What is My Dosha?
and what is a dosha?
A Dosha is an energetic principal in nature that govern our tendencies, affinities, structure, functions and even susceptibility to certain types of ailments. Basically it is the make up, or ingredients of the 5 elements that make us our lovely self.
Ayurveda sees us as having two types of dosha. A Prakriti is our dominant state of conception, the elements of our birth into life and therefore our fingerprint for establishing a baseline in health. On the other hand, Vikruti is what happens after we are born, life circumstance and all its changes that create the imbalance or current reading in the daily and now.
Its important, and interesting to use both dosha maps as a guide for returning to a balanced state. As always Ayurveda recognizes the unique qualities of the individual and tunes into the subtle requests we each strive toward a state of Swasthya (which literally means being ‘established in the self’).
There are 3 Doshas that make up the elements:
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
and we all have all three, just a combination of the three. Here are the qualities:
Vata: Space and Air
Vata’s qualities are dry, cold, rough, light, clear, mobile, and subtle. Vata is the energy of movement, and its seat is the colon. Vata ensures smooth functioning of respiration, speech, working of tissues, managing natural urges like hunger, thirst, excretion etc., heart function, circulation and communication from the brain through the nerves to the entire body
Human Qualities of Vata: A typical Vata person is likely to think out of the box and come up with a brilliant idea for a start-up company! When Vata dominates, people can be,
Creative but could be inconsistent and their mood could fluctuate quickly
Enthusiastic and energy comes in bursts
Great at multitasking
Quick learners
Kind and good-natured
Flexible
Variable appetite
Likely to be petite and agile with thin hair
Vata’s tend to be sensitive to their diet and the weather, particularly cold weather; their digestive fire and appetite fluctuate, and they may experience problems with circulation, joints, dry skin and hair, bloating, constipation and insomnia. The Vata mind can be anxious and restless. Vata imbalance can reduce immunity and cause weight loss.
Pitta: Fire and Water
Pitta is composed of the water and fire elements and is the energy of metabolism and transformation. Pitta is hot, light, sharp, oily, liquid, acidic and spreading. Pitta is the energy of metabolism and transformation. It is responsible for the smooth functioning of the digestive system and is located in the small intestines. It helps regulate body temperature and gives luster to the skin. It also aids in the transformation of emotions and experiences that we ‘ingest’.
Human qualities of Pitta dosha: A typical Pitta person could lead the company the Vata person got the idea for! When Pitta dominates, people can be,
Fiery, motivated and determined
Good leaders, goal-oriented
Intellectual
Athletic
Have a healthy digestion, metabolism and circulatory system
They could also be impatient, aggressive, get ‘hangry’ , be ultra-sensitive to hot weather and prone to inflammation, skin blemishes, and early graying, baldness and thinning of hair. Imbalanced Pitta can cause excess hunger and thirst, hyperacidity, burning sensations, discoloration of skin, urine and stool and lead to insomnia.
Kapha: Water and Earth
Kapha is composed of the water and earth elements and is the energy of cohesion and binding. Kapha is moist, cold, sticky, heavy, slow, smooth, soft, stable and cloudy. Kapha is the energy of cohesion and binding and is located in the stomach and chest region. It ensures stability and strength of the body, ensures that joints are lubricated, hydrates tissues and keeps the skin moisturized. Kapha provides the body with vigor, vitality and immunity.
Human qualities of Kapha dosha: A Kapha is grounded and would nurture and maintain the same company the Vata person had an idea to start up and the Pitta person is leading! When Kapha dominates, people can be,
Strong, caring and supportive
Slow and steady (Probably the tortoise who won the race was modelled after them)
Empathetic and happy
Have oily, smooth, lustrous skin and hair
Have rounded, flexible joints
Enjoy good health, robust immunity and excellent stamina
Their metabolism can be slow, they tend to gain weight quickly, oversleep, get depressed and are prone to respiratory issues, water retention and metabolic disorders, possessiveness and resistance to change.
Okay let’s get to the fun part! You may already know your dosha, or this may all be new…check out the 2 quizzes to find out your Prakriti and Vikruti - We’ll review in our Workshop and online community.
