An Introduction to Vata, Pitta & Kapha

Doshas are the underlying concepts that control the essence, transformation, and structure of the physical universe, and they are known as vata, pitta, and kapha in Ayurveda.

Each dosha is made up of two of the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth), and the combination of these elements defines the doshas' characteristics and, eventually, their overall impact in nature. 

Every entity in the natural world is made up of the elements of vata, pitta, and kapha, and its uniqueness and differentiation from other objects is determined by the relative proportions of each dosha or part.

Vata is made up of air and space elements and has the qualities of light, subtlety, movement, cold, dryness, hardness, and roughness. Vata controls mental and physical movement. Pitta is made up of the elements fire and water, and it has hot, acidic, sour, and sharp qualities.

Pitta regulates mental and physical transformations, such as the digestion, assimilation, and metabolism of food and water into energy, as well as the digestion and assimilation of thoughts and ideas into behaviour. Kapha is made up of earth and water elements and has the qualities of being strong, cold, sluggish, binding, sticky, and smooth. Kapha is in control of our body's density and structure.

A individual with a Vata dosha predominance in their constitution walks faster, has a lighter build, and has cooler, dryer skin than anyone with a Pitta or Kapha dosha predominance in their constitution.

Vata people are also known for their fast, agile minds and their ability to be very creative. They can experience restlessness, boredom, fear, stress, and anxiety if their constitution becomes out of balance due to excessive movement or irregularity. Bad circulation, cold hands and feet, constipation, and dry skin are all symptoms of this.

A individual with a higher Pitta level in their constitution has a hotter, more fiery, and more dynamic personality. They have a lot of potential, high expectations, sharp minds, and excellent leadership skills. However, if they lose their equilibrium and their inherent "fire" becomes too powerful, they may become irritable, stressed, and irritated.They have a healthy digestive fire and immune system in general, but if they lose their equilibrium, they can develop rashes, ulcers, acid stomachs, and heart problems. A individual with a Kapha constitution is slower, heavier, calmer, and more grounded than anyone with a Pitta or Vata constitution. They have big, sturdy bodies, but when they are out of balance, they can gain weight and become tired.

We will keep the doshas in balance in our own bodies and thus remain balanced, happy, and free of disease if we recognise the qualities inherent in the elements that combine to make up the three doshas. Any accumulation of any of the qualities present in our doshic make-up will aggravate that dosha and cause imbalance. To lower one quality, we must raise the opposite quality. As a result, if we have a Vata body type and we get too cold or are exposed to noisy, busy conditions with too much movement, we can become unbalanced and un-grounded.

We will quickly return to a grounded, more balanced state if we instantly add the opposite qualities of warmth, calmness, and quietness. Similarly, a Pitta individual with a predominance of heat will be brought back into balance by the opposing quality of coldness. The opposing quality of lightness will balance a Kaphaperson who has a predominance of heaviness.