You are unique, just like everyone else is unique.
Every habit and every medicine creates different effect for everybody. So, your body is ‘one-of-a-kind’ universe and you can attain the supreme bliss of good health, only if you know your body.
Our body is made of a distinctive blend of three types of energies which the Ayurveda describes as ‘Doshas’. How these energies interact with each other, denotes your nature (Prakriti), health and well-being at large. They are ‘Vata’, ‘Pitta’, and ‘Kapha’. If you can understand the nature of your body, it becomes relatively easy to attain good health and maintain it.
Understand the three ‘Doshas’ – ‘Vata’, ‘Pitta’ & ‘Kapha’
As the modern science explains, everything in the Universe is made up of matter and energy. This fact has been underscored by the Ayurveda too. Ayurveda suggests that our body is made of the five basic elements or ‘Panch Mahabhoota’ which are Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Ether. And our body sustains life by maintaining the crucial energy balance through the interaction of these five elements. They are classified as the three ‘Doshas’.
VATA = Air + Ether
‘Vata’ principle is also known as the ‘Kind of the Doshas’. It represents the wind and space elements. The ‘Vata’ dosha is the driving force which dominates nerve impulses, blood circulation, respiration and elimination of wastes from the body. It governs everything related to various movements in the body viz. physical and psychological movements including breathing, heart beats, extension and contraction of muscles, etc.
PITTA = Fire + Water
‘Pitta’ principle is also known as ‘That which Digests’. ‘Pitta’ represents the amalgamation of fire and water elements. ‘Pitta’ is associated with body’s metabolism, temperature, and psychology. It controls the major functions of body like digestion and appetite, skin tone, sensory perception, thoughts and emotions. It is predominantly controls the functions of the liver, digestive system, senses, and brain.
KAPHA = Water + Earth
‘Kapha’ principle binds the entire body systems together and it is known as ‘heaviest of all three ‘Doshas’. It represents combination of earth and water elements. ‘Kapha’ controls and maintains the shape & structure, lubrication of the joints, growth of body tissues, and fertility. ‘Kapha’ exerts balance amongst the bodily fluids and it regulates the physical appearance of the body.
These three ‘Doshas’ are integral to your health and well-being. If you can maintain their balance and harmony by implementing healthy habits and food, your body would experience the eternal bliss which is called inner peace.
Find your Body Type (Prakriti)
Please do take a moment to understand your body type using the chart mentioned below.
If you know your body’s ‘Prakriti’ well, you can easily lead a healthy and happy life.
| TYPE | VATA | PITTA | KAPHA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Frame | Thin – usually short or tall | Medium | Large, Tall |
| Weight | Low weight, doesn’t gain weight | Medium Weight stay same | Heavy Weight |
| Eyes | Small, Dark Eyes | Medium Sized, Light Eyes, Easily Inflamed | Large Eyes with thick eyelashes, Gentle Gaze |
| Skin | Dry, Rough, Cold Cracks Easily | Moist, Warm, Pink Prone to acne | Soft, Smooth, Moist, Cool |
| Complexion | Dark | Flushed, Sunburn Easily | Pale |
| Hair | Rough, Dry, Wairy | Thin, Oily, Light Colored, Grey, Bald Premature | Thick, Wavy, Oily |
| Eye Brow | Thin, Small | Medium | Thick, Bushy |
| Nose | Small, Thin | Medium, Symmetrical | Wide |
| Teeth | Vary in size, Crooked | Medium | Large white |
| Joints | Stiff, Tend to Crack | Loose, Average Size | Large, Stirdy |
| Nails | Thin, Brittle | Soft, Pink | Strong, Thick, White, Smooth |
| Muscle | Thin, Undeveloped | Average Size | Large well developed |
| Urine | Scant, Colorless | Profuse, Yellow | Moderate, Milky |
| Menstrual | Irregular, Scanty | Regular, Bright color | Regular, Pale color. |
| Stool | Scanty, Dry, Hard, Prone to Gas & Constipation | Abundant, Loose & Soft | Moderate, Dense with Mucus. |
| Apetite | Variable | Strong | Low |
| Dietary | Likes to snack on Dry, Crunchy foods. | Like Cold Drinks & Snacks. | Like Sweet & Creamy. |
| Thirst | Low | High | Moderate |
| Digestion | Prone to Gas. | Good, Strong, Fast. | Slow, Steady. |
| Sweat | Hardly Sweat. | Profuse strong smelling. | Moderate. |
| Circulation | Poor, Cold Hand & Feet. | Good Hot Hand & Feet. | Moderate Temperature Cool.. |
| Weather | Like Sun & Warmth. | Cold Weather. | Warm & Windy. |
| Sensitivity | Cold, Wind, Dryness Noise. | Heat, Sunlight, Light & Color. | Touch, Old & Dampness. |
| Immunity | Low. | Moderate. | Strong. |
| Physical Endurance | Low. | Moderate. | Strong. |
| Sleep | Light. | Moderate. | Deep. |
| Dreams | Prone to Nightmare. | Colorful, Vivid Passionate. | Rarely or Uneventful. |
| Movements | Quick. | Move with Purpose & Motivation. | Moves Slowly & Steadily, Gracefully. |
| Desicion | Changes Mind Quickly, Indecisive & Nervous. | Decisive & Determined. | Changes Mind & Opinions Slowly. |
| Thoughts | Creative, Visionary Ideas. | Logical, Critical, idealistically. | Thinks Slowly & Methodical. |
| Learning Ability | Easily Learn & forget Easily, Poor Memory. | Easily with clear memory. | Learn slowly good long term memory. |
| Professional | Art | Medicine, Engineering | Business |
| Mind | Prone to Anxiety, Fear Nervousness & Worry. | Prone to Irritability Anger, Aggression, Jealousy. | Prone to Depression lethargy, Attachment. |
| Attitude | Lively, Positive attitude when balance. | Warm, Outgoing & Confident. | Peaceful, Happy & loving when in balance. |
| Money | Spends in trifles. | Earn but spends on Luxury. | Can earn & Save after motivation. |
| Speech | Quick Speech Talkative. | Argumentative, Confrontational, Enjoy's Debate. | Talks Slowly & Deliberately. |
| Travel | Love Travelling. | Need beautiful environment. | Domestic, Spends more time in the home. |
| Sensitivity | Sensitive to sound. | Sensitive to Visual Stimulati. | Not that sensitive. |
