One simple step to better health...
The importance of knowing your Dosha...
One of the first things you hear when mentioning Ayurveda is usually “doshas”. So, what is a dosha? Let me start by saying every single person needs different things. There is no one set solution to healthcare. This is where doshas are very important. Doshas are known as your body’s own personal constitution. From the second you are conceived your body is given a constitution, or set of guidelines that will best benefit your individual self. For optimum health each individual will need to follow and balance this set of “rules”. That’s why it’s beneficial to know and tap into this constitution. Per Ayurveda there are 3 main constitutions or what’s known as doshas. There can also be a combination of these 3 doshas. The 3 main doshas are vata, pitta, and kapha. Each dosha has its own set of qualities and characteristics. The main point to take from this is that what’s beneficial for one dosha may be harmful to another. Your body is born knowing how to optimally take care of itself. The key is learning this information and then applying it.
Each of the 3 doshas have certain qualities. When related to the human body these qualities are reflected as physical and mental characteristics of an individual. The first dosha is vata reflecting the elements of space and air. This constitution has the following qualites dry, light, mobile, quick, rough, and cold. For example, the qualities of vata usually manifests itself in the form of dry slim body. This person may have dry skin or hair, brittle nails, trouble sleeping, always cold, constantly moving, inconsistent eating habits and digestion, aggressiveness, unorganized, and poor concentration.
The second dosha is pitta, ruled by fire and water. Pitta is known for its heat. Pitta people usually have good digestion. However they are easily upsettable and suffer from anger. Other qualities include a strong mind, intelligent, quarrelsome, harsh, courageous, medium build, warm pink skin, early greying or baldness, and a heavy appetite.
The 3rd and final dosha is kapha. Kapha reflects the elements of water and earth. Heavy, wet, slow, and dull are some of the qualities of kapha. Kapha bodies are oily and soft with a heavy frame. A kapha person is calm, not aggressive, has a strong mind, moves slow, often suffer from a poor appetite, energetic, intelligent, good memory, respectful, and is generally happy.
As you move through life, each of the three doshas are constantly changing according to your environment, diet, and many other factors. As they become imbalanced, doshas will affect your mental, and physical health. That is why it’s so important to understand your personal dosha and what factors manipulate it. For example, we talked about how vata is dry and cold, therefore if you eat an excessive amount of dry, cold foods you are going to create an imbalance. If that balance remains for a significant amount of time it can absolutely manifest into disease. Learning your dosha is a perfectly simple way to know what your body needs to stay in balance, how to identify imbalances quickly, and how to resolve them to bring the body back to homeostasis.
Namaste :)
Now booking virtual consultations worldwide!
Also, now accepting FSA/HSA.
Book your appointment today :)