elements & body types (doshas)
from the combination
of the 5 elements: ether (space), air, fire, water and
earth, come the 3 body types or doshas, which means
"that which changes". the three main doshas
in ayurveda are vata, pitta and kapha.
VATA is Air and Ether,
Vata force means “that which
moves things”. It is the driving force
behind the other two Doshas, which are "lame",
incapable of movement without it. Vata force is made
of the wind which encompasses in the Ether Air cannot
move without space and empty space has air in it always.
It resides in the empty spaces in the body and fills
up the subtle channels. The wind in nature means movement,
Vata force is movement. In the body Vata represents
the force that carries nerves impulses, nutrients, food,
blood, lymph, waste matters, excretion, inhalation,
exhalation, generation of thoughts. Vata is located
in the colon, thighs, hips, ears, bones, and organ of
touch. Its primary site is the colon. Vata is responsible
for all physical processes in general. For this reason
disturbances in Vata have more severe implications than
the other 2 Doshas. Vata imbalances examples are emaciation,
debility, laking of warmth, tremors, distention and
constipation, as well as insomnia, sensory disorientation,
incoherent speech, dizziness, confusion, depression,
nerve loss, congestion, constipation and thoughtlessness.
Vata has all the attributes of the elements that form
it: dry, light, cold, rough, subtle and agitated. Vata
is the biological air humor, also translated as wind.
It means "that which moves things" Vata dosha
is the motivating force behind the other two doshas,
which are "lame", incapable of movement without
it. It governs sensory and mental balance and orientation,
and promotes mental adaptability and comprehension.
It resides in the empty spaces of the body and fills
up the subtle channels between the tissues.
PITTA is Fire and Water.
Pitta force means “that
which transforms”. Pitta is the Fire force.
Fire in nature in its raw state destroys but at the
same time transforms with its destruction. In order
for Fire to transform and create in the body, it is
present in Water as acids, enzymes and hormones. In
the mind, Pitta force is the capacity to understand
and digest our thoughts. Pitta governs digestion, heat,
visual perception, hunger, thirst, luster, complexion,
understanding, intelligence, courage and softness of
the body. Pitta imbalances cause yellow color of stool,
urine, eyes and skin, as well as hunger, thirst, burning
sensation, difficulty sleeping, indigestion, gastritis,
ulcers, diarrhea (because of a poor absorbtion in the
small intestine), inability to understand and sluggish
metabolism. High Pitta results in the accumulation of
internal heat or fever, with inflammation and infections.
We literally begin to burn ourselves up. Pitta is located
in the small intestine, stomach, sweat, sebaceous glands,
blood, lymph, and the organ of vision. Its primary site
is the small intestine. Characteristics of Pitta: is
a little oily, sharp, hot, subtle, light, unpleasant
in odor, mobile and liquid.
KAPHA is Water and Earth.
Kapha force means “that
which holds things together or phlegm”.
Kapha is structure and lubrication. Kapha is Water contained
in Earth to create mucus, muscle, tissue, cells, and
fluids. Our physical composition is mainly water contained
within the boundaries of our skin and mucus membranes
(earth). Kapha is the stirring force that maintains
the balance between the Water and the Earth elements.
Kapha also provides our emotional support in life, and
relates to positive emotional traits like love, compassion,
modesty, patience and forgiveness. Kapha gives stability,
lubrication, and holding together of the joints and
such qualities as patience. Kapha imbalances cause depression
of the digestive fire, nausea, lethargy, heaviness,
white color, chills, looseness of the limbs, cough,
difficult breathing, excessive sleeping, dry respiratory
track, burning stomach (due to lack of mucous, which
gives protection from excess stomach acids) and inability
to understand and concentrate. High Kapha results in
the accumulation of weight and gravity in the body,
which inhibits normal function and causes hypoactivity
(slow) through excess tissue accumulation. Kapha is
located in the chest, throat, head, pancreas, sides,
stomach, lymph, fat, nose and tongue. Its primary site
is the stomach. Characteristics of Kapha: wet, cold,
heavy, dull, sticky, soft, firm, oily, stable, dense
and smooth.
An easy way of understanding
Ayurveda in using the characteristics of each Dosha,
and the two Universal Laws: -Same increases and -Opposites
balance. For example: Heat increases heat, whereas cold
and heat balance each other. This is what Ayurveda is
all about in a very large perspective.
The combination
of these Doshas give the different body types, all of
them have different physical, mental and spiritual characteristics.
VATA, PITTA, KAPHA, VATA-PITTA, PITTA-VATA, VATA-KAPHA,
KAPHA-VATA, PITTA-KAPHA, KAPHA-PITTA and Tridoshic which
includes all the doshas in same amount.
Learn what your body type is with an Ayurvedic
Consultation, click here.
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