What Are the Ayurveda Doshas? Vata, Kapha, and Pitta

Ayurveda is an ancient holistic medicine that has been used traditionally by Indians but has gained a lot of popularity these days. The basis of Ayurveda is creating a balance between mind, body, and soul along with the balance of the Tridoshas that is obtained from the five elements of nature. Additionally, a school of medicine believes that there is no one size fit when it comes to treatment and wellness. So in treatment, Prakruti of the individual is determined. Then Ayurveda Dosha Analysis is performed to know the Dosha imbalances. Based on these recommendations for lifestyle, food and medicines are provided.  Also read Ayurvedic Psychology and Free Dosha Analysis - Vata, Pitta, Kapha

Ayurveda Dosha Analysis 

Understanding your Dosha or constitution by performing Ayurveda Dosha analysis means knowing yourself. There is a constant play between the factors around you and the internal doshas. For instance, the food, the weather, and the nature of those around you can affect the internal dosha. Knowing What's Your Dosha can give you an idea of the food to eat and how to live happily. 

Ayurvedic medicine believes that the mind is made up of 4 natural elements Water, Earth, Fire, Air, and Space. Combining these elements results in Tridoshas, which can be determined by Ayurveda Dosha Analysis. These Doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and are thought to be responsible for the person’s mental, physical, and physiological health. Knowing what’s your dosha can help you understand the unique ratio of the Tridoshas and define the blueprint to achieve good health. 

More About Each Type Of Dosha

Before you do a Vata Pitta Kapha test and determine your dosha type, it is essential to know what each dosha looks like. This Ayurveda Body Type Test is based on centuries of practice, and here’s an overview of each dosha.

Vata

It is made of two elements, space and air, and is described as spacious, flowing, dry, rough, cold, and light. Autumn symbolises Vata as it has days that are cool and crisp. When you do a Dosha self test, you will be categorised as having Vata Dosha if you are creative, slim, and energetic. Their mood varies according to the people around them and the weather. 

If you are creative, flexible, kind-hearted, slim, and a multitasker, you will get a Vata body type in Ayurveda Body Type Test. 

As per the dosha chart, the weakness of this body type is that they are highly sensitive to cold, forgetful, have an unstable mood, anxious, have irregular eating patterns, and irregular appetite. As per Ayurveda Rejuvenation, people with this dosha type should avoid cold weather and consume Ayurvedic juice and foods that are warm. As per the dosha chart, they should do calming activities like meditation and follow a proper routine.

Kapha

It is made of natural elements like water and earth. This Dosha chart says Kapha dosha can be described as soft, cold, heavy, slow, stable, and steady. The Kapha season i.e, spring is the time when the world comes out of hibernation. As per the Ayurveda Dosha Analysis of Kapha, people with this body type are caring but strong. They are known to be the support system that can keep things going. People with a dominant Kapha dosha do not get upset easily, are slow and deliberate in life, and think before they act. 

In a Vata Pitta Kapha test, you show that you are calm, wise, patient, romantic, strong, caring, empathetic, and trusting. Additionally, if you are oversleeping, sluggish, have a slow metabolism, have breathing issues, and gain weight easily, you have a Kapha dosha as per the Ayurveda Dosha Analysis. 

In Ayurveda Body Type Test, it is determined that you have Kapha dosha, then to maintain optimal health, follow a proper diet, exercise regularly. Keep your body warm, and have a set sleep routine. 

Pitta

As per the Ayurveda Dosha Analysis, Pitta is based on water and fire and is known to have a tenacious personality. It can be described as hot, sharp, liquid, oily, light, and sharp. Summer is the Pitta season as it has hot and sunny days. If your Ayurveda Body Type Test comes up with Pitta dosha as your body type, you will usually have an athletic and muscular build and are the leader of the group. They are aggressive, tenacious, competitive, and highly motivated. 

When you do a What's Your Dosha test and the results show that you have Pitta dosha, your strengths are that you are a quick learner, have a strong desire for success, and have good circulation with healthy hair and skin. The weakness of the Ayurveda Dosha Analysis is that they have mood swings, are forever hungry, impatient, and prone to inflammation and acne. Ayurveda Rejuvenation for this dosha is to have a good work-life balance and avoid hot places. 

