Doshas...

Ayurveda is the ancient art of healing and balance.  Its principles were first written down five thousand years ago and it is believed to be much older than that.  This holistic system works by balancing the forces in your body or doshas. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three are made up of different elements and each energetically manages a different system of the body.  It may seem confusing at first, but it really boils down to your nature and what you are going through in life right now.

We are each a born certain a dosha or a combo of two.  This is your Prakriti and will show your dominant characteristics. You should be able to see a little of yourself in the charts below. But also understand that we are influenced by all three doshas at all times and the whole point is to strive for a balance of the three. For example: if you are having a particularly high energy, manic, must-do-it-perfect-now day you may have a lot of Pitta (fire) going on. To balance, you need to encourage Vatta (air) and Kapha (earth) to cool the fire and ground you. You do not have to be a Pitta to have a Pitta day – we all have times of each.

Once you know your ayurvedic constitution, you can begin to understand how to balance what your body needs at any particular time; leading to greater healthiness, healing and longevity. I highly recommend taking a dosha quiz – we took one from Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution by Dr. Robert E. Svoboda – but you can find a dosha quiz online as well.  Though it may not be as thorough, it can get you started.

Vrksasana - Tree Pose

     Vata

     Air

     Cold

     Dry

     Irregular

     Dizzy, spacey

     ‘Head in the clouds’

     Manages movement

     High activity

     Eats fast

     Small meals, snacky

     Easily distracted

     Career changer

     At best: Creative, artistic,
     sensitive

     At worst: Neurotic, anxiety,
     indecisive

     Yoga: Vatas love back bends and
     heart-openers.
    
Vatas need grounding poses, like standing postures to root them like tree pose. 

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana -
Pigeon Pose

     Pitta                                                

     Fire + Water

     Hot

     Oily

     Transformation

     Strong, in charge

     ‘Hot temper’

     Manages digestion

     Competitive, athletic

     Needs to eat

     Spicy, caffeine, alcohol

     Easy to anger

     Team leader

     At best: Inspirer, pioneer, strong

     At worst: Tyrant, addictions,
     aggressive

     Yoga: Pittas love challenging
     poses like arm balances.


Pittas need to surrender in a pose like pigeon or in back bends. 

Virabhadrasana I - Warrior I

     Kapha

     Earth + Water

     Cold

     Oily

     Stability

     Grounded, easy going

     ‘Couch potato’

     Manages mucus, moisture

     Slow to get going

     Balanced meals

     Craves fatty foods

     Hard to get out of bed

     Stable, committed 

     At best: Nurturer, loving,
     confident

     At worst: Depressed, lethargic,
     unmotivated
     Yoga: Kaphas love poses near the
     earth and grounding.

Kaphas need to get moving and energize with sun salutes or warrior I.

      

                                                          

I am Pitta... Love the arm balance challenge... need more deep breathing and surrender. Surprised?! Which dosha are you? How can your practice best serve you?