Do You Know Your Mind-Body Type?

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the term, “DOSHA” please allow me to explain. Your “dosha” is your mind-body type, and this term comes from the ancient wisdom teachings of Ayurveda which is more than 5,000 years old. As with MANY ancient wisdom teachings from around our world, the “doshas” are described through the elements. In Ayurveda these elements are described as the “Great Elements” (Mahabhutas): and they are Space (akasha), Air (vayu), Fire (agni), Water (jalu) and Earth (prithivi). I am providing the ancient Sanskrit terms for these principles and elements.

Ayurveda, which is also a Sanskrit word which can be translated as “the science of life” is an ancient wisdom tradition which is more than 5,000 years old. It is one of the earliest documented approaches to holistic and alternative medicine, and understanding ourselves, our health and our body as a multi-dimensional and spiritual being in a physical body.

Back to the “Doshas” … According the Vedic science (Ayurvedic Science), consciousness mainifests the world through the five great elements of space, air, fire, water and earth. Since our bodies reside in the world, they are composed of the five elements. Ayurveda teaches that as the field of pure potential (“The UNIVERSE)” unfolds into living forms, the five elements organize themselves into three essential principles: Movement, Metabolism and Structure. These three principles are known as the three doshas.

Vata is the “Wind” principle & its primary function is movement.

An individual whose mind-body constitution shows a preponderance of the Vata principle will likely possess attributes that resemble the wind.

Pitta is the “Fire” principle  & its primary function is transformation.

An individual with a preponderance of the Pitta principle have a fiery nature that manifests in both body and mind.

Kapha is the “Earth” principle of and its primary function is protection.

Those with an abundance of the Kapha principle are typically grounded and steady, remaining unruffled by, and sometimes even resistant to, change.

This is starting to sound complicated, right?

Well, really, this ancient wisdom system made it very simple. All of life, including us are all just composed of bits of space, air, fire, water, and earth. When we begin thinking about these five basic elements and their qualities, it becomes more simple. 

Western thought divides us into 3 basic body types: Endomorph, Ectomorph, and Mesomorph, and it takes noting into consideration of our mind and our way of interpreting our world.. Ayurveda looks deeper into the complete mind-body type of the individual, which is determined at conception. This is our “psychophysiological constitution” which is a big word for our “mind-body type”. 

Though we come into the world with our own unique constitution, or mind-body type, or combination of the doshas—our experiences and choices in live influence our current state. If one of the doshas is out of balance, it means we have “too much” of that principle active, and once we understand these principles there are things we can do to bring ourselves back into balance. 

Let’s begin by understanding a little more about each of the three dosha types:

In a conflict … 

Vata may ask, “What did I do wrong?”.

Pitta may ask, “What did YOU do wrong?”

Kapha might respond with, “Who cares … I don’t want to deal with it.”

Seasonal Cycles

As with the daily rhythms, the seasonal cycles that run throughout the yeare are matched to the doshas. Kapha season applies to the months when it is predominantly wet and cold, usually during late winter, spring and early summer. Pitta season applies to the hot summer and early autumn. Vata season is during the months when the weather is cold, dry and windy, usually occurring during the late fall and early winter. However, the three Ayurvedic seasons are only approximate and have to be adjusted according to local conditions. In addition, it is not really the calendar but the natural influences that determine how the doshas are affected. For example, any damp, cold or overcast day will increase Kapha to some degree, regardless of the season.

Kapha Seasonal Routine: Generally late winter, spring, and early summer

Favor a diet that is lighter, drier and less oily. Reduce heavy dairy products. Favor warm food and drink. Eat more foods with pungent, bitter and stringent tastes and fewer with sweet, sour and salty tastes.

Pitta Seasonal Routine: Generally midsummer through early autumn

The digestive fire is naturally high during hot weather, so your appetite may be increased. Respect this change by not overeating. Favor cool food and drink, but not ice cold. Favor sweet bitter and astringent tastes and reduce sour, salty and pungent ones. Your body will desire more fluids in hot weather but avoid large volumes of ice cold liquids during or after meals.

Vata Seasonal Routine: Generally late autumn through winter.

