, take a look at your diet. Are you eating grounding, nourishing foods? If not, make some changes. Incorporate cooked veggies, warm soups, whole grains, and plenty of water into your meals. You might also want to try adding some vata-pacifying spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric to your food. Avoiding raw foods, caffeine, and alcohol can also be helpful.

In addition to dietary changes, you can also balance vata energy with regular massage, oil baths, and time spent in nature. Massage is especially grounding for people with a lot of vata energy. It helps to calm and center the mind and body. Oil baths are another great way to balance vata. Simply add some soothing essential oils to your bathtub and relax. Spend time in nature as often as you can. Walking in the park, hiking in the woods, or simply sitting in your backyard can help to ground and balance vata energy.

Vata is balanced by grounding, warming foods and herbs. Sweet, sour, and salty tastes help to pacify vata. Cooked food is easier to digest than raw food. Nourishing soups, stews, and casseroles are especially comforting to vata types.

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Pitta

Pitta is hot, sharp, and oily. It is intense and acidic. Pitta controls metabolism and digestion. Pitta is responsible for transformation and assimilation. People with a predominate pitta dosha often have a strong appetite and enjoy spicy food. They may also have good metabolism and be able to digest food quickly. Pitta skin is usually fair, sensitive, and prone to sunburns. Pitta hair is often thin, fine, and straight. People with a pitta constitution tend to be of average build and size. They may also have freckles or moles.

Pitta Imbalanced

Pitta imbalances can manifest as indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, or rashes. A pitta-pacifying diet is typically cooling and calming. It includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, light soups, and cooling beverages. Spices like cilantro, mint, and fennel are also helpful in balancing pitta. Avoiding spicy food, alcohol, and excessive heat is often recommended for people with a pitta constitution.

Pitta qualities are often described as being like fire. They can be hot, intense, and aggressive. Just as fire can quickly transform something from one state to another, people with a lot of pitta energy may feel like they are always on the go. However, pitta energy is also focused and driven. It just needs to be channeled in the right way.

Bringing Balancing to Excess Pitta

If you think you may have a pitta imbalance, there are some simple things you can do to bring more balance into your life. First, take a look at your diet. Are you eating cooling, calming foods? If not, make some changes. Incorporate fresh fruits and veggies, light soups, and cooling beverages into your meals. You might also want to try adding some pitta-pacifying spices like cilantro, mint, and fennel to your food. Avoiding spicy food, alcohol, and excessive heat can also be helpful.

In addition to dietary changes, you can also balance pitta energy with regular yoga or meditation, time spent in nature, and cooling baths. Yoga is especially helpful for people with a lot of pitta energy. It helps to calm and center the mind and body. Cooling baths are another great way to balance pitta. Simply add some soothing essential oils to your bathtub and relax. Spend time in nature as often as you can. Walking in the park, hiking in the woods, or simply sitting in your backyard can help to cool and balance pitta energy.

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Kapha

Kapha is heavy, dense, and grounding. It is slow and stable. Kapha controls growth and lubrication. Kapha is responsible for structure and support. People with a predominate kapha dosha often have a large frame and thick, oily skin. They may also have large eyes and full features. Kapha hair is usually thick, wavy, and lustrous. People with a kapha constitution tend to be of average build and size. They may also have freckles or moles.

Kapha Imbalanced

Kapha imbalances can manifest as congestion, mucus, or fluid retention. A kapha-pacifying diet is typically light and dry. It includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, soups, and warm beverages. Spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom are also helpful in balancing kapha. Avoiding heavy, rich food, dairy, and sweets is often recommended for people with a kapha constitution. Excess kapha can also be balanced with regular exercise, time spent in nature, and dry brushing.

Kapha qualities are often described as being like water. They can be heavy, dense, and grounding. Just as water can nourish and sustain life, people with a lot of kapha energy may feel like they are always there for others. However, kapha energy can also be sluggish and uninspired. It just needs to be channeled in the right way.

Bringing Balance to Excess Kapha

If you think you may have a kapha imbalance, there are some simple things you can do to bring more balance into your life. First, take a look at your diet. Are you eating light, dry foods? If not, make some changes. Incorporate fresh fruits and veggies, soups, and warm beverages into your meals. You might also want to try adding some kapha-pacifying spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom to your food. Avoiding heavy, rich food, dairy, and sweets can also be helpful.

In addition to dietary changes, you can also balance kapha energy with regular exercise, time spent in nature, and dry brushing. Exercise is especially helpful for people with a lot of kapha energy. It helps to stimulate and energize the mind and body. Dry brushing is another great way to balance kapha. Simply use a dry brush on your skin before showering to help increase circulation and lymphatic flow. Spend time in nature as often as you can. Walking in the park, hiking in the woods, or simply sitting in your backyard can help to stimulate and balance kapha energy.

Next Steps…

Now that you know a little bit more about the three doshas, you can start to make some changes in your life to bring more balance into your system. Just remember, we all have all three doshas within us. It is only when one or more of them becomes imbalanced that we start to experience problems. By making some simple changes in our diet and lifestyle, we can bring our doshas back into balance and live a healthier, happier life.

Do you think you might have an imbalance in one of your doshas? Have you made any changes in your life to bring more balance into your system? Share your experiences in the comments section below.