The Doshas

Ayurveda centres around three main body types which are known as Doshas.

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Vata – is made up of air and either

Pitta – is made of fire and water

Kapha – is made of earth and water

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They are responsible for everything that happens in our bodies. We all have all 3 Doshas in a unique combination, like a fingerprint. Most people have a primary and a secondary Dosha. It is more unusual to be tri Dosha.

We all have a natural constitution/Dosha at birth known as Prakriti. Life events, environmental influences, how we have lived all impacts our Prakriti. Our current constitution/Dosha is known as Vikriti and often referred to as state of imbalance.

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Your Prakriti never changes however your Vikriti can change often throughout your life.

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Vata

Vata Dosha is made up of air and space and when we say someone is airy this is typical of the Vata nature.

People with a Vata Dosha tend to be slim although some may have a slightly rounded belly. This rounding is more likely to be a result of bloating in the large intestine. They will either be short or tall with curly, dry, sometimes wiry hair. Their bones are slim and teeth may be a little irregular. They often struggle to keep weight on. Often with dry skin, hair, brittle nails.

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Vata people are creative, often artistic or musicians. They are intelligent and love learning new things and need excitement. They are good speakers and talk fast. They are enthusiastic and have tendency to move from one topic to another, sometimes in a disjointed way. They are quick to pick things up, however can also quickly forget. They are good at coming up with lots of ideas and often have a lot of things on the go at once but can struggle to complete things. Erratic, changeable, lack of focus. Social butterfly, like to talk a lot. Likes to travel. Can lose temper or react quickly but its forgotten straight away.

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Vata types have high energy in short bursts and burn out quickly. They normally have a weak digestion and tend not to eat big meals and can often forget to eat and miss meals. Don’t tend to drink much. They have a tendency to feel the cold and be sensitive to the elements.

Vata types need to relax and nurture themselves to stay balanced.

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Pitta

Pitta Dosha is made up of fire and water and fiery describes the Pitta nature well.

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People with a Pitta Dosha often have fair, red or ginger hair, freckles, sweats a lot, warm skin. Prone to early balding, greying. They have a medium strong build, tending to be fit and active. Static weight and normally find it easy to lose weight. They have medium endurance, are often athletic, good at sport and can be competitive. They feel the heat and get agitated when hot. Burn easily in sun.

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They are determined and like things done properly or their way. They can be very focused and driven to see things through to completion. Pitta types are generally good organisers, like structure, intelligent, perceptive to other people’s strengths and good at motivating others. They are clear and precise when communicating and are often excellent at public speaking. Analytical, likes to know how things work, know more about things. Pitta types make good managers and organisers. Make good politicians, lawyers, accountants, military, psychologist. Like self-help books, watching documentaries. At a party, they would seek out a few people they want to speak to.

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Pitta types are prone to stress and when they are, they will overheat feeling physically hot and bothered, but also irritable and even angry. They can be impatient and pushy. Although they are often naturally witty, this can turn to sarcasm which can be quite cutting. Holds onto anger, irritable, self-critical.

They have a strong digestion and good appetite, feeling hungry near mealtimes. It is important that Pitta types eat regular, good quality meals to keep them satisfied. Sometimes they can be so focused on finishing a task that they ignore their hunger, and this will result in them becoming irritable and bad tempered.

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They can have a preference for hot/spicy food, meat along with coffee and alcohol. Having a strong digestion, they can usually cope with this however it often has a bad effect on their long-term health.

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Pitta types need to relax and nurture themselves to stay balanced.

Kapha

Kapha Dosha is made up of earth and water and people with a Kapha Dosha tend to have an earthy, grounded nature.

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People with a Kapha Dosha don’t tend to get stressed easily and are generally content and easy going. They are strong but have a tendency to be heavier build with good stamina and endurance, but take a while to get motivated. Larger frame, wide hands and feet, larger eyes, thick lustrous hair, oily skin, strong joints/bones, bigger teeth.

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They like peace and quiet and less talkative and talk more softly and slowly. Family orientated, home body. Kapha people tend to be reserved, are good listeners and have a natural empathy and compassion and are loving, loyal and understanding. At a party people would be drawn to them. Kapha types work hard and will complete a task at a slow and steady pace. They love routine and are happy doing the same task or job every day. They love comfort and security. They are natural carers, administration, teachers, nurses, chefs, often good singers.

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Kapha Dosha often have a sluggish, slow digestion, tending to eat bigger meals and then won’t feel hungry for a long time. They don’t however need to feel hungry to eat and won’t forget to eat. Ironically it is Kapha people who can afford to miss a meal with no effects. The main challenge of Kapha types is weight gain.

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People with Kapha Dosha have a good nature but can lack motivation. Lethargy can be a problem and they can become lazy. They benefit from strong energic exercise and to eat less food to keep them in balance. Keeps anger or hurt to themselves, leads to depression.

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What Dosha sounds most like you?