The Three Doshas

Key to Ayurvedic diagnosis and healing are the five elements: Ether, Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. From these elements, Ayurveda has identified three dosha types:

Vata - Ether and Air

Pitta - Fire, and Water

Kapha - Water and Earth

Your predominant dosha indicates which elements have a tendency to become imbalanced. If we look at the elements within each dosha we can presume similar characteristics will be present within ourselves.

Vata Dosha - Air & Ether

The biological air humor is called “Vata,” which means “wind”. It means “that which moves things”. A person of Vata constitution has the predominant element of air. They may be thin, have a tendency to dryness in the skin, and brittle bones, because of the dry nature they may experience constipation. They may have quick or rapid speech and thoughts and are more prone to anxiety.

Vata is the prime force of the nervous system. It governs our sensory and mental balance, our sensory and motor orientation, and gives mental adaptability and comprehension.

Pitta Dosha - Fire & Water

The biological fire humor is called Pitta. It means “that which digests things”. It comes from the Sanskrit root “Tap,” meaning to heat, cook or transform. A person of Pitta constitution will have a medium build, strong digestion, and quick metabolism because of the predominance of fire. They may also experience skin conditions such as acne or eczema. Because of the water quality, they have an oiliness to their skin. They are ambitious and headstrong and have a tendency towards anger.

Pitta is responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body. It governs our mental digestion, our capacity to perceive reality and understand things as they are.

Kapha Dosha - Water & Earth

The biological water humor is called “Kapha,” which means “phlegm” and means “that which holds things together” and has the qualities of stickiness and adhesion. A person of Kapha constitution because of the predominance of Earth and Water elements will have a strong build with larger joints, and smooth, cool skin. They are more prone to congestion and dampness in the body. When out of balance, they are more prone to lethargy, depression, and attachment.

Kapha gives nourishment, provides substance and gives support. It makes up the bulk of our bodily tissues. It provides our emotional support in life and governs such positive emotional traits as love, compassion, modesty, patience, and forgiveness.

Locations in the body

Vata (air) is located in the colon, thighs, hips, ears, bones and organs of hearing and touch. Its primary site is in the colon. The colon is the site where gas (air) accumulates. The thighs and hips are the main site of musculo‑skeletal movement in the body, which Vata is responsible for. Vata governs the organs of hearing and touch, as they correspond to the elements of ether and air that it rules. The bones are the tissue belonging to Vata.

Pitta (fire) is located in the small intestine, stomach, sweat, the sebaceous glands, blood, lymph and the organ of vision. Its primary site is in the small intestine. The small intestine is the main seat of the digestive fire, the stomach of the digestive acids that have a fiery nature. The sweat and sebaceous glands hold and produce heat. The blood and lymph contain heat and color. The eyes are the sense organ that belongs to the element of fire.

Kapha (water) is located in the chest, throat, head, pancreas, sides, stomach, lymph, fat, nose and tongue. Its primary site is the stomach. The chest or lungs produce phlegm, as does the throat, head, sinuses and the nasal passages. The mouth and tongue produce saliva, another Kapha fluid. The tongue is the organ of taste, which sensory quality belongs to the water element. Fat tissue stores water. It is contained in our sides that surround the abdominal cavity in the form of peritoneal fluid.

Treating them at these locations by their respective methods we can cut the disease process off at the root.

• Vata in the large intestine

• Pitta in the small intestine

• Kapha in the stomach

Imbalances

Vata imbalance

In excess, Vata (air) causes emaciation, debility, seeking of warmth, tremors, distention and constipation, as well as insomnia, sensory disorientation, incoherent speech, dizziness, confusion and depression.

Pitta imbalance

Pitta (fire or bile) in excess causes yellow color of stool, urine, eyes and skin, as well as hunger, thirst, burning sensation and difficulty sleeping.

High Pitta dosha results in the accumulation of internal heat and fever along with inflammation. We literally begin to burn ourselves up. Various acids or bile accumulate in the tissues causing fermentation and infection. Bleeding and excessive discharges like sweat or urine often occur.

Kapha imbalance

Kapha (water or phlegm) causes depression of the digestive fire, nausea, lethargy, heaviness, white colour, chills, looseness of the limbs, cough, difficult breathing and excessive sleeping.

High Kapha dosha results in the accumulation of weight and gravity in the body, which inhibits normal function and causes hypoactivity through excess tissue accumulation.