Imbalances in the Doshas

Diet and lifestyle choices are the major reasons for the imbalance in doshas. These can upset the internal equilibrium, represented by the body type. When the doshas get aggravated, they disrupt the body. Hence Vata, Kapha and Pitta are linked to many health challenges and diseases. 

• Vata Imbalance: When the Vata is imbalanced, it causes loneliness, exhaustion, isolation and anxiety. It can lead to depleted energy and leads to muscle spasms and tremors. 
• Pitta Imbalance: When this is imbalanced, it leads to reactionary emotions like anger, frustration, criticism and jealousy. It causes inflammation in the body and affects the tissues and organs. 
• Kapha Imbalance: When this is not balanced, it can lead to lethargy, stubbornness, resistance to changes, and possessiveness. It causes congestion in tissues and organs of the body and the mind. 

Diet to be Followed

The diet a person follows should be based on your dosha type as it can help balance the Tridoshas and have good health. 

Vata Dosha

If your Ayurveda Body Type Test results show that you have Vata dosha, then there are foods that one should eat and some foods to avoid to maintain optimal health. As per Ayurveda Dosha Analysis, those with Vata dosha should eat soft, warm, and moist foods. So they should consume dairy, eggs, lean meat, peaches, bananas, oats, cooked vegetables, berries, and brown rice. Foods to avoid are cold, bitter, and dried items. So as per the Vata Pitta Kapha test, you should not eat dried fruits, seeds, nuts, raw vegetables, and cold desserts.

Kapha

If in your Vata Pitta Kapha test it is determined that you have Kapha dosha, you should not eat spicy, filling, and acidic in nature. So as per the Ayurveda Dosha Analysis, you should have lots of fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheese, hot spices, unprocessed meat, and whole grains. Avoid fatty and heavy foods like nuts, processed foods, fat oils, and seeds. 

Pitta

If your body type is Pitta in your dosha test, then as per the Ayurveda Dosha Analysis, you should have to energise, sweet, light, and cold foods. So you should have foods like oats, eggs, fruits, and non-starchy vegetables. Avoid sour, spicy, and heavy foods like hot spices, potatoes, and red meat. 

When you feel unbalanced, know What's Your Dosha by doing a vata pitta kapha test. Based on the results, follow the dosha chart and do Ayurveda Rejuvenation by following the foods to avoid and eat. Also, based on Ayurveda Body Type Test, you should change your diet as per the seasons and environment. 

Exercise

Depending on what’s your dosha, a specific exercise is recommended. If it is determined during the vata pitta kapha test that you have a Vata dosha, you should focus on activities like walking, cycling, running, tai chi, yoga, etc. According to Ayurveda Dosha Analysis, people of this type should focus on constant movement activities. 

On the other hand, if the Ayurveda Body Type Test shows Kapha, you should have a workout buddy to motivate you. Moreover, as per the Ayurveda Dosha analysis, you should include exercise that combines weight resistance and cardio. 

Those who get a result of Pitta dosha on performing the What's Your Dosha test tend to push too hard and avoid doing exercises in the heat. They excel in team sports and find competitiveness satisfying. 

On the whole, as per Ayurveda Dosha analysis, exercises with gentle movements like yoga have to show good health benefits and is part of the Ayurveda Rejuvenation irrespective of the result of the vata pitta kapha test. 

Lifestyle changes

Ayurveda encourages mind healing of the overall being, including emotion, physical and mental health. To achieve this, one has to actively participate in meditation, yoga, mindful eating, following proper sleep hygiene, and managing the work-life balance. Apart from these, having a daily routine of a healthy lifestyle is also highly recommended so that your body and mind are in sync with the natural elements. When all these are diligently followed, it promotes good health. 

Doing a vata pitta kapha test and knowing the dosha is essential for understanding your body and mind. It also helps to determine the imbalances in your body. Using these, you can do an Ayurveda Rejuvenation to have a transformative effect on your health and overall well-being. Also read Free Ayurveda Dosha Analysis Vata Pitta Kapha Profiling

Authored By: Divya Shankar

About Author: Divya Shankar is a multifaceted content writer with 7+ years of experience. She has exclusive writing expertise in ayurveda.