Doshas - Vata, Pitta, Kapha

We all have a place of balance, our basic nature or constitution, which in Ayurveda is called Prakriti.  It is determined at the time of conception.  And by knowing your prakriti, obtaining perfect health is possible.  By knowing your dosha or body type, an Ayurvedic practitioner can tell which diet, herbal preparations, lifestyle changes, massages, yoga asanas and other Ayurvedic medical therapies can help you.  These three primary life forces - Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the doshas that bind the five elements down into a living flesh.

Vata, pitta and kapha are the fundamental principles governing the physiological process.  When imbalanced, they afflict the body of imbalances.  They act as basic constituents and protective barriers for the body in its normal physiological condition.  And when out of balance, they contribute to disease.

• Vata means wind or "that which moves things"
• It represents the force that governs biological activity
• The functions are transformation, movement and communication
• Main location for Vata is the colon

(Photo credit - http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fulminant-colitis.htm)

• Pitta means fire or "that which digests things" 
• It represents the fire that digests all activity and experiences 
• The functions are digestion, metabolism and transformation
• The main location for Pitta is the stomach

(Photo credit - http://articletube.blogspot.com/2012/06/stomach-three-misunderstanding-patients.html)

• Kapha means phlegm or "that which holds things together"
• It represents the physical and emotional home in which we reside
• The functions are structure, cohesion and lubrication
• The main location for Kapha is the chest

(Photo credit - http://thoracicsurgery.stanford.edu/patient_care/malignant_pleural_mesothelioma.html)



Every cell in the body contains all these three principles.  Every ones body has to have Vata, or movement which allows you to breathe and circulate blood.   We have to have Pitta, digestion or metabolism which processes food, air and water throughout our system.  And kapha which is structure and which aids to hold the cells together.  This is how nature created us and to know your body type is essential to understand yourself.

Samadoshah samagnish ca

Samadhatumalakriyah

Prasannatmendriyamanah svastha ity

Abhidhiyate

He whose dosha are in balance, whose appetite is good, whose dhatus are functioning normally, whose malas are in balance, and whose consciousness, mind and senses remain full of bliss,

 is called a healthy person.

Sushruta Sutrasthan 15.38