What is Āyurveda?
Āyurveda is the natural healing system of India. It is:
A science whose knowledge has been coherently derived over millennia of direct experience, yielding knowledge and methods that remain relevant today.
A system that understands life as multidimensional and dynamic, spanning constant evolution and change.
A living wisdom with health as the emphasis—a thriving, wholly conscious and connected way of being.
A life-positive approach towards physical and mental balance, self-understanding, elevation of spirit, and contented living and longevity.
Āyurveda's three main health strategies encompass medical therapies (including herbal, oil and heat treatments), food and dietary therapies, and lifestyle and daily routine, within seasonal, and life-stage cycles.
This suite of approaches and practices centres around the three dosha—three intelligent forces within the physical body that determine our unique metabolic constitution. Maintaining the natural balance and rhythm of the doshas is Āyurveda’s primary goal.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, five great elements—ether, air, fire, water and earth—comprise all planetary matter, including the human body. Everyone is born with a unique mix of these five primary elements. The proportion which each of us holds blends to create our unique dosha or metabolic constitution.
Each of the three doshas manages two of the five great elements.
- Vāta dosha manages air and ether. If the forces of air or ether are strong, vāta dominates.
- Pitta dosha manages fire and water. If fire rules, pitta prevails.
- Kapha dosha manages water and earth. If the earth and water elements are dominant, kapha dosha is primary.
We each contain all five of the great elements and all three dosha, but in varying proportions.
When our personal mix functions harmoniously, the physical body operates seamlessly and upholds every aspect of life. But if one or more elements become excessive or diminished, the doshas lose equilibrium, and their imbalance drives the process of physical disease.
To keep reading, see my blog post ~ What are the Ayurvedic Doshas? [7 mins] ~
To know the Doshas, keep reading... And observe yourself
Vāta Dosha
Vāta dosha is the intelligent force that manages the elements of air and ether. Similar to its elements, vāta dosha is invisible to the eye, with no particular size or physical shape. Instead we know vāta through its qualities and actions.
Qualities of Vāta Dosha
The marriage of air and ether gives vāta dosha its qualities of dryness, lightness, coldness, roughness, subtlety and mobility.
Vāta Co-ordinates & Moves
Among the three doshas, vāta is co-ordinator and mover. In Sanskrit, the term vāta derives from the verb ‘va’, meaning to move or carry. When transport's required, vāta springs into action. Because of vāta, all prana, breath, food, water, blood, hormones, lymph, wastes, thoughts, speech, emotions, sensory impressions and expressions, and all nerve impulses move. In its natural state, vāta's 'wind' (air moving within ether) coordinates all metabolic processes, communications, impulses, rhythms, and cycles through time.
Where Vāta Dominates
The physical home of vāta is the colon. Other important locations include the ears (and sense of hearing), skin (sense of touch), bones, and nervous tissues including the brain. These locations are often first to show signs of vāta imbalance such as dry constipation; crackling or ringing ears, balance issues, noise sensitivity; dry, cracked, rough skin; osteoporosis; anxiety and nervous stress.
Physical Attributes of Vāta Dominance
- Thin-framed and light in musculature
- Fine-boned with prominent joints, tendons or veins.
- Darker in complexion and hair
- Dry, recessed or twitchy eyes
- Crooked or irregular teeth; a long, thin, mobile tongue
- Feels the cold
- Irregular appetite
Mental Attributes of Balanced Vāta Dominance
- Enthusiastic and motivated
- Social and adaptable
- A preference for action and change; has difficulty sitting idle
- Creative, curious, anti-conformist, artistic
- Quick to understand and quick to forget
To keep reading about vāta dosha, check out the blog: ~ On the Move with Vāta Dosha [5 mins] ~
Pitta Dosha
The Sanskrit word pitta is derived from the root, tapa, which literally means “what cooks”. Guiding the elements of fire and water, pitta is hot and transformative by nature—the only dosha with fire in its mix. In the physical body, the fire element is always suspended in a liquid medium to protect delicate tissues.
