Ayurveda identifies three basic types of energy or functional principles that are present in everyone and everything. Since there are no single words in English that convey these concepts, we use the original Sanskrit words vata, pitta and kapha. These principles can be related to the basic biology of the body.
Energy is required to create movement so that fluids and nutrients get to the cells, enabling the body to function. Energy is also required to metabolize the nutrients in the cells, and is called for to lubricate and maintain the structure of the cell. Vata is the energy of movement; pitta is the energy of digestion or metabolism and kapha, the energy of lubrication and structure. All people have the qualities of vata, pitta and kapha, but one is usually primary, one secondary and the third is usually least prominent. The cause of disease in Ayurveda is viewed as a lack of proper cellular function due to an excess or deficiency of vata, pitta or kapha. Disease can also be caused by the presence of toxins.
In Ayurveda, body, mind and consciousness work together in maintaining balance. They are simply viewed as different facets of one’s being. To learn how to balance the body, mind and consciousness requires an understanding of how vata, pitta and kapha work together. According to Ayurvedic philosophy the entire cosmos is an interplay of the energies of the five great elements—Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Vata, pitta and kapha are combinations and permutations of these five elements that manifest as patterns present in all creation. In the physical body, vata is the subtle energy of movement, pitta the energy of digestion and metabolism, and kapha the energy that forms the body’s structure.
Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement — composed of Space and Air. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes. In balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety.
Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system — made up of Fire and Water. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy.
Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure — bones, muscles, tendons — and provides the “glue” that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy.
Life presents us with many challenges and opportunities. Although there is much over which we have little control, we do have the power to decide about some things, such as diet and lifestyle. To maintain balance and health, it is important to pay attention to these decisions. Diet and lifestyle appropriate to one’s individual constitution strengthen the body, mind and consciousness.
Take this dosha quiz and discover which constitution type is more dominant in you according to ayurveda and which nutrition tips are more beneficial for you. This test is an orientation.
BODY COMPOSITION
A. slim
B. moderate
C. robust
SIZE
A. Very tall or very small
B. Medium
C. Generally small, but can be tall and big
WEIGHT
A Difficulty to gain weight
B Medium, they can gain or lose weight easily
C Generally overweight, difficulty losing it
SKIN
A Dry, rough, cold, prominent veins
B Hot, freckles, acne
C Thick, cold, oily
BODY TEMPERATURE
A Cold hands and feet
B warm
C cold or normal
HAIR
A Dry, fine, frizzy
B Oily, premature baldness, gray hair
C Strong, wavy, shiny
FOREHEAD
A narrow
B Moderate, furrows
C wide
EYES
A Small, nervous
B penetrating, easily irritated
C big with big eyelashes
TEETH
A Irregular small, malformed
B medium-sized, gums bleed easily
C Large, well-formed
TONGUE
A rough
B soft, pink
C thick
FACE
A Small, wrinkled, dry
B Delicate, reddish, sharp profile
C Large, soft profile
BONES
A Thin, Cracking joints
B Medium, loose joints
C Thick, strong joints
NAILS
A Brittle, rough
B Soft, pink
C Wide, strong
APPETITE
A changing, nervous
B high, irritable if hungry
C Moderate but constant
THIRST
A Scarce
B generally thirsty
C Moderate
BOWELS
A Hard, dry stools
B Soft, loose stools, tendency to diarrhea
C Regular, normal stools
URINE
A scarce
B Abundant, intense yellow
C Moderate, clear
SWEATING
A Scarce without odor
B Deep, intense smell
C Moderate
SLEEP
A Light, with interruptions
B Changeable
C deep, excessive
SEXUALITY
A Variable sexual interest, active sexual fantasy
B high sexual interest and impulse
C constant sexual interest and impulse
MEMORY
A Fast, tendency to forget
B Sharp, clear
C slow but steady
GRASP
A Spontaneous
B Average
C Requires time to understand
MOOD
A changeable mood and ideas
B Intense when expressing ideas and feelings
C Stable, reliable, slow to change ideas
WEATHER PREFERENCES
A Hot climates, sun, humidity
B Cool climates, well ventilated
C Any weather provided it is not humid
ACTIVITY
A restless
B Moderate
C they move slowly
POSITIVE EMOTIONS
A Adaptability
B courage
C friendly
NEGATIVE EMOTIONS
A Fear
B Anger
C Attachment
STRESS REACTION
A Fear and anxiety under stress
B frustration, irritability, anger under stress
C they manage stress well
RESISTANCE TO THE DISEASE
A Poor, variable immune system
B Medium, tendency to infections
C Good, stable, strong immune system
FREQUENT DISEASES
A Nervous and mental disorders, neuralgic and joint pains
B Infectious and inflammatory diseases, blood disorders
C Systemic and respiratory diseases, edema, mucus, joint inflammation
Three possible results are below:
1. VATA
Body features: thin, fine hair, fingers, and joints, cold skin
Physiology: irregular appetite and thirst, weak digestion, tendency to constipation, little sweat
Biochemistry: thin body mass, little waste
Psychology: acts fast, speaks fast, fearful, excited, captures things quickly, forgetful
Weak points: nervous system, locomotor system
Nutrition tips on dosha: Vata
Flavors: sweet, salty, slightly spicy and sour
Meals easy to digest
At least 3 meals a day
Raw food, only in small portions and at noon
Legumes only well cooked and in small quantities
2. PITTA
Body features: normal size, thin warm skin, with freckles
Physiology: great appetite and thirst, enough sweat and odor, strong digestion, tendency to diarrhea
Biochemistry: average body mass, normal waste
Psychology: good memory, little tolerance, adventurous, passionate
Weakness points: stomach, skin and heart
Nutrition tips for dosha: Pitta
Flavors: sweet, bitter and astringent
Cold meals
They can take heavy meals
They must give up coffee, alcohol, spicy, acidic and salty foods
3. KAPHA
Result Image
Body features : large features, cold, fat and thick skin
Physiology: low appetite and thirst, slow digestion, non-odorous sweat, regular and well-formed stools
Biochemistry: thick complexion, many body fluids
Psychology: good long-term memory, slow, good mental stability and self-esteem
Weakness points: respiratory and lymphatic system, lack of appetite, and weak digestion
Nutrition tips for dosha:Kapha
Flavors: spicy, bitter, astringent
Hot meals
Food that is not too fat or sweet
Small portions are advised
Dairy products are discouraged
Dried fruits are not recommended because they produce mucus
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