Oh! The Doshas! Through my Yoga Teacher Training, I have learned a lot about Ayruveda and one of the coolest things are the Doshas. This incredibly complex yet simple way of figuring out your energy, body type, food preferences and so much more! Every pose either strengthens or balances Doshas. "The Doshas are the result of mother nature manifesting herself into reality". According to Ayruvedica Medicine, "when the Doshas are not in equilibrium, disease manifests within the body. The Doshas are basically 3 distinct life forces, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata facilitates physical processes and movement. It is the air element and people who are born with the Vata energy are typically thinner, more energetic, easily understanding and forgetting, prone to worry. Interestingly, 2-6am and 2-6 PM are their best times of day and they are excellent artists and healers. For people who are Vata, it is important to be aware of overstimulation. Vata people thrive on variety, but if there is too much excitement and change, their excitement turns to exhaustion. Avoiding any sort of stimulants and staying warm with warm fluids, humidity help this cold dosha.
The Pita Dosha is the fire and water element. This intense energy has a knack for perceiving reality and comprehend things as they are. Governing all aspects of light and warmth Pittas are excellent teachers, Leaders and guides with very active solar and sacral chakras. They are gifted with the most innate drive, aggression and energy and love to attack life head-on and relish challenges. When this fire is unchecked, it can burn a Pitta up. The workaholics of the world are generally out-of-balance Pittas, so Pittas have to consciously pull themselves back when they see certain danger signs with scheduled calm in each day, connecting with nature, watching the sunset, stars or moon and avoiding alcohol. Their best times of day are 10pm-2am and 10am to 2pm.
Kapha is the third Dosha. This heavier, stable earth element Dosha has a slower movement and tends to be dependable and strong. Kaphas tend cling to the status quo too tightly and need the stimulation of new sights and sounds, people and events to move them. They need a varied diet and regular exercise to move to keep from allowing their digestion to slow down too much. This Dosha has a higher tendency for depression due to the natural slower movement and tendency to stagnate. Again, meditation is very useful here because what makes life truly stimulating is not external variety but the spark of alertness inside us. Kaphas are tempted to be posessive about life, to store and save everything that comes their way, whether it is money, energy, status or love. When they discover that they can let go and use their solid strength as a fuel for change, they take a huge step forward in their personal elevation.
It is recommended that Kaphas avoid sugar, stay warm and drink warm fluids during the day. Kaphas do best if they awaken one hour before the sun and to actually get less sleep than other Doshas.
Vata facilitates physical processes and movement. It is the air element and people who are born with the Vata energy are typically thinner, more energetic, easily understanding and forgetting, prone to worry. Interestingly, 2-6am and 2-6 PM are their best times of day and they are excellent artists and healers. For people who are Vata, it is important to be aware of overstimulation. Vata people thrive on variety, but if there is too much excitement and change, their excitement turns to exhaustion. Avoiding any sort of stimulants and staying warm with warm fluids, humidity help this cold dosha.
Kapha is the third Dosha. This heavier, stable earth element Dosha has a slower movement and tends to be dependable and strong. Kaphas tend cling to the status quo too tightly and need the stimulation of new sights and sounds, people and events to move them. They need a varied diet and regular exercise to move to keep from allowing their digestion to slow down too much. This Dosha has a higher tendency for depression due to the natural slower movement and tendency to stagnate. Again, meditation is very useful here because what makes life truly stimulating is not external variety but the spark of alertness inside us. Kaphas are tempted to be posessive about life, to store and save everything that comes their way, whether it is money, energy, status or love. When they discover that they can let go and use their solid strength as a fuel for change, they take a huge step forward in their personal elevation.
It is recommended that Kaphas avoid sugar, stay warm and drink warm fluids during the day. Kaphas do best if they awaken one hour before the sun and to actually get less sleep than other Doshas.
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