Doshas
Characteristics of body types
For a better understanding of your Ayurvedic constitution and to cross-check the results of the test, listed below are the principal physical and psychological characteristics of persons with predominantly single dosha constitutions.
VATA
Physically such people are either very tall or very short, non- muscular, with thin and bony limbs and have a quick gait with short fast steps. Skin is generally thin, darkish and cool. The hair is thin, dark, coarse and either kinky or curly. The face is usually long and angular, often with an underdeveloped chin. The neck is thin and scrawny. Nose is small and narrow. May be long, crooked or asymmetrical also. Eyes tend to be small, narrow or sunken, dark brown or gray in color, with dull luster. The mouth being small, with thin, narrow or tight lips. Teeth are irregular, protruding, or broken, set in receding gums. And while the voice is weak, low or cracked, speech is fast with interruptions.
Vata people have restless minds and weak memories. They avoid confrontation. Have active and sensitive natures and express themselves through sport and creative pursuits. Likely to be artistic and creative with a good imagination, they will sometimes overindulge in pleasures, and are sexually the most active. Fearful, worrisome and anxious they are into questioning, theorising and over-analysis. Often dissatisfied with and unable to sustain friendships, they spend money quickly, often on trifles. With light, interrupted sleep of 5-7 hours a day.
Factors that increase vata
Exposure to cold , no routine in your life, eating to much dry, frozen or leftover food, or food with bitter, pungent or astringents taste.
Fasting, too much traveling, too much or inappropriate exercise, suppressing natural urges, abdominal surgery.
Not oiling the skin.
PITTA
A moderately well developed physique with mascular limbs and a purposeful, stable gait of medium speed. With a loud, strong voice and precise, convincing speech. The skin is fair, soft, and lustrous, warm, and tends to burn easily in the sun – has freckles, many moles, and a tendency to rashes. And the bodies are hot and sweaty. Characterised by fine and soft, either fair or reddish hair that tends to gray soon. Face is heart-shaped, often with a pointed chin. While the neck is proportionate and of average size. A neat, pointed, and average sized nose matches the average sized eyes that are either light blue, light gray or hazel in color, with an intense luster which get red in summer or after bathing. The mouth being medium, with average lips and medium-sized, yellowish teeth.
Pittas have an intellectual and precise disposition due to a very alert, focused mind. Sharp and knife-like in anger, they are irritable, jealous and aggressive by nature. Discriminating and judgmental, they are articulate, learned and proud. With a developed sense of responsibility, they can take decisions and organise affairs well. Argumentative, but with a sense of humor, their selectively excellent memory makes them fast learners. Moderately passionate in their sexual pursuits, they spend moderately, usually on luxuries.
Factors that increase pitta
Exposure to heat, eating too much red meat, salt, spicy or sour foods. Indigestion and irregularity of meals. Exercising at midday, Drugs especially antibiotics.
Too much intellectual work/thinking. Alcohol, Fatigue .Anger, Hate fear, Emotion.
KAPHA
A thick, broad, well-developed frame and large, long limbs go well with a pleasant, deep and resonant voice with low, slow, rhythmic speech. The skin is usually thick, oily, pale or white and cold. Plentiful, thick, wavy, blusterous and generally brown hair is set on a large, rounded and full face. The neck is solid, with a near tree-trunk quality. A large, rounded nose and large, attractive, blue or light brown in color eyes are found in a mouth that is large with big, full lips. Teeth too are big and white and set in strong gums.
Kapha predominated people are calm, steady, considerate - stable, patient personalities they are slow to anger. Not easily provoked, once angry they do not calm down easily. They are honorable, true to their word and avoid lies. Loyal, forgiving and understanding, they can be lethargic, even lazy, if not driven by others. Learning may be slow but memory will be strong. Excellent in logical analysis, they take time before reaching conclusions. Long hours of deep sleep and a strong, enduring sex drive come naturally. While they do save money, it does get spent on food. And there can at times be an element of dullness, given that a kapha mind is usually too content to seek fresh mental stimulation.
Factors that increase kapha
Exposure to cold , eating too much sweet ,meat ,fats, cheese, milk, ice cream, yogurt, fried food, excessive use of salt. Excessive intake of water , taking naps after meals. Doing nothing .Sedative and tranquilizers. Doubts, greed, and possessiveness.
REMEDIES
VATA
PITTA
KAPHA
Food
Warm, well cooked food. Sweet, sour and salty tastes
Warm to cool rather than steaming hot. Sweet ,bitter and astringent tastes.
Decreased quantities of warm food. Pungent, bitter and astringent tastes. To be taken earlier than 10 am and not later than 6 pm. Healthy Kapha types should observe fast one day per week.
Oil Massage
With calming and warming oils such as Mahanarayan Oil or with Rhuma oil.
With cooling oils such as chandanbala Laxadi oil
With stimulating oils such as punarnavadi oil and srigopal oil.
Exercise
Moderate exercise such as yoga, walking and light weights
Moderate exercise which may include jogging, swimming, Yoga, cycling and weight lifting
Regular and vigorous.
Herbal Dietary supplements
Ashwagandha, shatavari, haritaki, Guggul, Trikatu.
Haritaki, Bhumiamla, Chyavanprash, surakta, sitopladi churan,
Guggul, sitopladi churan, trikatu, chyavanprash,.
Doshic Imbalances
Any imbalance in the doshas is likely to have a negative effect on your mind and emotions. If in excess you are more likely to display negative energy of a quality associated with it. The predominant dosha of your constitution becoming in excess more easily than the others, you will tend to experience its negative aspects more than the others.
Negative emotions aggravate the dosha associated with them. For example, high kapha may mean you are more possessive; but possessiveness in turn increases kapha even more. The way to break this vicious circle is to pacify the aggravated dosha.
Increased consciousness of Ayurveda and your personal constitution will now enable you to rate the qualities of your moods as V, P, and / or K. Checked as frequently as on a daily basis, this is a very useful way to monitor even small changes in a dosha, and take steps to restore the balance sooner than later. Relate the qualities of your moods to the qualities in other aspects of your life. Since "like increases like" if you are impatient or critical (pitta), check if you have eaten pitta-genic foods or been exposed to pitta-provoking experiences.
Excess Vata leads to :
Nervousness
Constipation
Anxiety
Loss of consciousness
Fear
Impairment of sensory functions
Confusion
Tremors in Limbs
Sadness
Insomnia
Insecurity
Dry & rough skin
Lack of integrity
Low vitality
Loss of creativity
Lack of communication
With decreased Vata giving rise to :
Lethargy
Nausea
Depression
Irregularity in gastric activity
In case of excess Pitta one suffers from :
Ambition
Hate
Anger
Jealously
Fear of Failure
Judgmental or critical tendencies
Snappy speech and actions
Lack of discernment
Skepticism
Pride
Excessive thirst
Burning sensations
Loss of sleep
Craving for cold
Frustration
Fever
While decreased Pitta results in :
Indigestion
Loss of luster in the skin
Abnormal loss of body heat
Irregular bowel movements.
Aggravated Kapha in turn causes :
Carelessness
Lack of interest
Lack of compassion
Secretions from the mouth
Feeling lack of support or love
Lethargy
Obsessive behavior
Excessive sleep
Unkindness
Improper digestive function
Nausea
Obesity
And decreased Kapha gives way to :
Thirst
Cramps
Giddiness
Dryness of mouth