Know your body type and personality – VATA, PITTA, KAPHA [PART2]

In the first part of this blog – VĀTA, PITTA AND KAPHA – THE 3 DOSHAS THAT DETERMINE YOUR PERSONALITY AND HEALTH [PART 1] , I wrote about what Doshas are (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), what basic elements are combined (Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth)  to form each Dosha and how Doshas are spread out into our body. Please read that blog if you have not read it already. I am sure now you want to know what is your own Prakruti (body type). How are the Doshas influencing your personality and nature? You might also want to know what exactly are the different characteristics of these 3 Doshas? Lets talk about them now.

The Doshas are dynamic energies that constantly change in response to our bodily actions, thoughts, emotions, the food we eat, the seasons and any other changes that influence our mind and body. If the proportion of Dosha in your body is similar as you were born with, then you will be healthy and vibrant. If there is difference between these two states, it indicates the state of imbalance, which leads to various diseases in our body. In Ayurveda it is called as a Vikruti which is opposite of Prakruti.

There are three primary doshic states

Balanced- Influenced equally by Vata, Pitta, Kapha – is considered as the optimum state.

Increased- Particular Dosha is present in excess than its normal proportion.

Decreased- Particular Dosha is present in a less than normal proportion.

1. Characteristics of Vata Dosha (Wind Energy)

According to the ancient Ayurvedic scripture Ashtāngahridayasaṃhitā (अष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहिता), following are the characteristics of Vata dosha:

Vata is predominantly composed of space and air elements.

A person with Vata dosha has the following body characteristics:

1. Thin body frame, does not gain weight easily.
2. Skin is dry, rough, dark complexion, cracked
3. Hair are dry and splitting
4. Is usually quick in doing any activities
5. Has variable and/or poor appetite.
6. Physical working capacity less, resistance to disease usually poor.
7. Prefers warm or hot food and climate.
8. Sweats less,  and has variable thirst.
9. Tendency of constipation.
10. Has light sleep with many dreams.
11. Prone to anxiety, depression and has unpredictable nature.

2. Characteristics of Pitta Dosha (Fire Energy)

According to the ancient Ayurvedic scripture Ashtāngahridayasaṃhitā (अष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहिता), following are the characteristics of Pitta dosha:

Pitta is predominantly composed of fire and water elements.

A person with Pitta dosha has the following body characteristics:

1. Medium body frame.
2. Skin is delicate, reddish complexion and warm to touch.
3. Good or big appetite.
4. Sensitive to warm temperature. Intolerance to hot food and climate.
5. They prefer cold food and climate.
6. Tendency of loose motions.
7. Excessive sweating and often feel thirsty.
8. Bright eyes, reddish sclera (the white outer layer of eyeball), yellow iris, sharp penetrating vision.
9. Hair are soft, prone to premature graying and baldness.
10. They are intelligent and have sharp memory.
11. Hot tempered, brave, jealous, aggressive, commanding nature.

3.Characteristics of Kapha Dosha (Water Energy)

Kapha is predominantly composed of water and earth elements.

A person with Kapha dosha has the following body characteristics:

1. Large, board body frame, tendency to gain weight.
2. Skin is thick, soft, smooth, firm, glossy, fair complexion.
3. Has good stamina but is slow in physical activities.
4. Deep and pleasant voice.
5. Moderate appetite.
6. Moderate sweating, low thirst.
7. Deep and sound sleep.
8. Large eyes, calm, stable with whitish sclera (the white outer layer of eyeball).
9. Hair are thick, oily, wavy and dark-colored.
10. Calm, cool, joyful, polite nature.

These are some of the characteristics of each dosha. By now you must have got an idea about the type of dosha your body belong to. But having said that, we all have complex personalities and body types. So its difficult to come to a conclusion about your correct Dosha based on a broad set of general characteristics. It will take a detailed evaluation by a professional Ayurvedic practitioner to know your exact body type. But never the less, these above guidelines will still give you a fair idea.

Vata, Pitta and Kapha are each essential to our physiology in some way or other, so no Dosha is better than or superior to any other dosha. Each one of them has a very specific set of functional roles to play in the body. When the doshas are out of balance, they can create various health problems in our body. Imbalance of doshas can be caused by stress, emotional trauma, as well as poor diet and lifestyle choices. All these disturbances cause an increase in one or more of the doshas, destroying the natural state of internal equilibrium of doshas represented by our body constitution.

In my next blog I am going to focus on reasons of imbalances of Doshas in our body and how to balance these Doshas with the help of change in lifestyle and diet.

Heres the link to the next part : Balance Your Imbalanced Doshas (Vata, Pitta And Kapha) With These Diet And Lifestyle Changes

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