Qualities of Pitta Dosha
The marriage of fire and water provides pitta its qualities of slight oiliness, sharpness/penetration, heat, light, a sour/pungent odor, liquidity, and the tendency to spread.
Pitta Digests & Transforms
In every human system pitta dosha dominates the process of digestion. The entire process of food breakdown, conversion and assimilation into tissues is driven by pitta. Plus every metabolic transformation in each living cell.
Where Pitta Dominates
The chief pitta zone centres around the navel, especially the small intestine, liver, gall bladder, lower stomach, pancreas, and spleen. Pitta dosha also dominates in the sweat glands, eyes, blood, and uterus and vagina.
Physical Attributes of Pitta Dominance
- A moderately robust physique with medium musculature and frame
- Seldom gains or loses much weight (when in balance)
- A soft, supple, rosy complexion; can be dotted with freckles and moles
- Angular features such as pointed chin or teeth
- A shiny red tongue of medium thickness and length; gums may bleed
- Bright eyes that can be sensitive to light; whites are prone to yellow
- A strong digestion, appetite and thirst
- Intolerant of excess sunlight or heat
- Produces copious quantities of urine, faeces and sweat
Mental Attributes of Balanced Pitta Dominance
- A purposeful, disciplined, goal-oriented nature
- Probing, committed, determined
- Good mental clarity
- Warm, cheerful, courageous
To keep reading about pitta dosha, check out the blog: ~ Firing Up with Pitta Dosha [5 mins] ~
Kapha Dosha
From its original Sanskrit, the term kapha translates as “what sticks,” referring to the nature of earth and water to adhere. In the food body, kapha is the intelligent principle that manages the coming together of earth and water into form and structure.
Qualities of Kapha Dosha
The marriage of water and earth provides kapha its qualities of oiliness, coolness, heaviness, density, smoothness, slowness, softness, cloudiness, and stability
Kapha Builds, Lubricates, Stabilises, Protects
Kapha’s dominance of water alongside earth creates lubricating, protective substances such as cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, mucus, and lymph. Ultimately, all physical tissues are built of kapha's elements, including all cellular secretions, mucus membranes, and fatty cushioning.
Where Kapha Dominates
Above the diaphragm is considered the kapha zone, foremost the upper stomach, lungs, throat, mouth, tongue, sinuses, nasal passages, and the head in general. All of these structures require on-going lubrication. Kapha also dominates in lymph, fatty tissues and the reproductive system.
Physical Attributes of Kapha Dominance
- A large frame, heavy bones and solid muscles
- Well-covered tendons and veins, and well-lubricated joints
- A tendency to become overweight, and for weight gain to be difficult to shed
- Cool, pale, smooth, oily skin
- Large attractive eyes; strong white teeth; thick curly hair
- A tongue that is thick, wide, short, or immobile, and pale pink in colour
- A steady hunger, thirst, and digestion
- Fondness for sitting and sleeping
Mental Attributes of Balanced Kapha Dominance
- A desire for permanence and security
- Prefers the comfortable and familiar
- Loyal, faithful, caring, and forgiving; likes peace
- Slow learner that can need repetition, but once learned never forgets
- Patient and persevering; can be better at finishing than starting
- Excellent team player
To keep reading about kapha dosha, check out the blog: ~ Hanging Out with Kapha Dosha [5 mins] ~
Mixed or Dual Dosha Dominance
Often the mix of elements means that two doshas exist to a similar degree, creating a ‘mixed’ or ‘dual’ constitution.
When two doshas rule, a mixed constitution may follow one or the other dosha more strongly, or show a blend of qualities of both dosha , which vary in domination. Sometimes two doshas nurture opposite qualities (such as vāta and kapha), which tend to "cancel each other out" and can make diagnosis and management more challenging.
When two doshas rule, we need to understand and cater for both.
In total, Āyurveda recognises seven distinct constitutions or metabolic types. Three single- or pure-types—vāta, pitta, and kapha. Three dual-types—vāta-pitta (pitta-vāta), vāta-kapha (kapha-vāta), and pitta-kapha (pitta-kapha). And one balanced or tridoshic type.