Ayurveda is an ancient and complex practice of health care. Our goal at Neeta Naturals is to offer you some of the basic concepts of Ayurveda so that you can apply these to your own beauty, health and well-being practice.
What is a Dosha?
According to Ayurveda, all living beings are formed from a unique combination of the five elements: ether, air, fire water, and earth. The 3 Dosha’s (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) are how those elements express through each person and give rise to our individual temperament/characteristics of mind and body.
What is your Dosha?
We all have a mix of these body-mind types but tend to be more dominant in one or two. If a person is clearly dominant in one dosha i.e. Pitta they are considered to have a Pitta constitution. If their secondary dosha i.e. Vata is also strong and they have very little Kapha they are considered to be a Pitta-Vata constitution. Each constitution has recommended lifestyle choices to support health, balance, and wellbeing.
Below I will explain each dosha body type and what it means to have those elements.
Vata Body Type –Ruled by Air
Vata dominant people when in balance are energetic, enjoy sports, physical activity, and new experiences. They are creative, easily engage with other people and have a zest for life. If a Vata person becomes imbalanced they tend toward worry, anxiety, self-judgment, and insomnia. The natural tendency of a Vata person is changeability which can appear as being unpredictable or unfocused as they move from project to project.
Vata body type is slim, tends toward cold hands and feet, dry skin and hair. Common experiences for Vata people when out of balance are digestive issues, weight loss, hypertension or joint pain.
When out of balance it is important for Vata types to keep a regular schedule with food, sleep, and light exercise. Eat warming foods connect with friends and loved ones and utilize meditation to help slow and calm the mind.
Pitta Body Type- Ruled by Fire
Pitta dominated people have a fiery nature. They tend to be intelligent, focused, passionate and decisive. In balance Pitta body types have a quick mind, excellent memory, are direct and outspoken. When out of balance these qualities often turn into a person who is argumentative, has a short temper, is judgmental and critical of others.
Pitta body type is medium size and weight, often with a muscular build. Pitta body types tend toward being warm and may have thin or fine hair. A balanced pitta body type will enjoy a glowing complexion, good digestion, and abundant energy. When unbalanced they often experience excessive heat, indigestion, inflammation and skin issues such as rashes.
Helpful tips to return to balance are to choose cooling and calming activities and food. Make sure to keep a regular schedule with meals that include cooling foods, slow down, make time to do things that bring you joy and be in nature.
Kapha Body Type – Ruled by Earth & Water
Kapha dominant people generally have a calm, gentle, and loving personality. They enjoy life. They have a relaxed temperament, take time making decisions, are patient, loyal and slow to anger. When out of balance the Kapha energy can cause lethargy, resistance, and depression.
Kapha body types are strong and solid. They often have lustrous thick hair and beautiful soft supple skin. When in balance they have an excellent constitution and physical stamina. The out of balance Kapha may experience weight gain, lethargy and tend to develop respiratory issues or diabetes.
When out of balance it is helpful for these individuals to move toward new and stimulating activities. Avoid excess sleep, exercise regularly and use dry heat to help balance the excess cold and damp.
In Ayurveda maintaining balance in all doshas is believed to be the key to health and longevity. This practice is a lifestyle that incorporates the right sleep, food, sexual activity, daily and seasonal routines along with mental habits.
We recommend talking with an Ayurvedic Physician who can prescribe a specific diet and Ayurvedic products based on your unique body type.
Remember it is the small consistent steps that lead to health and wellness. You can make simple choices every day to support balance and harmony.
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Author Neeta Naturals
