Understanding the Doshas for Better Health

“In the practice of Ayurveda we try to bring people back into balance and at the same time let their true nature shine through.  The two processes are really the same.”–Deepak Chopra. 

Ayurvedic practitioners look at each client as a unique composition of the doshas, which are distinct mind-body types.  In Ayurveda, there is no separation between the two.  The first dosha is vata, and it is usually the first to become imbalanced and over time will take the others with it.  It is governed by air and ether and is linked to the intestines, circulation, and the heart.  Characteristics of vata are coolness, movement, speed, dryness, and roughness.  The second dosha is pitta.  It is governed by fire and water and is linked to digestion, metabolism, and perspiration.  Characteristics of pitta are heat, sweat, sharpness, and sour odors.  The third dosha is kapha.  It is governed by water and earth and is linked to the mucous membranes.  Characteristics of kapha are heaviness, sweetness, steadiness, softness, and slowness.  Everyone is a combination of the three doshas, and at the time of our birth, we are composed of a harmonious balance of all three—not necessarily an equal balance, but a combination that forms our perfect mental and physical constitution, our prakriti.  Over the course of one’s life, we will shift from our prakriti, our harmonious balance of the doshas, into a disharmonious vikriti, which literally means a deviation from nature.  Our doshas become imbalanced over a period of time due to some lifestyle choices:  eating the wrong foods, not getting enough rest, harboring negative emotions, and enduring physical and mental strain.  On the other hand, our doshas can be balanced through diet, exercise, daily routine, and seasonal routine.   The Ayurvedic bliss therapies that I practice are rituals that are intended to balance a person’s vikriti and to restore harmony among the doshas.  Read More...