Your Definitive Guide To The Ayurvedic Doshas

Ayurveda originated in India approximately 5000 years ago. The philosophy was built based on a wide variety of
herbs, and how they interact with our body and environment. During the British Colonial period, Ayurveda was
forbidden and all health clinics were closed. As Western medicine became more common, Ayurveda was
considered as a poor peoples medicine.
However, since the independence of India, Ayurveda slowly emerged. After the long interference caused by the
British Colonial, the consistencies of the knowledge of Ayurveda were scattered, which explains the varied theories
you will find even with renowned ayurvedic doctors today.
In the early 80s, a number of the doctors felt a need existed to re-establish the knowledge of Ayurveda. What came
out of their efforts is now known as modern Ayurveda. This approach to Ayurveda is practiced widely in the United
States, India, Europe, and Asia. Today, there are many Ayurvedic health centers in the United States.

What Are Doshas?

It is difficult to translate the precise meaning of dosha. It is often translated as a biological type or physical
constitution. This definition allows a simple and easy understanding of the concept. However, the original
definition of dosha is more complex and maybe completely lost to us. In recent times though, it has been translated
to that which contaminates. Because doshas were used to diagnose the bodys pathogen, it may have been later
translated to indicate disease or a contamination.o indicate disease or a contamination. However, this may not be
entirely correct. Every being has an inherent dosha during their birth, but this might not be contamination, what
causes disease is an imbalance of vata, pitta and kapha doshas in their body and not the dosha itself.
As an imbalance of these elemental combinations is the direct cause of physical disease, they are the prime disease
causing factors (the contaminants). Secondary factors in the disease process, like body tissues (dhatus), toxins
(ama) and waste materials (malas) are actually the product of, or dependent upon, an imbalance in the doshas.
Ayurveda believes all individuals have the elements of three doshas, often one of them being stronger than the
others. This is called the primary dosha of that individual, which can be similarly recognized as their body type. It
is often possible that one can have one primary dosha, with a second strong if not as dominant as the first. The
second primary dosha is called sub-dosha. One rarely has all equally portioned predominant dosha.

The Doshas And Their Connection To The Universe

Ayurveda defines a human being as the assemblage of the five maha bhutas plus jivatman (individual
consciousness). The five maha bhutasgive rise to the doshas (psycho-physical tendencies). The doshas are derived
by combining different pairs of the five elements. Doshas are comprised with the combinations of these five
elements; earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Ayurveda thinks that each of us has micro universe within ourselves, just
as there is macro universe outside of us. These five elements are important in understanding the functions of the
body.
Earth represents stability such as bones, cells and tissues. Water presents change, and we have liquids in our body
such as blood and lymph. The water elements deliver nutrients, carrying away the waste, regulating temperature,
and carrying hormonal information. Fire represents heat and energy, which is critical for digesting foods or
building muscles. Air is the movement, mobile and dynamic functions of the body. Ether is the space in between
everything. It defines one thing from another.
There are seven possible combinations of vata, pitta and kapha. Every individual has all three doshas within them
but it is the dominance of any one, two or all three that makes up a persons individual prakruti (constitution).
Established at conception, prakruti is the psycho-physical constitution of an individual. It creates the inborn
tendencies that influence how one experiences life. When functioning normally and present in normal quantities,
the doshas maintain balance in all body processes.
When out of balance they create disease. The imbalanced state is referred to as vikruti. If the present state of the
doshas is the same as prakruti, that individual is balanced and healthy. Vikruti is the result of any aspects of diet,
lifestyle, emotions, age, and environment which continually change from moment to moment. No matter what the
constitution, it is possible to achieve optimal health through proper diet, cooking methods, lifestyle habits and an
attitude towards life that specifically suits each individual.
VATA
The word Vata is derived from the Sanskrit verb vah means vehicle; to carry; to move. The elements of ether and
air combine to form the dosha of Vata. Vata is connected to the nervous system and therefore reaches every part of

the body. Traditionally, Ayurveda calls these the winds of the body the impulses traveling along nerves,
muscles, blood vessels and anywhere there is bodily motion.
Vata is the combination of air and ether, and its characteristics are light, active, quick, cold, and dry. Individuals
who have primary Vata dosha are often of thin frame and tall or short. They are often positive, imaginative, active,
and learn new things very quickly and make friends with people easily. When one has too much Vata (imbalance),
they are likely to be distracted, forgetful and have anxiety and insomnia. Being air and ether, they can develop gas
in the stomach, have constipation, cold and dry skin. Vata is associated with the sattva guna and the vital life force
of prana.
PITTA
The word Pitta is derived from the Sanskrit word tap meaning heat; austere. The elements of fire and
watercombine to form the dosha Pitta. Pitta is responsible for metabolism and is equated with the bodys heat as
well as digestion of food and thought.
Pitta is the combination of fire and water, and its characteristics are heating, light, mobile, and oily. Pitta
individuals are often of moderate frame with good proportion. They are passionate, confident, and eloquent and
like challenges and often possess good leadership skills. In Pitta imbalance, they often experience indigestion,
acne, heartburn, and over perspiration. The emotional Pitta imbalances are anger, criticism, destructive and
controlling. Pitta is associated with the rajas guna and the fire element Agni.
KAPHA
The word Kapha is derived from the Sanskrit roots Ka which means water and pha which means to flourish.
The elements of water and earth combine to form the dosha Kapha. Kapha comprises all our cells, tissues and
organs as is responsible for maintaining structure of the body as well as keeping it moist and well lubricated.
Kapha is the combination of water and earth, and its characteristics are cold, oily, heavy, slow, and stable. Kapha
individuals are often large framed, and easily gain weight. They are loyal, compassionate, calm and peaceful. Their
sleep is long and sound and they are slow to learn new things, however, once learned, they never forget. A Kapha
imbalance tends to result in being sluggish, attached, uncaring, and are likely to experience respiratory imbalances,
water retention, and weight gain. Kapha is related to the tamas guna and the elements of earth and water.

How Do You Diagnose Doshas?

Ayurvedic physicians use pulse diagnosing to determine what are an individuals primary dosha and existing
imbalances. Highly experienced ayurvedic doctors can identify numerous health histories with no prior knowledge
of the patient by checking their pulse.

Can One Change Ones Doshas?

You cannot change your elemental nature or dosha. For instance, if you wish to acquire kapha qualities, you cannot
do so by eating a lot of food high in kapha elements of water/jala and earth/prithvi. By doing so, you will only
disturb your primary dosha. Changing your nature through acquiring positive qualities, and minimizing negative
temperamental characteristics, is the role of the mind.
When you are healthy, you are generally instinctively attracted to foods and activities similar in elemental
composition to your own body. When you are sick and the elements are unbalanced, you are attracted to those
foods opposite in nature. For example, if you are suffering from a cold, or chest congestion (due to an imbalance in
kapha), you usually choose to avoid those foods that are kapha in nature such as dairy products, or heavy and oily
foods.