Tri-Dosha Theory
Each dosha is born out of the combination of two of the elements. They are the three forces of energy that exist within our bodies and our outer environment.
Each dosha is characterized by different qualities from the list of twenty qualities or gunas. As each of the qualities attached to the dosha are its innate nature, balancing each dosha requires using the opposite qualities to those of which are attributed to them. Like increases like, and opposites decrease each other.
Every person has within them all three doshas, however, most people have an abundance of one or two of them which constitutes a person’s prakruti, or constitution. The ratio of each dosha within a person determines their prakruti and each person’s prakruti is unique to them. It governs psycho-physiological functions, expressing a person’s physical attributes, personality, and emotional tendencies. Each dosha has the ability to create different kinds of imbalances and diseases when out of balance. When someone has more of one or two doshas within their prakruti, they are more prone to those kinds of imbalances or diseases. For example, someone with pitta predominance in their prakruti will be prone to pitta type ailments such as acid reflux or inflammation. However, it is important to take note that anyone can develop imbalances in any of the doshas even if that dosha is not predominant in their prakruti.
Doshas fluctuate all the time depending on someone’s diet, lifestyle, age, the season, job, outer environment, and more. When doshas are out of balance it is called vikruti or their current condition. In Ayurveda we manage any imbalances and bring the body and mind back to prakruti (back into balance).
Although Ayurveda can manage imbalances in the doshas, learning the right diet and lifestyle for your particular ratio of doshas and how to manage their fluctuations according to the seasons and other internal or external factors is important in preventing imbalances and ailments. For this reason, you do not necessarily need to have an imbalance or ailment to seek out Ayurveda as Ayurveda stresses the importance of prevention. Along with managing an imbalance, an Ayurvedic practitioner will help with prevention and maintaining balance and strength. See below for a brief overview of each of the doshas as they relate to a person's psycho-physiological attributes.
Vāta
Vata is the energy of movement. It governs bodily movements, communication, and the nervous system.
Formed of ether and air, vata types tend to have small body frames and with low body weight, dry skin, dry hair, dry nails, and small features. The ether element renders them highly creative and intuitive. The mobile qualities of the air element, also known as the wind (which is always in motion), tends to make them be always on the go, makes them restless, sometimes hyperactive, and makes them walk fast, talk fast, and think fast. Slowing down and routine is usually the best thing for them. They are very enthusiastic, social, learn fast and forget fast. They run cold and prefer hot, humid environments.
Some of vata’s imbalances include, but are not limited to, irregular digestive patterns, constipation, dry skin, nervous system imbalances, anxiety, and insomnia.
Vata’s qualities: cold, dry, light, subtle, rough, mobile, clear.
Pitta
Pitta is the energy of transformation. It governs digestion, metabolic processes, and heat regulation.
The fire element within pitta types gives them high body heat, usually meaning they run pretty hot most of the time, and prefer cooler environments. It also gives them a fiery side which can give them a short temper. They have a strong appetite and are often the people that get 'hangry' when hungry. Their body build is medium, and often of an athletic nature. They tend to have a reddish complexion, fine hair, and a piercing gaze. They are highly intelligent, organized, and focused. They like to be active and enjoy practicing various sports. They make great leaders, though have a propensity to be workaholics, and like to be in control. Letting go of control is pretty key for balancing pitta types. They have a sharp memory, love learning and very detail orientated.
Out of balance pitta can manifest as inflammation, acid reflux, sharp digestion, infections, blood disorders, anger, and more.
Pitta’s qualities: hot, sharp, light, oily, spreading, liquid.
Kapha
Kapha is the energy of structure and lubrication. It is responsible for growth, maintaining stability in the musculoskeletal system and providing lubrication to the joints, connective tissue, and muscles.
Kapha’s predominance in the earth element make kapha types strong, and give them a slightly bigger body frame. They tend to have big eyes, thick wavy hair, a pale complexion, are often curvy and voluptuous, with strong bones and strong muscles. The unctuous (oily) quality of kapha gives them oily skin which is also thick and smooth. Kapha types tend to run cool, preferring warm, dry environments. They are calm, loving, caring, level headed, and grounded. They learn slowly but remember forever. They move slowly, talk slowly, enjoy routine, and can often have an inclination towards laziness, and attachment. Kapha’s need invigoration and benefit from increased activity, taking action, and spontaneity.
Imbalanced kapha is expressed through colds, coughs, congestion, slow digestion, seasonal allergies, asthma, mucus build up, obesity, diabetes, and depression, among other things.
Kapha’s qualities: heavy, cool, unctuous (oily), stable, slow, gross, dense, soft, cloudy (sticky), smooth.
Every dosha has beautiful qualities to them, and we need all three to function fully. More importantly, we need all three to be working in harmony with each other for the best health results.
Learning what your prakruti is, i.e. the ratio of each dosha within you, is helpful to better understand what diet and lifestyle work best for you in order for you to feel your best, and to prevent imbalances. While there are many dosha quizzes available online to find out your prakruti, I advise to not get too caught up in the results or take them to be the whole truth. Online dosha quizzes may leave you more confused than you were in the first place. Prakruti, or constitution is a person’s innate nature and vikruti, or current imbalances can mask it, leaving you to answer dosha quizzes incorrectly, leading to incorrect results. Sometimes people have been experiencing an imbalance for so long that they are no longer aware that it is not their true nature.
The interplay between prakruti and vikruti can be complex, and oh so different in everyone, so for the most accurate assessments, and recommendations on changing your diet and lifestyle, or correcting an imbalance, in a safe, proper, manageable way, it is always best to seek out an Ayurvedic professional.
“Knowledge of constitution is the key for holistic and integral health care, the true basis of any preventative medicine.”
– Dr Vasant Lad