Ayurveda is the ancient Indian medical system based on the idea that if our energies are not balanced, we become unwell, stressed and depleted. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, life force manifests as three different energies or doshas known as vata, pitta and kapha and these energy patterns govern our thinking and behaviour. We are all born with all three doshas, but the way they are balanced and the dominance of one or two of them defines who we are. Each dosha is associated with certain behavioural and emotional characteristics.

The goal of yoga practice is always balance and knowing about the doshas can inform your practice and help you to choose wisely what you need from eash yoga session to create equilibrium and calm in body, mind and spirit. Getting to know and understand the balance of your doshas helps you to accentuate the positive parts of it and mitigate the negative.

Each dosha is a combination of the 5 elements: vata is most associated with space and air, pitta with fire and water and kapha with earth and water. Our doshic constitution can be regulated in three ways: diet, lifestyle and use of herbs. Unless you see an ayurvedic doctor, you will mostly be using yoga and life choices to keep yourself in balance. By understanding your doshas and creating a lifestyle and yoga practice accordingly, you’ll enjoy a healthier, more balanced life. As you learn more about the qualities of each dosha, you’ll be able to recognize when an imbalance arises in your mind or body and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

You can find a link to a dosha questionnaire here. Please note that this is an extremely simplified approach to the doshas. Although this questionnaire is similar to that used by ayurvedic practitioners, there are many other methods (reading your pulse, looking at your tongue, etc) that an ayurvedic doctor would also do to determine your doshas. Having said that, I have had my doshas read by an experienced Ayurvedic doctor and the result was the same as I got from just such a questionnaire.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOSHA BALANCE (complete the questionnaire before reading)

PITTA: When the pitta dosha is predominant in your basic nature you have a tendency to be assertive and determined, with a muscular body and a penetrating mind.

As long as pitta is balanced in your mind-body constitution, you will enjoy a strong appetite and digestive powers.

The pitta mind/body type is full of vitality and charm and likely to thrive when the centre of attention. You’re sharp-witted with clear, confident speech and strong opinions. Blessed with an enquiring mind, you’re a good decision maker, probably a high achiever, and perhaps even quite competitive. You do well in areas such as business, science, sport or law.

Physically, you have good stamina and energy levels, with a strong appetite. People may need to watch out if you get a bit annoyed or angry, especially in summer heat.

Out of balance, you may be prone to acid indigestion or heartburn and sensitive skin, and go grey or lose hair prematurely.

When pitta becomes imbalanced, heat begins to rise in the body and mind. Heartburn, ulcers, hypertension, and inflammatory conditions reflect excessive accumulation of the fire element.

On the level of emotions, too much pitta manifests as irritability and anger. These symptoms are signals that you need to cool down and chill out; stop packing in too many things to do in too little time. Reduce your competitive activities, spend time in the inner quiet of meditation, and go for a walk in a natural setting that is soothing and cooling.

Pitta characteristics
Mind - Sharp, intellectual, direct, precise, discerning
Body - Medium build, warm, muscular
Skin - Sensitive, flush, acne-prone
Hair - Tendency towards early graying or thinning
Appetite - Strong, can eat just about anything, anytime
Routine - Very precise and organized
Temperament - Passionate, driven, courageous, strong sex drive, good leader
Conversation Style - Speaks to convey a point
Shopping Style - Spends on luxury items
Stress Response - Irritable, tendency to blame others

For pitta imbalance (grumpy, short-tempered, impatient) you might find relief with some cooling pranayama such as shitali and yin yoga to deeply soften and release. What works well to soothe aggravated pitta is a dynamic practice with lots of challenge (because you enjoy it), then once you are thoroughly warm and worn out, do a long and soothing yin practice with ujjayi pranayama. In life away from your mat, take a run or a fast walk and when you get home sit down with a book and a cup of tea for at least half an hour. Read something that inspires you, gaze into the middle distance, breathe deeply, forgive yourself.

VATA: When the vata dosha is predominant in your basic nature, you will tend to always be on the go, with an energetic and creative mind. As long as vata is in balance, you will be lively and enthusiastic, with a lean body. The word 'vata' comes from the Sanskrit meaning 'to flow'. This mind/body type is likely to have an active, restless nature and love change.

When in balance, you’re quick thinking, enthusiastic, creative, and bursting with ideas. You probably talk as fast as you think and may even jump from subject to subject. You are an excellent communicator and often work in more creative professions. You’re also perceptive and sensitive but may be prone to worry. Your appetite and energy levels are often variable, due to vata’s changing nature. Physically, you have a slight build, and are probably quite sensitive to cold. If vata becomes imbalanced in your mind-body system, your activity will start to feel out of control. Your mind may race, contributing to anxiety and insomnia. You may start skipping meals, resulting in unintended weight loss, and your digestion may become irregular.

If you notice these early symptoms of a vata imbalance, slow down, take time to meditate, don’t skip meals, and get to bed earlier. A regular routine helps to ground Vata so you are not carried away into anxiety or overthinking. Drinking water or immersing yourself in water (a shower/bath/swim) helps to ground Vata that is out of balance, as does massage with oil.

