Discovering Your Inner Balance: A Journey Through Ayurvedic Doshas

In our fast-paced modern world, it's easy to feel disconnected from the universe and even from our own bodies. We rush through our daily lives, constantly bombarded by a cacophony of demands and distractions. However, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda reminds us that we are not separate from the universe; we are an integral part of it. In this holistic system of healing, at the heart of Ayurveda lies the concept of "DOSHAS," referring to the elemental energies governing our unique constitution and influencing our overall well-being. There are three doshas, namely, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which govern our body.

Before diving into the doshas, let’s take a moment to grasp the essence and origin of Ayurveda itself.

THE COSMIC SYMPHONY OF CREATION

Ayurveda begins with a beautiful and profound concept—the cosmic sound of creation, often represented by the sacred syllable 'Om' (AUM). This primordial sound reverberates through the universe, giving rise to all other sounds. It is pronounced without touching of the palate by the tongue, and ends with closing of both the lips.'Om' signifies the absolute phenomenon of sound production, and it manifests through the subtle vibrations of the cosmic elements.

From this cosmic symphony of elements, our world is born. The five elements- Ether (Akash), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jal), and Earth (Prithvi)- combine to create everything around us, including our own bodies.

THE DOSHAS: VATA, PITTA, AND KAPHA

In Ayurveda, these five elements come together in various combinations to form three fundamental bodily substances known as the doshas. These doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and they play a significant role in determining our physical, mental, and emotional health. Achieving a harmonious balance among these doshas is the key to achieving optimal well-being.

Discovering your dominant dosha can provide valuable insights into your personality, physical attributes, and emotional tendencies. Ayurveda teaches us that each person is unique, and our dosha constitution, known as Prakriti, influences how we act and react to the world around us.

VATA: THE ENERGY OF MOVEMENT

Imagine the wind rustling through leaves, the subtlest of breezes, and the cool, crisp air of autumn. This is the essence of Vata, the dosha associated with the air and ether elements. Vata is not just the air we breathe; it’s the subtle energy that governs all biological movement in our bodies. It is Composed of Ether (Akash) and Air (Vayu) elements. It governs all mental and physiological activities.

Properties of Vata:
Cold, light, rough, dry, mobile, subtle, clear, tiny, dry, and astringent.

Primary Site of Vata:
The colon, but it also resides in the bladder, thighs, ears, bones, and the sense of touch.

Function of Vata:
Vata is responsible for all movement in the body, including the breathing, blood circulation, heart beat rhythm, blinking, elimination of waste, and even the expression of speech. It regulates the nervous system and is the messenger that ensures electrical impulses in our body-mind network.

Attributes of Vata Individuals:

• Dry skin, eye, lips and thin hair.
• They are underweight
• Usually have dark complexion, dark hair and eyes with big and protruding teeth.
• Muscles and bones are light and flexible.
• Joints are cracking, nails are brittle and they suffer from constipation due to dry colon. 
• Often suffer from thirst, constipation, bloating, pain, etc.
• They walk and talk very fast and typically exhibit restlessness.
• Often experience loneliness and feel claustrophobic in enclosed spaces.
• Quick to understand and forget things.

In Balance: Promotes creativity, flexibility, freshness, lightness, happiness, and joy.

Out of Balance: Leads to fear, nervousness, anxiety, tremors, and spasms. Diseases involving air principle such as pneumonia, arthritis, emphysema, nerve disorders may show up.

Balancing Vata:

• Consumption of warm, nourishing foods like soups and stews.
• Food cooked with plenty of water and slight ghee, oil or butter are beneficial.
• Staying hydrated with intake of warm drinks.
• Prioritising a regular daily routine.
• Oil massage and hot water sudation.
• Engaging in calming activities like meditation and yoga.
• Maintaining a regular routine to provide stability.
• Avoiding excessive cold, astringent, pungent and raw foods.
• Avoiding over exertion.

PITTA: THE FIRE ELEMENT

Picture the intensity of a bonfire, the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel, and the warmth of a summer day. This is the essence of Pitta, the dosha associated with the fire and water elements. Pitta represents the energy of heat, transformation, and metabolism.

Properties of Pitta:

• Pungent, hot, penetrating, greasy, oily, sharp, liquid, spreading, and sour.
• Characteristics include heat, sharpness, and slight oiliness.

Primary Site of Pitta:
The small intestine, but it also resides in the eyes, blood, skin, sweat glands, stomach, and lymph.

Function of Pitta:
Pitta regulates digestion, assimilation, body temperature, hormone levels, hunger, thirst, and skin quality. Mentally, it influences our ability to understand, concentrate, and digest sensory stimuli.

