Ayurveda & The Doshas
Ayurveda is a medical science developed through meditation and through the observation of the micro and macro expression of the five elements — Ether (space), Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Sanskrit for “the science of longevity,” Ayurveda is a full-spectrum system of healing with more than 5,000 years of case studies proving its efficacy. According to this system, wellness originates in balance and in aligning oneself with the rhythms and elements of nature. Treatment focuses on diet, daily and seasonable routines, medicinal herbs, oils, bodywork, yoga and meditation.
In Ayurvedic physiology, the five elements mentioned above form specific pairs to create the doshas called vata, pitta and kapha. These three mind-body or metabolic types make up the world and exist within each of us.
Have you ever heard of the doshas? Or been curious about your Ayurvedic mind body type?
In Ayurvedic physiology, the five elements form specific pairs to create the three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha.
These three mind-body types make up the world around us and exist within each of us.
We all have all three of the doshas within us, but typically one or two of them show up more in your personality, strengths, tendencies, and challenges.
The three doshas govern your bodily response and changes, along with personality and physical attributes. This is how we begin to identify which aspects of an Ayurvedic lifestyle will be most suited to a particular person.
VaTa = the energy of MOVEMENT
PITTA = the energy of TRANSFORMATION
KAPHA = the energy of LUBRICATION & STRUCTURE
While the word dosha literally means ‘mistake’ in Sanskrit, it is really about navigating potential for imbalance and working to organize imbalanced energies in order to maintain harmony in your body and mind. By appreciating the qualities of the elements related to each dosha, we can better understand that dosha will behave.
Vata (air + ether)
Vata is made up of the ether and air elements. It embodies the energy of movemen. Vata can be described as light, airy and rising. It is responsible for the breath, heartbeat, elimination, creativity, communication, clarity, adaptability and inspiration.
When vata is too elevated, a person may experience anxiety, fear, restlessness, gas, bloating, constipation, joint pain, irregular periods, or cramping.
Pitta (fire + water)
Pitta is the fire element (with a little bit of water). It embodies the energy of transformation. Pitta can be described as hot, sharp and quick. It is responsible for metabolism, body temperature, joy, radiance, confidence, willpower, and mental agility.
When pitta is too elevated, a person may experience anger, irritability, judgment, rashes, diarrhea, inflammation, headaches, heartburn, burnout, adrenal fatigue, or vision issues.
Kapha (water + earth)
Kapha is a combination of the water and earth elements. It embodies the energy of building and holding structure. Kapha can be described as is dense, cool, and sticky. It is responsible for immunity, lymph, lubrication, cohesion love, patience, endurance, stability, and resilience.
When kapha is too elevated, a person may experience lethargy, depression, greed, attachment, sinus congestion, cystic acne, low appetite, brain fog, puffiness or yeast infections.
We all embody all three doshas, but they can show up differently in each of us.
As a matter of fact, a unique combination of vata, pitta, and kapha is shaping your physical, mental and emotional experience in this very moment. If you would like to learn more about how the doshas manifest in YOU, meet with an Ayurvedic Practitioner for 1:1 support or start by taking the Mind Body Type Quiz.
BALANCING THE DOSHAS
Everything that we experience — be it a physical substance or a mental thought or emotion — has certain qualities. For example, sandpaper is rough, silk is soft, the desert is dry, anger is hot, etc. The ancient texts of Ayurveda classify these qualities — called gunas in Sanskrit— into 10 pairs of opposites, making 20 qualities total.
Theoretically, everything in the universe can be described in terms of these gunas, or qualities, including the doshas as you can see below. The foundation of Ayurvedic treatment relies upon recognizing gunas that have become unbalanced, which causes doshic imbalance and leads to disease. We then apply the opposite qualities to achieve balance, which leads to wellness.
Vata Balancing
We work to soothe vata by removing substances and activities that have the same qualities, and adding activities and substances that have the opposite qualities.
The qualities of vata are: cold, dry, light, rough, subtle, mobile and clear. Tastes that elevate vata are bitter, astringent and pungent. Anything that contains these specific qualities or tastes will increase vata. Vata is also particularly imbalanced by trauma, grief, travel and stress.
The opposite qualities of vata are: hot, slow, soft, static and moist, and its balancing tastes are sweet, salty and sour. When used intelligently, these qualities and tastes bring vata back into balance.
Pitta Balancing
We work to soothe pitta by removing substances and activities that have the same qualities, and adding activities and substances that have the opposite qualities.
The qualities of pitta are: hot, sharp, light, liquid, motile, and oily. Its tastes are: sour, pungent and salty. Anything that contains these specific qualities or tastes will increase pitta. Imbalanced pitta may result in irritability, rashes, vision issues, or loose stools.
The opposite qualities of pitta are: cold, slow, heavy, static and dry, and its balancing tastes are sweet, astringent and bitter. When used intelligently, these qualities and tastes bring pitta back into balance.
Kapha Balancing
We work to soothe kapha by removing substances and activities that have the same qualities, and adding activities and substances that have the opposite qualities.
The qualities of kapha are: heavy, slow, cool, oily, slimy, dense, soft, static and cloudy. Its tastes are: sweet, salty and sour. Anything that contains these specific qualities or tastes will increase kapha, perpetuating imbalance. Imbalanced kapha may result in phlegm, nasal discharge, allergies, depression or lethargy.
The opposite qualities, which balance kapha, are: light, mobile, hot, dry, subtle and clear and its balancing tastes are bitter, astringent and pungent (spicy). When used intelligently, these qualities and tastes bring kapha back into balance.
Self care is a radical act — when you are vibrant and awake, you have the clarity and energy to show up for what you believe in. Cultivate Balance provides Ayurvedic consultations, Goodness Guides, and online wellness courses that support you to nurture yourself so you can nurture the world. Dive in with our FREE mini-course, The Basic Balance Challenge!
