YOGA, AYURVEDA AND THE 3 DOSHAS

"Our biological existence is a dance of the three doshas of vata, pitta and kapha. Life is a multicolored tapestry of their movement in various plays of balance and imbalance, coming together and going apart. These three powers color and determine our conditions of growth and aging, health and disease." -David Frawley-

Dosha, literally means that which goes out of balance easily. The doshas are the ayurvedic constitutional types. We determine our dosha- vata, pitta, kapha or some combination of the three, by looking at the ways in which we tend to go out of balance on the physical, emotional/mental and spiritual levels.
Let's begin with vata. Literally, vata means wind and is the primary dosha. It is made up of the the elements of air and space. Frawley explains; "It is the motivating power behind the other two doshas, which are lame or incapable of movement without it." The qualities of vata are cold, dry, irregular, mobile/fast, poor stamina, sun loving, thin boned, dry hair, nails and skin, speak/move quickly, enthusiatic, imaginative, sensitive, impractical, quick to catch on, forgets easily, anxiety prone, tends toward insomnia, ADHD, variable digestion, chronic pain/especially in joints, instability. So, how does one keep vata in balance? Balancing vata, or any dosha, for that matter, requires adding the opposite qualities. To balance,add warm, moist foods to the diet. Warmth in general is very nourishing for vata (warm baths, food, drinks, clothing). Moisture in the form of warm drinks, oily foods, oil for the body (sesame oil is particularly warming for vata). Balance vata with daily routines to calm the urge for frequent change. Structure is helpful for vata, which is hard wired to change. In asana, vata benefits from slowing down, grounding into the pelvic bowl, moving rhythmically and mindfully. The key word is nurturance.
Frawley says that "The key to managing all the doshas is to care for vata."

Pitta is made up of the elements of fire and water. Literally, pitta means "the power of digestion or cooking."(Frawley) Four key words to describe pitta are warm, oily, irritable/sharp. Qualities to further describe pitta are athletic, tired by heat, red hair/early gray, fair/freckles,strong appetite, leader/organizer, intelligent/ambitious, confident/courageous,overly critical, efficient, enjoys challenges, prone to overwork, prone to inflammation, heartburn/ulcer, skin rashes/eczema, headaches and high blood pressure.(Himalayan Institute 2011) As with all of the doshas,to balance pitta, we give it the opposite of its inherent qualities. Due to the intense nature of pitta,it is generally a good idea to lighten up, not taking life so seriously. Although pitta personality is drawn to intense yoga practices(Bikram, Ashtanga), s/he will be better served practicing moderation in all activities. Finding a balance between rest and activity will serve the pitta. Daily relaxation and meditation to calm the intensity is also a plus. Leisure time is important and a good dose of laughter won't hurt either! It is good to maintain a cool environment, not lingering in hot baths. Non-competitive activities are balancing for the pitta. The key word is relaxation!

Kapha is made up of the elements of earth and water. Kapha literally means "what makes things stick together". (Frawley) Kapha tends to be cold, wet, heavy and stable/slow. Other characteristics of the kapha individual are a square build, lustrous hair, pale,smooth skin, graceful/lubricated, strong, tolerant/calm, loyal, compassionate, good memory, emotional, loves comforts,prone to inertia,prone to mucus, chronic sinusitis, swelling,fibroids, depression.(Himalayan Institute 2011)
Although a kaphic personality would love to hibernate, spending plenty of time on the couch reading, the best medicine is vigorous activity.
It is good for a kapha to push him/herself. Kapha benefits from dry heat and warming spices. Daily aerobic activity is essential. Kaphas need to sweat. Light food, with a minimum of dairy and wheat will help to balance kapha. Kaphas tend toward sluggish digestion, which leaves them prone to accumulation of toxins. Kaphas would do well with regular fasting. A vigorous and energizing yoga practice will benefit kapha. The key word for kapha is stimulation.

One dosha is not better or worse than the others. Each has both strengths and weaknesses. As you read this, you will notice that you have some traits from each of the three doshas. It is the dosha of which you have the most traits that determines your type. Often, you will have a secondary dosha. The 7 doshic possibilities are vata, pitta, kapha, pitta/kapha,vata/pitta,vata/kapha and vata/pitta/kapha. When in balance, the doshas support our health. When out of balance, the doshas accumulate, creating imbalance. All of life is a search for balance. Using the ayurvedic system of the doshas can simplify your search.