Doshas, Dhatus and Ama

Doshas

Every human being is born with the 3 basic factors or principles that govern the individual’s physical, mental and psychological well-being. These are called Doshas and are manifested by a combination of 5 primordial elements – Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

1. Vata Dosha is manifested from Ether and Air, and as such symbolizes energy that governs bodily or biological movement.
2. Pitta Dosha is manifested from Fire and Water, and as such symbolizes energy that governs heat or fire in metabolic processes.
3. Kapha Dosha is manifested from Water and Earth, and as such symbolizes energy that governs structural stability and resistance in the body.

Each dosha invokes psychological feelings or emotions and has a specific place inside the body called ‘seat’ where it resides.

Balance among these three doshas or ‘Tridosha’ establishes a healthy mind, body and consciousness. Any imbalance is a result of vitiation or aggravation in one or more doshas leading to a state of disorder or disease. The human constitution or ‘Prakriti’ comprises of all three doshas with predominance of at least one or more doshas. Ayurveda identifies seven types of constitutions:

1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
4. Vata – Pitta
5. Pitta – Kapha
6. Vata – Kapha
7. Vata – Pitta – Kapha

An individual’s primary constitution at birth remains fairly constant throughout the life. However, body’s daily interaction with the external environment impacts ‘tridosha’. Hence Ayurveda preaches balance of tridosha with daily living and dietary habits for every season.

What is your Constitution?

Select the choices that best align with your state of mind, body and consciousness to determine the general guideline of your constitution.