Favor warm food and drink, heavier food and a more oily diet than other times of the year. Your food should be well cooked and easy to digest, accompanied by plenty of warm liquids. Eat more foods with sweet, sour and salty tastes and fewer with pungent, bitter and astringent ones. Reduce dry or raw foods. It is natural for your appetite to increase during the Vata season. You may take increased quantities of food during this season but be careful not to overeat.

Vata Dosha: The Principle of Movement

Elements: Space and Air 

Characteristics: dry, cold, light, irregular, mobile, quick, rough 

Vata Constitution: Light, thin frame; active, restless, creative mind; variable diet and sleep patterns; digestive irregularity; dry skin & hair; anxiety/insomnia under stress. 

Responsible for: mental activity, neuromuscular activity, respiration, gastrointestinal mobility/elimination, cardiovascular circulation. 

Vata Psychology: to balance Vata, think “Rhythm” 

Balanced, Vata is energetic, adaptable, has strong initiative and is a good communicator. 

Imbalanced, Vata can become restless, insconsistent, unreliable and overly talkative. 

Imbalances of Vata often lead to dryness of the skin, hair, fingernails and large intestine. One may experience an irregular appetitie, delicate digestion, constipation, gas or bloating. One may become restless or suffer from insomnia. Emotionally, people with an Air imbalance may feel anxious, isolated, fearful or overly sensitive. 

Some general tips for Balancing Vata: Keep warm; Keep calm; Avoid both raw and cold food; Avoid cold temperatures; Eat warm foods and spices and Keep a regular Routine.

Pitta Dosha: The Principle of Transformation

Characteristics: Hot, moist, light, intense, fluid, pungent, sour

Pitta Constitution: Medium fram, keen intellect with hungry minds, strong appetite and digestion (for everything), warm extremeties, perspires easily, irritability and angry under stress.

Responsible for: Transformation and digestion, mental discrimination, visual perception, digestion, coloration and pigmentation, temperature regulation (all the colored body fluids are Pitta).

Pitta Psychology: To balance Pitta think “Decompression”

Balanced, Pitta is intelligent, warm, friendly, courageous, and are good leaders.

Imbalanced, Pitta dosha can become critical, irritable, headstrong and controlling.

An imbalance of the Pitta dosha creates an excess of heat and acidity in the body. This may create symptoms such as skin rashes and irritations, burning pain in the digestive tract, indigestion or heartburn. Emotions may become inflamed when the Fire principle is out of balance, and the person may become angry, intolerant and hyper-critical. Fire imbalances are more likely to develop when one feels pressured or has “too much on their plate.”

Some general tips for balancing Pitta: Avoid excessive heat, Avoid excessive oil &nd steam; Limit salt intake, Eat cooling, nonspicy foods, Drink cool (but not iced) drinks, Exercise during the cooler part of the day.

Kapha Dosha: The Principle of Protection & Structure

Characteristics: cold, heavy, stable, viscous, dense, smooth, slow

Kapha Constitution (earth & water): Heavy set build, methodical, thoughtful nature, slow steady appetite and digestion, smooth, soft, lustrous complexion, deep, prolonged sleep, withdraws under stress and when imbalanced tends to hold onto things for too long.

Responsible for: Principle of protection, nervous system support, digestive tract protection, respiratory tract lubrication, joint lubrication, water and fat regulation. Kapha body fluids are clear.

Kapha Psychology: to balance think “Action”

Balanced, Kapha is calm, steady, devoted and tolerant. Imbalanced, Kapha becomes boring, inert, needy and and complacent.

An imbalance in the Kapha dosha will make one feel sluggish, congested and lazy. Weight gain, retention of fluids, allergies and sinus congestion all reflect an excess or imbalance of the earth principal. Earth imbalances may manifest emotionally as depression, attachment, sentimentality, or an inability to let go.

General Tips for Balancing Kapha: Keep active and get plenty of exercise; Avoid heavy foods; Vary your routine; Avoid dairy foods, and fatty or oily foods; Avoid iced food and drinks; Eat light, dry food.

Would you Like to Learn More?

Get to Know your Mind-Body Type. Discover your personal blueprint for achieving perfect health, as we guide you into bringing vibrant balance to your unique mind-body type.