Ayurveda Doshas and their Impact on Our Well-being

Ayurveda Doshas and their Impact on Our Well-being

What is Dosha in Ayurveda?

Dosha means the body type. Each and every person has a unique body type and his/her psychology and body functionality depend upon it. How the person behaves and how he/she physically reacts to something, are also decided by Dosha.

The field of Ayurveda signifies that there are three Doshas in a human being. The human body is made up of 5 elements, called air, water, earth, fire, and ether (space). The behaviour and health of every human being depends upon the proportion of Doshas present in his/her body. That is why everyone is different physically as well as mentally. Also, these Doshas decide his/her susceptibility to certain diseases.

Types of Doshas in Ayurveda:

The three Ayurveda Doshas are known as Vata, Pitta, & Kapha. Each Dosha has its own features and their proper balancing is required for a physically and mentally balanced person. If Doshas get imbalanced, then it can result in various mental and health problems. In Ayurveda, each person is medically treated according to the presence of Doshas in his/her body. These Doshas have been detailed below:

• Vata Dosha:

What is Vata Dosha?

Vata Dosha is present in the lower part of abdomen i.e. below the navel, and represents the elements of ether (space) and air. It controls the mental and physical movements. It regulates the breathing pattern, blood circulation in the body, muscular movement, waste elimination, hunger pangs, passing of urine, health of the heart, and working of the nervous system. 

Characteristics of Vata Body Type: 

If the person has Vata Dosha in dominance then his/her body type comes under the category of Vata Body type. Vata body kind of persons possesses the following characteristics:

• They are physically slim.
• They are energetic.
• They have great creative skills and amazing thinking capabilities.
• They can learn things quite quickly.
• They can perform multiple tasks at a time.
• They are kind-hearted and adjusting.
• They are very much emotional and may suffer from anxiety and depression because of being too much emotional.
• They have sensitivity to cold weather.
• They have mood swings that may be triggered by weather and even food.
• They may suffer from digestion issues.
• They may go through blood circulation problems.
• They may suffer from sleep disorders.

Exercises that are Suitable for People with Vata Body Type:

As Vata Dosha is related to movement, the people with Vata body type must go for those exercises that involve physical activity, like running, dancing, swimming, cycling, aerobics, etc.

• Pitta Dosha:

What is Pitta Dosha?

Pitta Dosha is present in the abdominal area above the navel and is related to the elements of water and fire. It is responsible for metabolism, digestion, skin, body temperature, body transformations, and hormonal balance.

Characteristics of Pitta Body Type:

If the person has Pitta Dosha in dominance then his/her body type comes under the category of Pitta Body type. Pitta body kind of persons possesses the following characteristics:

• They have good body shape and athletic physique.
• They possess leadership qualities.
• They have aggression in nature.
• They are determined to achieve their goals.
• They are intelligent and learn things quickly.
• Their metabolism system and circulatory system are good.
• They have beautiful skin and hair.
• They are impatient.
• Because of their aggressive attitude, they fall into conflicts easily.
• They suffer from mood swings and hunger pangs.
• They have sensitivity to hot weather conditions.

Exercises that are Suitable for People with Pitta Body Type:

As Pitta Dosa is related to body temperature, people with Pitta body types need to do exercises that do not generate much body heat. They can do any exercise but should not overdo it otherwise excessive body heat will be generated and this will not be good for them. Moreover, they must do exercises only when the weather is cool. They also indulge themselves in team sports. They must go for a massage as it will lower the body temperature.

• Kapha Dosha:

What is Kapha Dosha?

Kapha Dosha is present in the chest area and is related to the elements of water and earth. It is responsible for the energy, vitality, stability, strength, and immunity of the body. It is also related to the hydration of the skin and lubrication of the joints.

Characteristics of Kapha Body Type:

If the person has Kapha Dosha in dominance then his/her body type comes under the category of Kapha Body type. Kapha body kind of persons possesses the following characteristics:

• They are down to earth and humble in nature.
• They have a balanced and stable body.
• They have a caring heart.
• They are supportive and empathetic in nature.
• They trust easily.
• They are calm, composed, and patient.
• They act wisely and maturely.
• They are happy-go-lucky kind of people.
• Their bones and joints are quite strong.
• They have good immunity systems and seldom suffer from common diseases.
• Their metabolism system is quite slow.
• They gain weight easily.
• They tend to sleep more.
• They may suffer from respiratory issues.
• They do not have strong hearts and may suffer from heart problems.
• They use to suffer from depression issues.
• They are in need of constant motivation as they tend to give up easily.

Exercises that are Suitable for People with Kapha Body Type:

The people with the Kapha body type do not possess an interest in doing exercise. So, they need someone who can motivate them for this. Cardio and breathing exercises prove to be quite beneficial for them.

What Happens When Doshas Become Imbalanced?

There is a body type called Tridoshic type, where all three Doshas are perfectly balanced. But having such a kind of body is definitely a dream and blessed is the person who has such body type. As each Dosha plays its role in the body, if any one of them becomes faulty, the body starts to suffer. 

Doshas become imbalanced because of bad eating habits, bad lifestyle, stress issues, etc. 

Imbalancing of Vata Dosha causes metabolism-related issues. The body starts to feel weak. The person faces difficulty in speaking and goes through a confused state of mind.

Imbalancing of Pitta Dosha badly affects the organs and can cause inflammation in them. The person develops digestion issues. He can suffer from urine, stool, and skin-related problems. He/she starts to have negative thoughts and his/her outlook towards life also becomes negative.

Imbalancing of Kapha Dosha can cause stagnation of the mind as it affects the body tissues. The person tends to sleep more and has breathing problems. The person becomes stubborn in nature.

How to Keep Doshas Balanced?

Each Dosha needs a separate kind of treatment to be correct. For Vata Dosha, the person needs to be comforted on the emotional side. He/she should take soft and warm food that has a good spicy taste. For Pitta Dosha, the person needs to stay in a calm and relaxed environment. He/she should take light food. For Kapha Dosha, the person starts to have an active lifestyle. He/she should take spicy and acidic food items.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, Vata, Pitta, & Kapha Doshas are of extreme importance, and learn to be friends with them. If they are happy, then you will also be happy and healthy.