VATA - PITTA - KAPHA

VATA
The Vata Dosha is made up of the elements ether and air. The qualities of ether and air are cold, light, dry, unstable, and mobile. When our physical body is made up of mostly ether and air (Vata) it looks like this:

* Long, thin bones or very short, thin bones
* Kinky, curly hair or course hair that’s dark in color
* Long, oval shaped face
* Thin, dry skin
* Small, thin lips
* Crooked, gray teeth
* Hard to gain weight
* If they do gain weight it is usually around the stomach area
* Small breasts
* Small appetites
* Fast talker that jumps from subject to subject
* General coldness in the body
* Early wrinkles

Personality characteristics include:

* Artist or highly creative individual
* Likes to be the centre of attention
* Loves to travel

Prefers warm, moist climates
Most diseases of the western world stem from having too much Vata (ether and air) in our bodies. This is because Vata increases as we age and we do many activities that create air in the body without balancing it out. Some ways of creating Vata in our bodies are:

* Travel
* Watching television
* Computer work
* Eating on the go
* Eating too fast

When Vata goes out of balance in the body meaning that the ether and air qualities within the body are high than you see:

* Insomnia
* Dry skin
* Worry, anxiety and fear
* Constipation
* Scattered mind
* Forgetfulness
* Hair that falls out
* Painful joints
* You feel spacey
* Tremors or uncontrollable shaking
* Cold hands and feet
* Loss of appetite

Long term illness related to high Vata includes Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. You can treat any or all of the above out of balance conditions using Ayurveda. Ayurveda uses qualities that are opposite to the qualities of the elements. For example ether and air have the qualities of cold, light, dry and mobile. Ayurveda treats someone with too much of these qualities using heat, heavy, moist and stable treatments. Ayurveda uses only natural ways of balancing the body. When you treat naturally you create harmony within the body and the condition goes away without coming back. Once harmony is within the body you will not need to continue to take a medicine to keep the condition away. Simply through adjusting diet and lifestyle you can take care of most Vata conditions.

PITTA
The Pitta Dosha is made up of fire and water. The qualities of Pitta are hot, light, dry, unstable and mobile. When our physical body is made up mostly of fire and water (Pitta) it looks like this:

* Medium thickness bones
* Medium thickness skin
* Angular face
* Medium size lips
* Straight hair of blond or red in color
* Yellowing teeth
* Easy to gain weight and easy to lose
* Big appetite
* Medium to full breasts
* Very direct with their talking and answers
* Red flushed face
* Generally hot in body temperature

Personality characteristics include:

* Workaholic
* Addictive personality
* Tends to criticize others
* Competitive
* Thrill seeker
* May be an overachiever and perfectionist

Prefers cool, moist climates.
Common diseases stemming from Pitta have to do with their fiery nature. They tend to like hot spicy foods when they are out of balance and tend to shy away from them when they are in balance. They are extremist in what they do and love to get a thrill. Some ways of creating Pitta in our bodies are

* Eating spicy foods
* Spending too much time in the sun
* Alcohol
* Salt or salty foods

When Pitta goes out of balance in the body, meaning the fire and water qualities are too high than we see:

* Anger
* Irritable
* Overly critical
* Flushed face (hot headed)
* High blood pressure
* Heart disease
* Diarrhea
* Heart attack
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Infection
* Mucous of yellow or green
* Skin rashes
* Red eyes

Long-term illness related to Pitta include stroke and heart problems.

Ayurveda treats Pitta through qualities of cold, heavy, moist and stable which are the opposites of Pitta. Ayurveda will use foods and lifestyle to bring in these qualities to balance the body.


KAPHA
Kapha is made up of water and earth and is the most stable of the three Doshas. The qualities of Kapha are cold, heavy and stable. When your body is made up of mostly water and earth your physical characteristics will include:

* Round face
* Big round eyes
* Thick, wavy hair
* Big, full lips
* Thick skin
* Short thick bones or long, thick bones
* Very hairy body
* Short square hands with short fingers
* Easy to gain weight and hard to lose

Personality characteristics include:

* A very loving heart
* Quick to laugh
* Quick to cry
* Takes a long time to make decisions
* Once decision is made will not change it
* Stubborn
* Committed to family and close friends
* Doesn’t like to venture too far from home

When Kapha goes out of balance in the body, meaning that water and earth elements are too much, it shows signs of:

* Depression
* Obesity
* Accumulation of things
* Congestion in the body
* Diabetes type 2
* Strong desire for sweet taste