Yoga, Spirituality & Ancient Wisdom The Ayurvedic Doshas Kripalu School of AyurvedaAyurveda is built around the five elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth. The unique combination of these elements come together to make up the doshas—the constitutions of vata, pitta, and kapha.According to Ayurveda, the doshas control the creation, maintenance, and breakdown of bodily tissue and elimination of wastes, as well as psychological aspects, such as emotions, understanding, and love. When balanced, the doshas maintain the systems of the body; when one of the doshas increases due to certain diet and lifestyle habits, imbalance is created. Ayurveda can help restore harmony to areas that have lost balance.The Three DoshasEach dosha has a number of corresponding qualities that are expressed in the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of one’s being. Here are the primary qualities of each dosha as they show up in various areas of the self. Don't know your dosha yet? Take the quiz and then learn more about your constitution below.VataBody Frame: ThinWeight: Hard to gain, easy to loseSkin: Cold, dry, thinHair: Dry, frizzy, thinEyes: Small, fine lashes, unusual colorAppetite: IrregularEvacuation: Constipated; irregular; dry, small quantitySweat: ScantyTemperament: Energetic, creative, indecisive, nervousMemory: Learns quickly, forgets quicklySpeech: Talkative, fast, high-pitched, scatteredClimate: Dislikes cold and dryActivity: Restless and active; socialRoutines: Dislikes routine, enjoys varietyPittaBody Frame: Medium build and musculatureWeight: Easy to gain, easy to loseSkin: Warm, oily, sunburns easily, freckles, acneHair: Straight, fine, premature grayingEyes: Brightly colored, almond-shaped, steady gazeAppetite: IntenseEvacuation: Loose, regular, large quantitySweat: ProfuseTemperament: Bright, intelligent, arrogant, driven, direct, wittyMemory: Learns quickly, forgets slowlySpeech: Articulate, decisive, clear, sharpClimate: Dislikes heat and humidityActivity: Competitive, intenseRoutines: Likes planning and organizingKaphaBody Frame: Broad, strong, curvyWeight: Easy to gain, hard to loseSkin: cool, fair, oily, thick, soft, smoothHair: Oily, wavy, thickEyes: Big, round, thick eyelashesAppetite: SteadyEvacuation: Slow, regular, moderate quantitySweat: ModerateTemperament: Calm, stable, grounded, stubborn, greedy, torporousMemory: Learns slowly, forgets slowlySpeech: Slow, melodious, deep, lowClimate: Dislikes damp/coolActivity: Calm; likes leisurely activityRoutines: Enjoys routineThe Doshas in DepthVataComposed of ether and airMeans “that which moves things”Qualities dry, light, cold, rough, hard, subtle, clear, mobileSite in body colon, thighs, hips, ears, bones, and organs of touch Yoga, Spirituality & Ancient Wisdom Tips for Balancing Vata PittaComposed of fire and waterMeans “that which digests things”Qualities oily, sharp, penetrating, hot, light, unpleasant odor, spreading, liquidSite in body small intestine, stomach, sweat, sebaceous glands, blood, lymph, and organs of vision Yoga, Spirituality & Ancient Wisdom Tips for Balancing Pitta KaphaComposed of earth and waterMeans “that which holds things together”Qualities cold, wet, heavy, dull, sticky, soft, steady, solid, smoothSite in body chest, lungs, throat, head, sides, pancreas, stomach, lymph, and fat Yoga, Spirituality & Ancient Wisdom Tips for Balancing Kapha Inspire someone’s journey. Share this wisdom.
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