What's Your Dosha?

In Ayurveda we view a person as a unique individual made up of five primary elements. The elements are ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth. Just as in nature, we too have these five elements in us. When any of these elements are present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. The foods we eat and the weather are just two examples of the presence of these elements.

While we are a composite of these five primar y elements, certain elements are seen to have an ability to combine to create various physiological functions. Ether and air combine to form what is known in Ayurveda as the Vata dosha. Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination. Fire and water are the elements that combine to form the Pitta dosha. The Pitta dosha is the process of transformation or metabolism.

The transformation of foods into nutrients that our bodies can assimilate is an example of a pitta function. Pitta is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as cellular metabolism. Finally, it is predominantly the water and earth elements which combine to form the Kapha dosha. Kapha is what is responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit. Another function of the Kapha dosha is to offer protection. Cerebro-spinal fluid protects the brain and spinal column and is a type of Kapha found in the body. Also, the mucousal lining of the stomach is another example of the Kapha dosha protecting the tissues. We are all made up of unique proportions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These ratios of the doshas vary in each individual; and because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts for our diversity.

Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a unique makeup of the three doshas and to thereby design treatment protocols that specifically address a persons health challenges. When any of the doshas ( Vata, Pitta or Kapha ) become accumulated, Ayurveda will suggest specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to assist the individual in reducing the dosha that has become excessive. We may also suggest certain herbal supplements to hasten the healing process. If toxins in the body are abundant, then a cleansing process known as Pancha Karma is recommended to eliminate these unwanted toxins.

Tridosha means three 'life forces' or three humors namely VATA, PITTA and KAPHA.

As these are specific terms or names of the three types of humors in the body it is not possible to translate them into English. They can be understood, experienced or felt only from their qualities, behavior and actions in the body. The nearest translation, meaning or comparatives of these terms, depending upon their qualities, actions and behavior are:

- VATA DOSHA: The elements, space and air combines to form the motivating energy which is termed as Vata Dosha.

- PITTA DOSHA: The elements, fire and water combines to form the transforming energy which is termed as Pitta Dosha.

- KAPHA DOSHA: The elements, water and earth combines to form the stabilising energy termed as Kapha Dosha.

Knowledge of personal Ayurvedic constitution is very important in both prevention as well as treatment of a disease. According to Ayurveda the body comprises of three primary life-forces which in the Ayurvedic terminology are called doshas. Because they are three in number, they are generally termed as Tridosha. These three doshas are vata, pitta and kapha. To have a better understanding they can be compared to air, fire and water respectively. These doshas are spread all over the body and regulate the functioning of every tissue cell by being present in each one of them. They are responsible for the psycho-physical nature of the individual.

This psycho-physical nature of the individual is known as prakriti or constitution. Though each one of us have all the three doshas, the proportion varies. The constitution of the individual is decided by the predominant dosha. For example a person who has vata as the predominant dosha is generally tall and thin, has poor memory, is fearful ,anxious, nervous, has dry skin and low weak voice, has variable appetite and likes travelling.

These three doshas come from the parents through the sperm and ovum and remain in the living body from the time of conception till the end of life. When a sperm and ovum unite in the uterus of a mother to form zygote, the doshas predominant in the sperm, ovum and the uterus decide the constitution of the individual. The predominant dosha can be one of the three, two combined together or all the three in a balanced form, thus forming seven types of constitutions mentioned below.

If the doshas are in a state of equilibrium it gives rise to a healthy foetus and the child born leads a healthy life. If the doshas are in a disturbed state it may prevent conception or result in undergrowth of the zygote or other malformations. The diet, living style and activities of mother during pregnancy are also responsible in the formation of one's constitution.