What is your Dosha?

(Dosha Quiz linked at the end of blog)

What in the world is a Dosha? First, lets get the fundamentals down.

The whole science of Ayurveda is based around the 5 elements: earth, fire, water, air, and ether. These elements are used to describe everything we know and understand in our reality.

The elements have distinct qualities (Gurvadi Gunas) that can be found in all layers of life; our foods, lifestyle choices, emotions, physical characteristics, the metaphysical, etc.

Ayurveda is a system of healing that examines physical constitution, emotional nature, and spiritual outlook in the context of the universe. According to the philosophy, universal life force manifests as three different energies, or Doshas known as;

Vata (air & ether),
Pitta (fire & water),
Kapha (earth & water)

Dosha means imbalance or blemish. For example, When someone says I have pitta dosha, this means they have a pitta imbalance. So that someone is recommended begin pitta balancing practices.

Ayurvedic medicine uses the elements to describe someone’s mental and physical constitution. Ones constitution breaks up into two parts; Prakriti and Vikriti.

Prakriti is your born constitution, while Vikriti is your developed current imbalance or dosha.

The elements are in constant fluctuation in your body. Your prakriti never changes though, it is usually genetic and with you since birth. Vikriti on the other hand is affected by external circumstances, lifestyle choices, food, season, etc.

These are the doshas & their qualities:

Vata: Air & Ether
Dry, rough, subtle, cold, light(weight), mobile, clear, irregular.

Pitta: Fire & Water
Oily, sharp, hot, light, transformative, quick, liquid, clear.

Kapha: Earth & Water
Heavy, hard, cold, unctuous, dull, stable, stagnant, soft, smooth

Ayurveda states that like attracts like, and opposites heal. For example; someone with a pitta imbalance is experiencing too much heat, in order to balance the heat, you need colder practices.