Vata, pitta, kapha
It is always fascinating to consider the complexities of the natural world and our place within it. In nature, everything is connected in one way or another. The forces of nature often follow cyclical patterns and rhythms, and they also favor balance. It is never a good thing for these complex relationships and cycles to become disrupted or left unbalanced for too long. We are always learning something new about the natural world around us, and there are several different ways to look at and understand nature. Here, we will consider the principal forces and energies of nature at work from the context of Ayurveda.
The Three Doshas
In Ayurveda, everything that exists in nature is understood to be made up of five different elements. These elements are fire, water, earth, air, and ether. Furthermore, Ayurveda introduces the concept of doshas. The three doshas are known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and they are each dominated by one or two of the five elements. Vata is dominated by air, Pitta is dominated by fire, and Kapha is dominated by water. While we can certainly look for these elements in the physical world around us, we can also find these elements within ourselves. Understanding our own unique combination of elements helps us understand what is healthy for us and how to know when we are out of balance. Everything is a practice of maintaining balance to truly feel our best and thrive. According to Ayurveda, each person will be influenced by different levels and ratios of each dosha. Therefore, the steps that a person must take in order to achieve and maintain some level of balance will look different depending on which dosha has a greater influence. Each one will be described in detail below along with explanations of what might happen should an imbalance of a particular dosha occur.
Vata
Vata is dominated by a combination of air and ether. The element of air lends to its dry and cold qualities, while the element of ether lends to its qualities of light and clarity. It is frequently associated with high energy and movement in the body. Vata is also understood to be linked to flexibility and higher levels of creativity. Those who are more strongly influenced by Vata may feel as if they are constantly on the move or that their mood changes quite frequently. In the same way that the direction of the wind can change on a whim, a person who is influenced by Vata may frequently change their mind about things or switch up their routine at a moment’s notice. A person with Vata dominant qualities have a natural enthusiasm for life. They are upbeat, creative, and adaptable. When Vata becomes imbalanced, they may have a racing mind causing them to overthink, be fearful, and feel anxious, overwhelmed, and worried. Because of having a variety of interests, it may be hard for them to go deep into any subject and they can skim the top of multiple practices. To counteract these issues, it’s important to form regular habits and routines that include sufficient sleep schedules and regular meal times. Those dominated by Vata must find ways to ground themselves.
Pitta
Pitta is dominated by a combination of fire and water. Like the fire that makes it up, Pitta is hot and light, but the element of water also causes it to be fluid and capable of spreading quickly. In the body, Pitta is associated with the digestive system. It is known for metabolism and processing. People with Pitta dominant qualities are good at processing thoughts and are very decisive. The fiery energy of Pitta contributes to a passionate and determined personality with strong focus on whatever they set their mind to. Pitta individuals are ambitious and eager to learn new things at a faster pace. They are good at leading people. Those influenced by Pitta are committed to the lofty goals they set for themselves, and they are more than willing to go outside of their comfort zone in order to achieve those goals. When there is an imbalance of Pitta, they may find themselves feeling more agitated and frustrated than usual. A strong desire to learn things quickly and reach their goals even faster can make them feel impatient if things are going more slowly than they would like it to. They can overdo to a point of burn out and literally become hot headed being critical and judgmental of themselves and others around them. Pitta individuals need to cultivate patience and practice compassion to override judgment.
Kapha
Kapha is dominated by a combination of earth and water. The element of earth causes Kapha to be associated with stability and solidity, while the element of water contributes to its coolness and smoothness. Considering that Kapha is connected to the quality of stability, it therefore makes sense for this dosha to be linked with the parts of the body that provide structure, such as the bones. Those who are more heavily influenced by Kapha are thought to be patient and empathetic. They are loyal to those they care about, and they enjoy the reliability of a well-structured routine. They are natural caregivers and have a great depth of compassion for all of life. When Kapha is imbalanced, they may feel as if they are stagnating and unable to move forward. The stability and slowness of Kapha gives way to stubbornness and a reluctance to confront the things that need to be changed or fixed. They can become controlling of others and they like to hold on to memories and even objects, literally becoming hoarders. They can be lazy and unmotivated and can easily withdraw and fall into a state of depression.
Having an understanding of our doshic constitution (Prakruti) and imbalance (Vikruti) allows us to understand our higher qualities that we can move in to as well as understand when we are not in our higher Self. Contact Carrie for Ayurvedic consultations to understand the unique energy within.