The Three Ayurvedic Doshas
Ayurvedic Doshas are part of what the human body is composed of and therefore also referred to as the basic fundamentals of Ayurvedic treatment. Every individual comprises of an unique combination of the three doshas. Although every human has some of each of the three, most tend to have an abundance of just one or two of the doshas.
“The three vital principles of doshas or basic biologies of the body are vata, pitta and kapha, which together are known to regulate and control the catabolic and anabolic metabolism,” shared Dr. Gayathri Nissanka, Ayurvedic Physician at Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions.
“Prakurthi or the body constitution or nature of an individual is another unique concept in Ayurveda. Restorative or preventative Ayurvedic care is typically based on the prakurthi, and therefore individual to one another. This is a combination of the three doshas that is determined at moment of conception and never changes until death. As a human moving through life, the proportions of each dosha will tend to fluctuate depending on the environment, diet, atmosphere, age and plenty of other natural factors. These doshas have the ability to affect health, energy levels and even the most general mood of a human being,” she added.
Vata
Vata is referred to as the energy of movement, both in mind and body. From walking, speaking, blinking, even gas exchange in lung epithelial cells, iron transportation through cell membrane and so on.
Individuals with a high level of vata dosha tend to be on the thin and lanky side of build and are mentally and physically very active. They are creative and love meeting new people and traveling to new places. In a balanced state, they are quite flexible and have a lively imagination. They think out of the box and enjoy creative endeavours. In an imbalance state, they can tend to get quite anxious, feel ungrounded and procrastinate on getting things done or even sticking to a simple routine. It is common for such types of people to enjoy warm and humid weather over cool and dry and to also experience cold hands and feet often, constipation, dry skin and even cracking joints. They are mostly influenced by the air element in their mind and body constitution and this causes their energy, mood and appetites to fluctuate dramatically. This is the main reason why such types fail to have regular eating or sleep patterns, and ingest stimulants like coffee or sugar every now and then to sustain activity. A sensitive vata individual will suffer from insomnia as well as low immunity.
Pitta
Pitta is directed towards the energy of digestion, metabolism, perceptions like vision, and correlates with hormones too, and enzyme functions.
Individuals with a high level of pitta dosha are dominated by the fire element. This means that they have evidently quite strong, intense and also irritable personalities. Their body type is typically medium build and have a decent level of endurance. Pitta types are strong willed humans, and good at doing what they think is right, born leaders and also quick learners, which allows them to approach work and play with a sense of intensity and competitiveness. As they are intense, and can master skills very easily, they can tend to be judgmental and impatient towards those they feel are much slower paced and less focused than they themselves are. Digestion is very strong and they too have intense appetites — which means that if they miss a meal, they could get irritable, grumpy and moody. Such types however suffer from health conditions such as inflammation, raches, perhaps even acne. In order to find balance, they need to manage their ‘fiery’ spirit and tendencies, driving this intensity towards productivity instead of allowing it to take control in destructive ways.
Kapha
Kapha focuses on the energy of lubrication and structure between two bones and also nourishing the body tissues.
Individuals which a high level of kapha dosha lean towards having strong frames and naturally athletic bodies. They are typically persons who enjoy and exercise regularly and manage their weight. Their personalities are influenced by both water and earth elements, which make them stable, compassionate and most loyal individuals. They enjoy and appreciate doing things in methodical ways and therefore prefer a routine in both their professional and personal lives. They are patient and grounded. Although their digestion can tend to be a bit slow, they’ve got a healthy appetite for food (much less intense that vata or pitta types). In a balanced state kapha types are love being in new environments, around people and are very supportive of loved ones and family. When in an imbalance state they can tend to be unmotivated, even stubborn and complacent when change could be quite necessary.
There could however and most often are individuals with a combination of two doshas or even a balanced state of all three doshas. The key to preserving a balance between the doshas is to hone the ability in noticing imbalances that may arise, and to adopt practices that will counterbalance these. Imbalances could be caused either by the environment, diet or emotional state, so therefore it is important to all aware so that one remains in a healthy balanced state.
“The main function of the three doshas is to carry the byproduct of digested foods throughout the body, which helps in building and strengthening the internal body tissues. Any malfunction in these doshas causes disease to the mind and body according to Ayurveda,” said Dr. Gayathri.
(To be continued…)
