Understanding the doshas

Doshas are the language of Ayurveda, which can be tough for a Western mind to grasp at first. The word is Sanskrit for “that which can be disrupted,” which implies we need to work to keep them in check. Each dosha is a combination of 2 elements in nature, which have qualities that shape its function.

Doshas act like adjectives to describe individuals, regional climates, qualities of foods, and times of life, just to name a few.

All three doshas are essential to human physiology, but the amount and expression vary in each individual. Kind of like DNA building blocks, the doshas yield infinite manifestations of unique beings. Like the growing field of epigenetics, the doshas are influenced by lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, and stress, and can push a person towards a state of health or dis-ease. One of the main purposes of an Ayurvedic consultation is to figure out your unique constitution and restore doshic balance. Take a deeper look and see which ones you identify with the most. Most people are predominant in one or two.

Vata (“VAH-tah”)

Vata is a combination of ether and air, and like those two subtle elements, vata’s qualities are subtle, light, dry, cold, mobile, and rough. Kind of like an autumn breeze.

Physiologic functions of vata in our body involve movement.

Nerve impulses, peristalsis that carries food we ingest through the body, our heartbeat, and our breath all need well-coordinated movements. The colon is the major seat of vata, as it’s the place where water absorption takes place. The bones, being porous, are also vata territory.

Physically, a vata person tends to be on the lanky side (light) with small bones and wrists, cracking joints, thin skin, smaller eyes that tend to move quickly. They can have very dry skin especially in winter, they run cold, and always need a sweater.

All people have higher vata when it’s cold and windy.

Mentally and emotionally, vatas have a mind that races and a lifestyle that’s always on the move. Vatas love to travel, are open minded, and love trying new things. They are creative and enthusiastic, ethereal, sometimes impulsive, can be “a big ideas guy” but can have a tough time following through. Vatas can read several books at once without finishing them.

Digestion can be erratic, and a vata’s digestive weakness tends to be airy and dry in nature, like gas, bloating and constipation.

Foods that have high vata are light, dry, rough, cold, and subtle; raw salads, raw cabbage, sprouts, green juices, dry granola, chickpeas, raw nuts and seeds, crackers, popcorn, and dried fruits. Coffee is a vata substance since it dehydrates and can increase heart rate. Eating these foods in excess will increase overall vata in the body and can lead to conditions of dryness, like constipation, light bones, and absent periods.

Things that balance vata are warming, moisturizing, and grounding. Warm oil massage, magnesium baths, mantra meditation, and soups with ghee help to nourish and heal a vata imbalance.

Pitta (“PI-tah”)

Pitta is a combination of fire and water. Together, those elements have qualities that are sharp, hot, spreading, light, liquid, oily, and sour. Pitta weather is hot and humid.

Body functions of pitta involve transformation.

While vata brings food in and through our body, it’s pitta that transforms it via chemical breakdown and assimilation. Pitta is present in the small intestine, the blood, and the liver.

Physically, a pitta person has a medium build and can put on muscle easily. They can have light eyes and a penetrating gaze. Their hair tends to bald or grey prematurely; the saying goes that pittas have so much intelligence and fire in their brain that it burns through their head! They tend to run hot, wear T-shirts in winter, and can have red, oily, or inflamed skin.

All people have higher pitta when it’s hot and humid.

Mentally and emotionally, pittas are driven and focused. They could work on a project all day and night. A vata person on a team can come up with creative ideas, but a pitta will lead the project and keep everyone on task to completion. Pittas can make great public speakers and influencers. Their sharpness can sometimes become critical, and they can easily become impatient and frustrated if things are not done right. They can be hot headed, hot blooded, and passionate.

Pitta digestion is usually robust, with a strong appetite…they can become hangry! Pittas digestive weakness tends to be acidic and burning in nature. Sometimes food can seem to fly through the system without proper absorption.

Foods that have high pitta are hot, sharp, oily, and sour, such as hot sauce, meat, seafood, fried food, tomato sauce, and fermented foods like kombucha and kimchi. Sharp substances are things that hit the body fast, like coffee and alcohol. Eating these foods in excess will increase overall pitta in the body and can lead to conditions of inflammation and bleeding, like acne, ulcers, and heavy periods.

Things that balance pitta are cooling, sweet, and soften the sharpness. Coconut oil massage, a mostly vegetarian diet with loads of steamed bitter greens, a work curfew, and metta (loving kindness) meditation soothe pitta.

Kapha (“KUP-ah”)

Kapha is a combination of water and earth. Those qualities are heavy, cold, liquid, oily, dense, dull, slimy, static, and cloudy. Kapha weather is cool and damp.

Body functions of kapha involve structure and lubrication.

Kapha provides not only the bulk of our body, like muscle and fat, but the protective layers as well. It forms the lining of our stomach and intestines, the synovial fluid in our joints, the thin liquid layer that protects our heart and lungs from friction, and makes up the plasma and lymphatic systems that house our immune system. Healthy kapha provides the juiciness to be fertile.

Physically, a kapha person can be described as having a bigger build or curvy. They can have large and glossy eyes with thick eyelashes and thick hair. Their skin can be smooth and creamy, and sometimes clammy or oily. They tend to prefer weather that is hot and dry.

All people have higher kapha when it’s cool and damp.

Mentally and emotionally, kaphas are compassionate and grounded. Kaphas can be the friends to call in tough times as they listen well and have the strength to lean on. They tend to like routine, both in work and in daily life. They can be good at saving money; that same urge to save can sometimes lead to hoarding of possessions and difficulty letting go. The earth/water combo of kapha forms a mud, and sometimes kaphas can feel stuck, dull, or unmotivated.

Kapha digestion is slow. Kaphas often report that they gain weight just by looking at food. Digestive weaknesses include feeling of fullness in the belly, decreased appetite, or nausea. Elimination can be sticky or heavy.

Foods that have high kapha are heavy, slow, cold, stable, dense, cloudy, and oily; mac and cheese, ice cream, yogurt, mashed potatoes, avocado, root vegetables, oily fish, coconut oil, and peanut butter. Eating these foods in excess will increase overall kapha in the body and can lead to conditions of heaviness and dampness, like weight gain, wet cough, swelling joints or feet, and fibroids or clotting during periods.

Things that balance kapha are heating, drying, and stimulating. Cardio exercise, spicy foods, loads of steamed greens and clear broths, cutting out dairy and sweets, and kapalabhati pranayama (skull shining breath) all help to invigorate kapha.