The doshas
The three Doshas and individual constitutions
VATA – PITTA – KAPHA are the key principles whose combination gives rise to the formation of the universe and the constitution of each individual.
Dosha derives from the root Dushanat, which literally means impurity; this term should not be understood in a negative sense, as the Doshas, or metabolic principles, give life to the psychosomatic structure of man. The five elements or MAHABUTA (space – air – fire – water – earth) manifest within the three Doshas. The balance of the Doshas produces harmony and good health, while imbalance leads to disorders and the onset of disease, serving as the first sign of a lack of harmony between body and mind.
Gunas
Everything in nature (substances, thoughts, actions) has qualities or attributes called Gunas.
These act according to the law of similarity or dissimilarity (everything akin to the similar increases the similar, and everything dissimilar decreases it).
The main Gunas
LIGHT
STICKY
COLD
OILY
SLOW
STABLE
SOFT
ROUGH
COARSE
SOLID
HEAVY
CLEAN
HOT
DRY
FAST
MOBILE
HARD
SMOOTH
SUBTLE
LIQUID
Every individual is born with their own constitution based on a unique combination of Vata – Pitta – Kapha, and the proportion of Doshas varies within their physiology; there can be monodoshic constitutions where one Dosha prevails, bidoshic where two Doshas prevail, and tridoshic where all Doshas are represented. It is very important to know your constitution because every person has a certain propensity toward specific illnesses based on it, and consequently, will benefit from specific treatments.
The individual’s constitution (Prakriti) is decided at the meeting of the egg and sperm and is determined by 4 factors:
1. paternal factor
2. maternal factor
3. conditions of the uterus and the season
4. maternal nutrition
A person may be born with a certain condition, but lifestyle errors can aggravate their Doshas to the point of causing them to take on characteristics of another constitution; however, with sound lifestyle advice and Ayurvedic preparations, they can restore and rediscover their basic constitution and thereby prevent disease.
Vata
Vata is formed by air-space; literally “That which moves.”
The primary seat of Vata in the body is the large intestine (colon) and generally the region of the body below the navel. It is cold, dry, mobile, fast, subtle, rough, and light. It is responsible for all activities and for what we feel because it controls impulses along the nerves, breathing, bowel movements, circulation, walking, and excretion.
Vata governs the movement of the universe. When in balance, it supports the entire body, provides joy and enthusiasm, stimulates the digestive fire, eliminates waste products, shapes the embryo, and is responsible for the continuation of life. When unbalanced, it causes high tides and the overflowing of lakes and rivers, earthquakes, thunder, seasonal confusion, and crop irregularities.
The Vata type has a thin and light physique; they are slender with skin that tends to be dry and rough, thin and brittle hair, prominent veins and tendons, cold extremities, and small brown or black eyes. They are fast in eating, working, and walking, yet have low resistance to fatigue, a tendency toward constipation, and are restless, indecisive, and anxious with a tendency to worry. They are big spenders with poor concentration skills, fickle, and have light sleep or insomnia. They become enthusiastic easily but change their minds frequently; they are intuitive, original, never still, and talkative.
Vata individuals are advised to engage in creative activities that do not involve heavy responsibilities, as emotional states and tension can cause poor digestion, irritability, and fatigue. In fact, for Vata, fatigue plays a fundamental role as it is a very fragile constitution with a tendency toward easy imbalance, although it recovers very quickly with good rest and an adequate routine.
Given the dryness of their skin, they benefit from massages with sesame oil, which have a relaxing effect. They should follow a diet containing sour, salty, and sweet flavors, consume meals in a quiet, serene environment at regular times, and go to bed early. They should listen to relaxing music and protect themselves well from low temperatures, as cold is the true enemy of Vata, who thrives in warm and temperate climates.
Pitta
Pitta is formed by the elements water – fire; literally, it means that which produces heat.
The primary seat in the body is the stomach and duodenum, and generally the middle part of the body between the chest and navel. It is the principle of thermogenesis and metabolism; it is the cosmic energy that makes the sun and stars burn, and the gastric fire that digests food. In the human body, it presides over digestive and endocrine functions, metabolism, and the regulation of body temperature.
The Pitta type has a medium build with well-developed muscle tissue, a yellowish-reddish complexion, bright green or copper-colored eyes, and blonde or copper-colored hair, with a tendency toward premature baldness and graying. Their skin is soft and delicate with moles and freckles. Pitta governs all functions of digestion and assimilation. They suffer in hot climates and sweat a lot because their body temperature is high. They have good digestion and an excellent appetite, preferring fresh or cold foods and drinks.
They are pacified by sweet, bitter, and astringent flavors. They are regular, with a strong, decisive, and egocentric character, easily irritable and quick-tempered, with a brilliant and intuitive intellect. They have good intuition and are capable public speakers, though often sharp in their judgments; they are precise and fastidious. They love to surround themselves with beautiful things because they have a great aesthetic sense.
Balanced Pitta confers confidence, resourcefulness, cheerfulness, a sharp mind, good digestion, a luminous complexion, and friendliness.
Unbalanced Pitta confers irritability, hostility, poor digestion, peptic ulcers, anger, skin rashes and inflammations, and yellowish skin.
The Pitta dosha must avoid stress accompanied by anger, resentment, and pressing problems, as well as climates that are too hot and humid and excessive exposure to the summer sun.
For this reason, Pitta individuals are advised not to expose themselves to excessive tension and to avoid conflict situations.
Consuming ghee regularly has a rebalancing power on Pitta. Avoid the abuse of substances containing caffeine and alcohol; consume fruit juices and fresh drinks that counterbalance the great heat produced inside the body, thereby limiting exposure to the sun and overheated environments.
Practice yoga or relaxing techniques that reduce the tendency toward irritability. Since the Pitta Dosha is connected to the organ of sight, it is recommended to avoid watching violent shows or situations characterized by aggression and anger.
Kapha
Kapha is formed by the elements water – earth; literally, it means that which joins.
The primary seat of Kapha in the body is the chest and generally the upper part of the body, including the head. Kapha governs all cellular functions, the solidity of the body, the lubrication of ligaments and joints, the maintenance of sexual vigor, immunity, cohesion, and the external appearance or luster of the person.
It represents cohesion, keeps planets and stars together, gives shape and compactness to the body as well as strength and stability, and controls the balance of tissue and cellular fluids. It is the principle of cooling and preservation; it promotes growth and confers energy, strength, constancy, and consistency. It is pacified by bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes.
People with Kapha characteristics have a robust build, well-developed tissues, a fair, milky-white complexion, soft and oily skin, strong white teeth, a bright smile, large clear eyes, and strong, thick black hair. They have a moderate appetite, slow digestion, and prefer hot, dry foods. They have regular bowel movements with soft stools, long and deep sleep, and are resistant to fatigue.
They are slow to learn but have an excellent memory; they are lazy, generous, and inclined to forgiveness, with a strong sexual and procreative drive. They have a stable character and are difficult to upset.
Unbalanced Kapha confers laziness, depression, drowsiness, mental inertia, heaviness, greed, possessiveness, obesity, indigestion, aversion to cold-dampness, fluid retention, and diabetes.
Kapha is unbalanced by stress, a sense of insecurity, the feeling of being rejected, excessive dependence, too much sleep, cold, damp, and snowy weather, and an excess of sweet, heavy, and fatty foods.
It is recommended that Kapha individuals lead a dynamic life and engage in regular physical activity, as a sedentary lifestyle aggravates Kapha.