When run down, you are likely to be prone to stress, anxiety, insomnia, dry skin and bloating or constipation.

Vata characteristics
Mind - Creative, quick, imaginative
Body - Thin, light frame
Skin - Dry
Hair - Dry
Appetite - Delicate, spontaneous, often miss meals
Routine - Variable, spontaneous
Temperament - Welcomes new experiences, excitable, friendly, energetic
Conversation Style - Loves to talk
Shopping Style - Buy, buy, buy
Stress Response - What did I do wrong? Tendency to blame oneself

For vata imbalance (cracking joints, anxious, restless, unable to focus) try Chandra bhedena pranayama to bring more grounding and some physically strong, but slow-flowing asana to bring you home to your body. Embrace silence for a time and solitude if you enjoy it, listen to your favourite music and make something: bake a cake, draw a picture, knit - transforming excess vata energy into creating something grounds and settles.

KAPHA: If the kapha dosha is predominant in your basic nature, it gives you a deep sense of stability and inner calm. Your body will tend to be heavyset and strong, and you will enjoy excellent stamina and energy. The word kapha comes from the Sanskrit meaning ‘that which flourishes in water’. Your mind/body type is reliable and loving, making you an ideal best-friend, affectionate and steadfast. Your calm and steady nature makes you can excellent provider and team player. You might be described as a ‘quiet achiever’.

Physically, you are well-built and nourished, with a smooth complexion and likely to have glossy hair and skin that ages well. You tend to have a slow but steady appetite, love to sleep, and like your creature comforts.

When kapha becomes imbalanced, it can manifest in your body as excess weight gain, fluid retention and allergies. On the level of the mind, excess kapha can lead to resistance to change and stubbornness. If you have a kapha imbalance, you will tend to hold on to things, jobs, habits, and relationships long after they are no longer nourishing or necessary. To lighten the heaviness of kapha, be sure to get regular physical exercise. Eat light, spicy foods, and give away things you have been accumulating that you know you’ll never use.

You don’t tend to thrive in cold, damp weather and may be prone to sluggish metabolism and a lack of motivation - especially if you eat too much sweet food.

If you notice kapha becoming inbalanced,perhaps you feel sluggish, you haven’t made it to your mat for ages or you can’t be bothered to get moving, then refresh yourself with some movement, even 20minutes of yoga flow will help to break the cycle. Bhastrika pranayama or a brisk walk might also do the job of getting you going again.

Kapha characteristics
Mind - Detail-orientated, steady, consistent
Body - Sturdy, gains weight easily, has trouble losing it
Skin - Smooth and oily
Hair - Thick, oily
Appetite - Loves to eat but has a slow digestion
Routine - Methodical and sturdy, resistant to change
Temperament - Thoughtful, forgiving, sweet, patient, loving, content, slow-moving
Conversation Style - Simple and profound
Shopping Style - Saves
Stress Response - I don’t want to deal with it! Withdrawn

For kapha imbalance (sluggish, unmotivated, stubbornly resisting change) bhastrika pranayama or some Astanga sun salutations might get you out of your funk and moving again. Take a brisk walk (if you walk regularly, speed it up), call someone for a chat, watch your favourite funny film, play your favourite music and sing. You need to be inspired again, let something relight your spark.

DOSHA COMBINATIONS
We all are made up of all three doshas, so will have all characteristics to some degree.
Often two doshas are almost equally dominant:

Vata/Pitta: With this combination of vata and pitta doshas, you will hopefully have the best of both worlds - vata’s quick wit and love of change, combined with pitta’s stamina, intelligence and leadership abilities. You are fun-loving and enthusiastic, with a quick mind and good communication skills. Physically, you are likely to be athletic with a good metabolism. However, you may also experience some of the less desirable characteristic of each dosha, such as vata’s tendency to anxiety and restlessness and irritability and impatience from pitta.

Vata/Kapha: With this combination of doshas you are an interesting personality, always surprising others. The opposing elements of the air of vata and the earth and water of kapha show themselves in complex physical and emotional traits. People with a vata-kapha mind-body type are very sociable, popular and communicative. The vata part is open, curious and loves conversation, while kapha is very caring, social and welcoming. The ideal mix for an exciting conversation and good friendship.

Pitta/Kapha: This combination of doshas is a powerful mind-body type. The body is sturdy and well-built, your immune system robust and stamina in all day-to-day activities is excellent. With a seemingly endless supply of energy, you pursue your goals relentlessly and can be stopped by almost nothing.

I hope you have fun with this and that it might inform the practices you choose and also help you to be kinder to yourself. If you are angry, don’t worry, it’s just your pitta out of balance. If you can’t get motivated, no problem, it’s simply too much kapha and there is a way to release it. If you are going crazy with thinking too many thoughts, well that’s your vata going wild, you can ground, calm and breathe yourself back towards balance.

Your are whole human and whole humans feels all of these things. They are not faults, but naturally arising feelings and responses that you can welcome and work with.

Sarah x