VATA – PITTA – KAPHA
These are the key principles whose combination gives rise to the formation of the universe and the constitution of each individual. The term “Dosha” comes from the root “Dushanat,” which literally means impurity; however, this term should not be understood negatively, as the Doshas, or metabolic principles, give life to the psychosomatic structure of a person. Within the three Doshas, the five elements, or MAHABUTA (space – air – fire – water – earth), manifest. The balance of the Doshas creates harmony and good health, while an imbalance leads to disorders, eventually resulting in disease, and is the first sign of a lack of harmony between body and mind.

GUNA
Everything in nature (substances, thoughts, actions) has qualities or attributes called Gunas. These act according to the law of similarity or dissimilarity (like increases like, and unlike decreases it). Every individual is born with a unique constitution based on the different combinations of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and the proportion of Doshas varies within physiology. Constitutions can be monodosha, where one Dosha predominates, bidoshic, where two Doshas are dominant, and tridoshic, where all Doshas are represented. It is very important to know your constitution because each person, based on it, has a certain predisposition toward specific illnesses, and therefore, specific treatments will be beneficial.

The main Gunas are 20:

• Light / Heavy
• Sticky / Clean
• Cold / Hot
• Oily / Dry
• Slow / Fast
• Stable / Mobile
• Soft / Hard
• Rough / Smooth
• Gross / Subtle
• Solid / Liquid

A person’s constitution (Prakriti) is decided at the meeting between the ovum and sperm and is determined by four factors:

1. Paternal factor
2. Maternal factor
3. Condition of the uterus and the season
4. Maternal diet

A person may be born with a certain condition, but errors in lifestyle can aggravate their Doshas to the point of assuming the characteristics of another constitution. However, with good lifestyle advice and Ayurvedic preparations, they can restore and find their basic constitution, thereby preventing disease.

VATA
Vata is composed of air and space, literally meaning “that which moves.” The primary seat of Vata in the body is the large intestine (colon) and generally the region of the body below the navel. It is cold, dry, mobile, fast, thin, rough, and light. Vata is responsible for all activities and what we feel because it controls impulses along the nerves, breathing, intestinal movements, circulation, walking, and excretion.

Vata governs the movement of the universe. When balanced, it supports the entire body, brings joy and enthusiasm, stimulates digestive fire, eliminates waste products, shapes the embryo, and is responsible for the continuation of life. When imbalanced, it causes high tides and floods, earthquakes, thunderstorms, seasonal confusion, and irregular crops.

The Vata type has a thin and light physique, is slim with generally dry and rough skin, has thin and fragile hair, protruding veins and tendons, cold extremities, small brown or black eyes, and is quick to eat, work, and walk. However, they have low stamina, tend to constipation, are restless, indecisive, anxious, prone to worry, spendthrift, with poor concentration ability, fickle, with light or insomnia. They are easily excited but often change their mind, intuitive, original, never stay still, and talk a lot.

For Vata individuals, creative activities that do not involve taking on heavy responsibilities are advisable because emotional and tense states can cause poor digestion, irritability, and fatigue. Fatigue plays a crucial role for Vata as it is a very fragile constitution with a tendency toward easy imbalance, although they recover very quickly with good rest and an adequate routine. Given the dryness of their skin, they benefit from massages with sesame oil, which have a relaxing effect, and should follow a diet containing sour, salty, and sweet tastes, eat meals in a calm, serene environment at regular times, and go to bed early in the evening. They should listen to relaxing music and protect themselves well from low temperatures, as cold is Vata’s real enemy, and they thrive in warm and temperate climates.

PITTA
Pitta is composed of water and fire elements, literally meaning “that which produces heat.” The primary seat in the body is the stomach and duodenum and generally the middle part of the body between the chest and navel. It is the principle of thermogenesis and metabolism, the cosmic energy that makes the sun and stars burn, and the gastric fire that digests food. In the human body, it presides over digestive and endocrine functions, metabolism, and body temperature regulation.

The Pitta type has a medium build with well-represented muscle tissue, a yellow-reddish complexion, bright green or copper-colored eyes, blond or reddish hair, tends to premature baldness and graying, soft and delicate skin with moles and freckles. It governs all functions of digestion and assimilation.

They suffer in hot climates and sweat a lot as their body temperature is high. They have good digestion and excellent appetite, preferring fresh or cold food and drinks. They are pacified by sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. They have regular sleep, a strong, decisive, egocentric, easily irritable and angry character, brilliant and intuitive intellect. They have good intuition and know how to speak in public, although they are often sharp in judgments, precise, and meticulous. They love to surround themselves with beautiful things because they have a great sense of aesthetics.

Balanced Pitta brings confidence, enterprise, cheerfulness, a sharp mind, good digestion, bright complexion, and cordiality. Unbalanced Pitta leads to irritability, hostility, poor digestion, peptic ulcers, anger, skin eruptions, and inflammation, and yellowish skin.

Pitta dosha must avoid stress accompanied by anger, resentment, pressing problems, overly hot and humid climates, excessive sun exposure. Therefore, Pitta individuals are advised not to expose themselves to excessive tensions and to avoid conflicting situations. Regular consumption of ghee has a balancing effect on Pitta. They should avoid excessive intake of substances containing caffeine and alcohol, consume fruit juices and fresh drinks that counterbalance the great heat produced inside the body, and limit exposure to the sun and overheated environments. They should practice yoga or relaxing techniques that reduce the tendency to irritability. Since Pitta Dosha is connected to the organ of sight, it is recommended to avoid watching violent shows or situations characterized by aggression and anger.

KAPHA

Kapha is composed of the elements water and earth, and it literally means “that which unites.” The primary seat of Kapha in the body is the chest, and more generally, the upper part of the body, including the head. Kapha governs all cellular functions, the solidity of the body, the lubrication of ligaments and joints, the maintenance of sexual vigor, immunity, cohesion, and the external appearance or luster of a person.

Kapha represents cohesion and maintains the unity of planets and stars, giving shape and compactness to the body, as well as strength and stability. It controls the balance of tissue and cellular fluids. Kapha is the principle of cooling and conservation, promoting growth, and providing energy, strength, consistency, and coherence. It is balanced by the tastes of bitter, pungent, and astringent.

People with predominant Kapha characteristics have a robust body, well-represented tissues, a light milky-white complexion, soft and oily skin, strong white teeth, a bright smile, large clear eyes, thick black hair, a moderate appetite, slow digestion, a preference for warm and dry foods, regular bowel movements with soft stools, and long deep sleep. They are resistant to fatigue, slow learners with excellent memory, generous, inclined to forgive, have a strong sexual drive and procreative tendency, a stable character, and are rarely angered.

When Kapha is unbalanced, it can lead to laziness, depression, sleepiness, mental inertia, heaviness, greed, possessiveness, obesity, indigestion, aversion to cold and dampness, fluid retention, and diabetes. Kapha is destabilized by stress, a sense of insecurity, feelings of rejection, excessive dependency, too much sleep, cold and damp climates, and an excess of sweet, heavy, and fatty foods.

It is recommended that Kapha individuals lead an active life and engage in regular physical activity, as a sedentary lifestyle aggravates Kapha.