Doshas demystified - Why should I know what my dosha is?

What does your dosha tell you?

According to Ayurveda, your Dosha is the unique combination of the five elements; i.e. earth, water, fire, air and space that make up your constitution. Your Dosha is determined at the time of conception and is the essential force behind an individual’s physical, mental and emotional makeup.  For an introduction into Ayurveda, hop on over to our Ayurveda Simplified blog series to learn the basics.

The three doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha and they each have their own characteristics when in balance and out of balance. 

Each person has a unique proportion of the three doshas which makes up their constitution (prakriti). The ratio in which these Doshas are dominant in your body influences your physical and mental characteristics, and also determines your susceptibility to certain diseases and health conditions. 

Vata is associated with movement, Pitta with metabolism and transformation; and Kapha with structure and stability. Balance of the doshas is essential for overall mental and physical wellbeing. However, imbalances in the doshas are thought to cause various health problems. Ayurveda focuses on restoring balance to the ratio of the doshas to prevent poor health. The ultimate goal would be to achieve a Tridoshic state – one in which all Doshas are present in equal proportions.

Ayurveda teaches us that if a dosha increases beyond its original and natural proportion it fosters an environment where imbalance can flourish.

It is common for our predominant dosha to increase quicker than other doshas because we tend to perpetuate what we know best.

Don’t know your dosha yet? Take our dosha quiz to find out. 

Discover more about why its valuable to be a vibrant vata; phenomenal to be a passionate pita and coveted to be a caring kapha in this Doshas Demystified blog series.  

Your dosha constitution can provide insights into your natural tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, and potential health risks. By understanding your dosha, you can make lifestyle choices that promote balance and prevent imbalances from occurring. Which of the below do you identify with? 

If, for example, you have a vata-predominant constitution, you may be naturally creative, enthusiastic and inclined towards a life filled with activity, due to the mobile quality of vata. However if you are too active, you could aggravate vata and may be prone to anxiety, dry skin and digestive issues. By making choices that balance vata, such as eating warm, nourishing foods, practicing regular self-care, and maintaining a consistent routine, you can help prevent imbalances and promote overall health and wellbeing.

Similarly, if you have a pitta-predominant constitution, you may naturally be focused, goal-oriented, and passionate, however if Pitta is accumulated you may also be prone to anger, inflammation, and digestive problems. By making choices that balance Pitta, such as engaging in calming activities like yoga and meditation, avoiding spicy or acidic foods, and prioritising relaxation, you can help maintain balance and prevent imbalances from occurring.

Maybe, you have a Kapha-predominant constitution and naturally embody qualities such as groundedness, stability, and nurturance but you may have tendencies towards sluggishness, weight gain, and lethargy, when kapha is aggravated. By incorporating practices that invigorate and stimulate, such as regular exercise, embracing new experiences, and consuming lighter and warmer foods, you can maintain a healthy balance and prevent any imbalances from manifesting.

Ultimately, understanding your dosha can provide a framework for making choices that promote balance, health, and wellbeing, but it’s important to remember that every individual is unique, and there is no one size fits all approach to health and wellness.