The Doshas; Vata, Pitta & Kapha by Shivadasi ©
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The following is a basic outline for the Doshas as derived from Vedic Science. Ayurveda regards the qualities and characteristics of our bodies as Vata, Pitta and Kapha and is essential in correcting and understanding ones overall health. When the five eternal substances - earth, water, fire, air, and space - combine to form the human body, they do so by creating three vital energies, or doshas. The three doshas construct and maintain our physical being, and they determine our unique characteristics and traits. The word "dosha" literally translates to "fault" because they describe the three ways in which the body tends to move out of balance. Ayurveda maintains that an individual attains good health when he or she strikes a balance among the three doshas. Though everyone's body contains all three doshas, generally, one or two of the doshas will be predominate in an individual, leading to the categorization of people as different doshas, for example, Vata-Pitta, Kapha, or Pitta-Kapha, etc. Detailed accounts of the actions of the doshas within the human body are found throughout the Ayurvedic literature and are used by practitioners as an integrated part of a wholistic modeling system for keeping the human being in optimum health. Some characteristics of the doshas are briefly presented in this essay and are not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition, if you are concerned about a specific medical condition, I suggest you consult a qualified expert.
Vata: Governs bodily functions concerned with movement. Vata is especially involved in the movement of electrical activity up and down the nerves and therefore has a major function in the nervous system and brain. The flow of food through the digestive tract and the circulation is also controlled by the function of Vata. Vata is formed by the interaction of space and air, it is movement supporting the motion of the body. It is the energy of respiration, heartbeat, nerve impulse, and muscle contraction. As such, it circulates the blood and lymph, draws and expels air from the lungs, moves food through the digestive system, and eliminates waste. Vata dosha types are full of movement and very energetic, they tend to have small, slight body frames, are alert and occasionally tend to worry. Their skin can be cold and dry and their hair is often light brown. When out of balance, creative Vata types can suffer nervous disorders or unpredictable mood swings, and may be prone to suffer gas, chronic pain or constipation. A Vata type tends to have cold hands and feet and a dislike of cold climate, they have a quick ability to pick up new information and it can be quickly forgotten. They also tend to be dry, skin, dry hair, dull eyes, moderate sweating.
Pitta: Governs bodily functions concerned with heat, metabolism and energy production. Pitta's main activities are to control the chemical transformation processes associated with digestion and metabolism. Those with a predominent Pitta dosha have a tendency to be warm, flushed skin, inflammation or overactive metabolism and they are sharp in mind and speech. They tend to perspire profusly and have sour or bad breath and sour body odor, if excess Pitta is present. Pitta is in charge of all transformation in the organism and controls digestion of food and they tend to have light in the eyes . Pitta is formed by the interaction of fire as energy of change and water as agent of change. The polarity of these two elements plays an important role. Pitta regulates the body, controlling its metabolism. It is the body in transformation. Thus it handles the release and absorption of hormones, production of heat, and cooling. Where Vata moved nerve impulses to the brain, Pitta converts those impulses to thought. Pitta dosha types are strong, intelligent and full of drive. They have a medium build, soft skin and reddish hair. They have an excellent memory, good leadership skills, stamina and a great capacity for joy, but can easily become angry or impatient. When out of balance, pitta types tend to ulcers, hypertension, kidney ailments, skin infections and allergies.
Kapha: Governs bodily functions concerned with physical structure and fluid balance. Kapha is mainly concerned with fluid balance and the buildup of the gross structure of the body including fat, tissues and muscles. Traits of Kapha, heavy disorders suggest Kapha imbalance, depression, they tend to crave sweets, leading to weight gain or diabetes. Kapha types are steady, self-contained, the body processes do not swing to the extremes. Softness, such as soft skin and hair, a soft look in the eyes and an undemanding approach to situations. Kapha dosha types exude a slow steady movement and they are deliberate in thinking. Kapha is the stabilizing influence in the living being it lubricates, maintains and contains. Kapha combines the structural properties of earth with water in its role as lubricant. It builds the body and forms its structure, skeleton, muscles, organs, ligaments, tendons, and skin are the work of Kapha. Kapha doshas with it lubricating principal ensures the smooth function of joints. With strength, stability and solidity Kapha is the body in repose. Individuals who have predominatly kapha dosha are stable and full of potential energy meeting their potential is often a struggle. They tend to have large bodies and dark hair, oily or moist skin and large eyes. They are very calm, possess excellent long-term memory and generally sleep well, but lean toward laziness and depression. If kapha is out of balance greed sets in, hay fever, asthma, edema, obesity and tumors.
*Ayurvedia is a Science and is a vast subject for which I have only briefly touched upon.
Felise Berman Copyright ©1994- 2007. All rights reserved. Revised: Monday, May 05, 2008
Class Schedule Yoga Shop Home Page Workshops Contact Shivadasi Private Yoga