Attributes of Pitta Individuals:

• Sharp, analytical, and naturally inclined leaders.
• Prone to anger and irritability when imbalanced.
• Distinct eyes, pointed nose, tapering chin and red flushed shiny skin.
• Heart-shaped face with sharp teeth.
• Medium height and body frame.
• Grey hair with receding hair line or baldness and soft brown hair on body and face.
• Body temperature tends to be higher than normal, so, they sweat easily and have fetid smell under armpit and in soles of feet.
• Muscles are delicate and they can’t tolerate heat and brightness.

In Balance: Fosters clarity, intelligence, and efficient digestion.

Out of Balance: Results in excessive heat, inflammation, acidic stomach; they are prone to acne, rash and inflammations. Heartburn, nausea, burning sensation, bitter taste in mouth, prickly heat, over production of bile, easy agitation, strong feelings of anger and hate. Health issues with fire principles like ulceration, acid reflux, heartburn, colitis, conjunctivitis, jaundice, acne, fever and inflammation can be seen.

Balancing Pitta:

• Savouring fresh, sweet, bitter, cooling, hydrating foods to quench the inner fire.
• Cultivating calmness through stress-reduction techniques.
• Engaging in moderate exercises like swimming and mindful walks.
• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
• Avoiding spicy, fiery foods, hot spices, chilies, sour, salty and pungent foods.
• Avoiding garlic, raw onions, tomatoes and radishes.
• Consuming meat in moderation.
• Having dairy products like cottage cheese, cow milk, goat milk, ghee and yoghurt. 

KAPHA: THE STABILISER

Imagine the nurturing qualities of rich, moist soil, the stability of the earth beneath your feet, and the gentle embrace of a mother’s love. This is the essence of Kapha, the dosha formed by the water and earth elements. Kapha embodies qualities of stability, compassion, and coolness.

Properties of Kapha:
Slow, heavy, cool, dense, soft, greasy, unctuous, sticky, cloudy, liquid, and sweet.

Primary Site of Kapha:
The stomach, but it also resides in the chest, throat, head, joints, heart, pancreas, lymph, fat, nose, and tongue.

Function of Kapha:
Kapha provides stability, nourishment, moisturization to the skin, promotes immunity, and protection. It influences growth, development, and the lubrication of various bodily systems like joints. It provides shape and form to the body. It regulates phlegm and mucus in the body. It influences sensations of taste and smell. In the mind, it impacts our capacity for compassion and emotional support.

Attributes of Kapha Individuals:

• The calm, compassionate anchors in life’s storms.
• Prone to possessiveness and complacency when imbalanced.
• Have large body frame with heavy weight.
• Tend to be overweight and have deep voice.
• Have oily and smooth skin.
• Thick hair and nails with a soft pleasing look.
• Eyes are big and attractive with long lashes.
• Have good memory and melodious voice.
• Feces are usually soft, oily and pale.
• Joints are lubricated and unctuous with firm muscles and compact tissues.
• Mostly lethargic and loves sitting idle.
• Sound and prolonged sleep.

In Balance: Fosters serenity, empathy, patience, strong physical endurance and a potent constitution.

Out of Balance: Lethargy, possessiveness, stubbornness, laziness, greed, envy, attachment and even depression, prone to congestion in sinus, throat, chest, flu, water retention, mucous formation, headache and obesity.

Balancing Kapha:

• Infuse warm, astringent, pungent and light food into your diet.
• Embrace regular detoxification practices like panchkarma.
• Incorporate spices like ginger, cloves, cinnamon, mustard seeds, pepper, etc.
• Stay physically active and engage in regular exercise like yoga.
• Avoid heavy, oily foods and excessive sweet or salty snacks.
• Observe fast once a week.

CONCLUSION: YOUR PATH TO HOLISTIC WELL-BEING

Each dosha has its unique qualities, functions, and subtypes, but balance is the key to well-being in Ayurveda. Imbalances can lead to various physical and emotional issues. Understanding your dominant dosha and making appropriate dietary, lifestyle, and herbal choices can help you on your way to discovering the harmony that exists within and around you.

Your journey to well-being starts with self-awareness and the wisdom of Ayurveda as your guide. May your path to holistic well-being be filled with balance, harmony, and vitality.

Remember, that Ayurveda is a comprehensive system, and consulting with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner is recommended for personalised guidance on maintaining your unique dosha balance. 

REFERENCES:

• https://www.ayurveda.com/resources/articles/ayurveda-a-brief-introduction-and-guide
• Lad, V. (2002). Textbook of Ayurveda: Volume one. Albuquerque, N.M: Ayurvedic Press
• Lad, V. (2012). Textbook of Ayurveda: Volume three. Albuquerque, N.M: Ayurvedic Press

Published By Rasayana Limited. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Written by: Anirudh Gomber
Revised by: Dr. Monika Mittal
Edited by: Taahira Om Kisna

Photography credits: Katherine Hanlon