Attributes of the doshas

Vata - Cold, dry, light, subtle, mobile, sharp, hard, rough, clear 

Pitta - Hot, slightly wet, light, subtle, flowing, mobile, sharp, soft, smooth, clear

Kapha - Cold, wet, heavy, gross, dense, static, dull, soft, smooth, cloudy

By their attributes, we can recognize and differentiate the Doshas: For example, a condition of cold in the body may be Vata (air) or Kapha (water) as both tend towards cold but in different ways. If it is cold and dry, it is Vata. If it is cold and wet, it is Kapha.

Treatment according to the Doshas & Twenty Attributes

The general rule like increases like:

The Doshas when aggravated present an increase of their attributes. Hence a cold, dry climate or a cold, dry emotional relationship will tend to aggravate Vata. An increase of like attributes is always the basic causative factor in any increase of the Doshas. Similarly, an application of opposite attributes, like heat in cold weather, will reduce any tendencies towards imbalance and disease. Around us at all times are factors increasing and decreasing the twenty attributes. It is important that we use these to balance out the conditions we find.

In use:

For example, when the cold property of Vata is more aggravated we can more safely use hot, dry spicy herbs like ginger or Trikatu. When the dry attribute is higher, such herbs would have to be used with discretion as they would tend to aggravate the condition by their drying nature. Then more demulcent or oily herbs, like licorice, shatavari or sesame oil, would be appropriate.

By treating the Doshas by individual attributes, we can provide a much more specific treatment plan than if we just treat them by their general nature. 

Energetic Forms of Doshas

The subtle form of Vata is also called Prana

Prana gives mental adaptability, capacity to communicate, coordination of ideas and breadth of comprehension. It is the basic life force or vitality of the mind. On a Pranic level, it gives enthusiasm, adaptability, creativity and strength. It provides the will to live, to grow and to get well. It governs overall growth and evolution of body and mind.

The subtle form of Pitta is called Tejas

Tejas gives intelligence, reason, passion to learn or discover, zeal, power of self‑discipline and the capacity to perceive. It is the basic clarity of mind. On a Pranic level, it gives courage, fearlessness, daring, boldness and valor.

The subtle form of Kapha is called Ojas

Ojas gives mental strength, contentment, patience, fortitude, calm and the capacity for good memory and sustained concentration. It is our basic mental and psychological stability and endurance in life. Ojas is essentially our peace of mind. On a Pranic level, Ojas gives a strong immune system, physical endurance and capacity for sustained work and exertion.

Energy and how we use it

One of the keys to a happy and successful life is right management of our energy. This includes being able not only to best use the energy that we already have but also to be able to access new and more creative forms of energy. The highest energy comes from within, from the power of our own consciousness.

Often our problems in life are not owing to wrong outer circumstances. They rest upon having insufficient energy to operate in the optimal manner.

• How is your energy? Not only physical energy, but also emotional, mental, creative and spiritual energy.

• Do you have the energy to achieve your goals?

A lack of energy in turn often rests upon lack of motivation or inability to focus. It is not necessarily from weak health or low vitality.

Our Natural Energy Sources

Physical - Through food and beverages, which can be enhanced with herbs and supplements.

Senses - Both through natural use of the senses and media devices to enhance them. Yet while natural sources of sensory impressions renew the mind and nervous system, artificial sources tend to deplete them.

Vital Energy - Primarily through the breath, which can be enhanced by Pranayama practices, extending to our ability to draw in the healing forces of nature.

Positive Emotions - Including caring, love and encouragement from others, extending to our connection to the Divine within. Negative thinking, on the other hand, reduces our vitality.

Good Thoughts and Positive Attitudes - Including concepts, ideas, ideals, principles and values, whether from teachers, friends, well-wishers or our own practices of contemplation and meditation.

Our own willpower - This includes connecting to the Divine Will and the universal power of motivation.

Practice Observing Your Breath

Become friends with your breath. As you become aware of it, the breath will naturally become deeper and calmer. Let your breath be your companion in life. If you can witness your breath, you can enter into the consciousness of the Seer.

Practice So’ham Pranayama:
Breathe in deeply mentally reciting the prana mantra “So.” Then relax body and mind on exhalation with the prana mantra “Ham.” You can use the breath to let go of stress, tension, trauma, or negative emotion down to a subconscious level. Otherwise, the breath reinforces these negative patterns. With So’ham, energize the attitude that the supreme spirit (so) am I (ham).