Dosha is one of the fundamental concepts of the Ayurvedic system of medicine.1 Knowing your dominant dosha can help you regain the harmony of your body, mind and spirit. By observing and identifying the imbalances and then making lifestyle changes and adjustments can help you regain balance and achieve holistic health.
As per Ayurveda, these three doshas or life forces affect your health, mood and energy. By determining your dominant dosha, you can gain insights into your unique needs and make lifestyle and dietary choices that support your overall well-being.
Determining your Dominant Dosha
Determining your dominant dosha, whether Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, involves assessing various physical, mental, and emotional characteristics.2 Here are some general indicators for each dosha:
Vata Dosha in Ayurveda
Vata literally means to move like wind. According to Ayurveda, vata dosha is the mind-body energy associated with the elements air and space.
This dosha governs movement and is dry, light and cold. It is often associated with unpredictability, impulsiveness and agility.
It is mentioned in Ayurveda that vata is prime mover or the most important of the three doshas. It is associated with the movement in an individual’s body and more importantly flow other two life forces, pitta and kapha, which can’t move without vata.
How to Identify if your Dominant Dosha is Vata
Physical characteristics: Thin frame, dry skin, cold hands and feet, irregular digestion, tendency towards constipation, light sleeper.
Mental and emotional traits: Creative, enthusiastic, quick thinking, prone to anxiety, fear, and worry, fluctuating moods.
Pitta Dosha in Ayurveda
The elements associated with Pitta dosha in Ayurveda are fire and water. The fire element in our body manifests itself through metabolism (digestion) when food is broken down and converted into energy (Agni) in our stomach and intestines.
According to Ayurveda, pitta controls digestion, metabolism and chemical transformations in our body. Pitta also controls our sensory perceptions (seeing, hearing, smell etc.).
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Pitta is also responsible for our body’s ability to maintain and absorb warmth, and our ability to perceive and process thoughts and emotions mentally.
How to Identify if your Dominant Dosha is Pitta
- Physical characteristics: Medium build, warm body temperature, thirst, hunger, soft and oily skin, strong digestion, tendency towards heartburn or acidity.
- Mental and emotional traits: Intelligent, focused, understanding, visually perceptive, ambitious, can be competitive or perfectionistic, prone to anger or irritability.
Kapha Dosha in Ayurveda
Kapha is the mind-body element in our body associated with water and earth. Kapha literally means “that which binds” or “hold things together” (‘jal’ and (prithvi’).
As per ayurveda, kapha energy is moist, cool, calm, and structured. Kapha provides structure, vigor and strength to our body and gives us cohesiveness. It lubricates/hydrates our cells, joints and skin, gives us immunity and protects our tissues.
How to Identify if your Dominant Dosha is Kapha
- Physical characteristics: Sturdy build, tendency towards weight gain, smooth and radiant skin, thick hair, natural elegance and sensuality, slow digestion, lethargic, good stamina.
- Mental and emotional traits: Calm, patient, compassionate, can be lethargic or resistant to change, prone to possessiveness or attachment.
Dosha refers to a bodily humor (or bio-energy center) in Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurveda, life force manifests as three different doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha – that can affect your health, energy, and mood.2 Knowing your dosha can help you live a healthier, more balanced life.
By making lifestyle changes like your eating habits and doing regular exercise or workouts can help you balance the elements of the dosha which are disproportionate. Balancing doshas can help you increase vitality, energy, mood, and physical and mental wellness.
Citations & References
1. Jaiswal YS, Williams LL. A glimpse of Ayurveda – The forgotten history and principles of Indian traditional medicine. J Tradit Complement Med. 2016 Feb 28;7(1):50-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.02.002. PMID: 28053888; PMCID: PMC5198827.
2. Travis FT, Wallace RK. Dosha brain-types: A neural model of individual differences. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 Oct-Dec;6(4):280-5. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.172385. PMID: 26834428; PMCID: PMC4719489.
A digital marketer and content crafter by profession and a keen traveler, amateur photographer, avid reader and ayurveda enthusiast by passion, Nikhil Chandra applies his educational qualification and professional experience to write on a range of topics that includes wander wisdom, ayurvedic health and wellness tips and search marketing.