Energy of Equilibrium: The Ayurveda Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha)

"We do not see the world as it is.

We see the world as we are."

- Anais Nin

I was meeting my friend the other day to catch-up and hear all about her graduate school work. I wanted to share with her how proud I was of her embarking on higher education and a potential new career in the near future of meaningful work that she is so excited to share with the community. I arrived at our lunch spot a few minutes earlier, and as I was looking around to find us a place to sit, I was absorbed by the surroundings and I noticed my mood was a bit melancholy.

I have been aware of checking in on my emotions moment by moment with kind inquiry, observing without judgment to the best I can with a practice in mindfulness, proven to help elicit a regulation of emotions. So I settled into a seat at a table near the back corner of the cafe. Soon after my friend walked in and I immediately felt a surge of energy, happy to see her and embrace her with a loving hug. That surge of happiness in mood is serotonin being activated - our feel good neurotransmitter, the embrace of a hug is oxytocin being activated - the love and connection with another, and the motivation to spend quality time with a friend is dopamine being activated. The energy that she carried into the space was happy, motivating, and stable; an energy of equilibrium.

As humans, we all want to connect, feel well, be of service, and pursue our dreams.

The energy is known as Doshas, the bio-energetic principles of Ayurveda - a timeless integrative healing system of medicine from Indian tradition with over 5,000 history of total health and innovative interventions. Doshas are the basis of the biological, psychological, and temperamental framework in each person, known as the three major body mind constitution types: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The three energies align with their corresponding two elements, Vata is Air + Ether, Pitta is Fire + Water, and Kapha is Water + Earth. The doshas combined in equal parts are known as Tridosha - everyone has a blend of the three but one is inherently stronger and depending on the person’s presenting issue, the stronger dosha may need to be adjusted by increasing the other two in order to bring balance back to the whole body.

Doshas are the foundation of Ayurveda that determine precisely why you look, behave, and feel the way you do. When your doshas are evenly balanced, you are unstoppable!

The Vitality of Doshas :

The Ayurveda Doshas

In Ayurveda it is said that “like attracts like, and the opposite brings balance." Thus, if you are feeling let’s say like I was melancholy - an imbalance of excess Vata, and you are in the company of someone cheerful - a balanced Pitta, you can instantly shift your mood towards happiness, as long as you are open to receiving, trust, and circumstances support the exchange of energy. The aim is to steady the doshas to optimal functioning so when emotions do arise, you are alerted and in the driver's seat, steering in the direction of right action to restore balance.

The Ayurveda approach to total health is that each individual is an extension of nature and has the means to live their life’s purpose with harmony. When the three qualities are in balance then body, mind, senses, and temperament function with vitality, strong immunity, steady creativity, and enhanced productivity. The person is in thriving mode, healing happens quicker, and bounces back with resiliency. When the doshas go out of balance, it means there is tendency towards excess or a deficiency in any dosha; the physical and mental health gets compromised and can lead to a risk of dis-ease.

The energy of equilibrium can get compromised by physical and mental injuries, suppressed emotions, trauma, and changes in the environment. To help keep the energy healthy, it is important to understand one’s unique dosha profile which is prakriti (ayurvedic constitution at conception) and vikruti (current nature of imbalance). By determining your primary and secondary doshas, it can aid in understanding the way your body and mind are wired from conception to current state, and the prescription recommened to enhance your health, which usually includes healing herbs, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness techniques. The correct protocol for your lifestyle can decrease stress hormones and make space naturally for production of the fab four happy chemicals or neurotransmitters - dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.

The profile at birth and current state guides one to know which energy to add or reduce and bring one to better health and wellbeing. There are countless dosha forms available but to truly receive an accurate assessment, it is most valuable to see an Ayurvedic therapist.

If you are interested in knowing your own dosha type assessment and basic lifestyle guidelines for mind body wellness, I would love to guide you, schedule a dosha discovery session here.