Vata
Vata is the energy of movement. Although it is the air principle, it is not considered the same as actual air on the external environment, but rather as the subtle energy that governs the biological movement.
Vata is intimately related to our vital life essence, known as Prana. Prana is the pure essence of Vata. It is the life force, the play of intelligence. That flow of intelligence is necessary for the communication between two cells, and it maintains the life function of both. On a cosmic level, Prana is said to be the attraction between Purusha and Prakruti. As the principle of mobility, Vata regulates all activity in the body, both mental and physiological. It is responsible for breathing, the blinking of our eyes, the beating of our hearts, and all movement in the cytoplasm and cell membranes. All the impulses in the vast networks of our nervous system are governed by Vata.
When Vata is in balance, it promotes creativity and flexibility and evokes feelings of freshness, lightness, happiness, and joy. Out of balance, Vata produces fear, nervousness, anxiety even tremors and spasms.
Vata is dry, light, cold, subtle, clear, mobile, and dispersing. We shall soon see how these qualities are expressed in a person with a Vata constitution.
Humans of the Vata type are in most cases fragile, small and gracefully built or even tall and slender. Their skin is slightly rough and dry. They love warm and dry weather. Damp or humid places are not of their liking. They can get very fast extremely enthusiastic about something, but lose interest just as fast. Their spirit is quick and creative but a little volatile. They have an irregular eating and sleeping pattern. As they are spontaneous they easily get out of balance.
What is it that get’s the Vata type of person out of balance?
Mental and physical overstraining and an irregular diurnal rhythm get the Vata type easily out of balance. Also going to bed late and traveling a lot is not good for them. The Vata type should opt for a well-ordered routine and a stable environment.
Once the Vata type is out of balance he or she tends to have rough, dry skin, migraine and headaches, insomnia, bad appetite and cold feet. Also arthritis is a typical sign for the Vata type. They tend to worry about it and become fearful and nervous. Due to their inner peace they will suffer even more.
In this state the Vata type tends towards inconsistency. They will easily get distracted, fatigued and start something new all the time without finishing anything.
How does the Vata type of person get back in balance?
Particularly beneficial for the Vata-type are regular oil rubdowns or massages (Abgyanga). For the restlessness and nervousness meditation is a great counter weight.
A well-ordered routine and the practice of self-discipline help the Vata-type to calm down.
As for food, salty, sour and sweet things are good for the Vata type. It is preferable to eat easily digestible food. The meals should be cooked and still warm; raw food should be avoided so as to prevent the Vata type from straining. The food should be rich in nutrients but nevertheless light. Milk, dairy products and tofu; leguminous plants with great nutrient value; high quality fats. Nuts and seeds are ideal for the Vata type.
Also naturally sweet products support the Vata type. Things like fruits, honey and molasses. Warming spices are good for the Vata type. For example ginger, cinnamon, fennel, cilantro or coriander and pepper; white meats such as chicken and turkey as well as fish dishes; fried eggs and egg based foods go well with this Dosha. Warm drinks such as tea are ideal.
The Pitta Type of person
Pitta is translated as fire, but this is not meant literally. It is more like the principle of fire, the energy of heating or the metabolism. Pitta governs all the biochemical changes that take place within our bodies, regulating digestion, absorption, assimilation, and body temperature. From the standpoint of modern biology, Pitta comprises the enzymes and amino acids that play a major role in the metabolism.
Pitta regulates the body temperature through the chemical transformation of food. It promotes appetite and vitality.
We don´t only metabolize food. Every impression coming in from the outside is also processed or "digested" and made a part of us. Thus Pitta (when in balance) promotes intelligence and understanding and is crucial for our learning. Out-of-balance Pitta may arouse fiery emotions such as frustration, anger, hatred, criticism, and jealousy.
Pitta is hot, sharp, light, oily, liquid, pungent, sour, and spreading. These qualities occur in various ways in the Pitta type.
The Pitta type seen from an ayurvedic viewpoint is led by aggressions. In the classic western constitutional teachings, the Pitta type would be assigned as being an athletic type of person.
These Pitta types are not decision makers and are led by discerning (Critical) thoughts. They can be very demanding and may tend to control everything. Due to their individuality they may have great problems with routine tasks, even if they are sensible.
The Pitta type tends towards extreme behaviour. Even though he or she may be physically very resilient, he or she may not be aware of obvious danger signals. More often than not, the Pitta type may ignore these signals, and is in many cases easily drawn towards physical damage. Among these danger signals are migraines, diarrhea and infective activities.
As people of this type of constitution tend towards a hectic lifestyle, they should enjoy their meal times and take make sure they relax on this important break.
The Pitta type has the best physical requirements for the endurance of sports. Unfortunately, as part of their characteristic, they tend to sacrifice their achievements and overstrain themselves instead of enjoying themselves.
Strong points and short comings of the Pitta type:
The crucial points have been mentioned. The Pitta type can represent aggression in a positive way – he or she is able to approach problems and is full of opinions. The Pitta type does tend to get blocked with a negative and a hypercritical mindset always striving to achieve more than he or she can.
Relaxation, adjustment (balance) and a serious pursuit of an inner harmony will give the Pitta type the aspired balance. Once they have achieved this balance they appear open indeed, happy, dynamic and are able to entertain others.
The Kapha Type
Kapha combines water and earth; it is the energy that forms the body's structure, the glue that holds the cells together. Kapha also supplies the liquid needed for the life of our cells and bodily systems. It lubricates our joints, moisturizes the skin, helps to heal wounds, and maintains immunity. Kapha provides strength, vigour, and stability.
Psychologically, an excess of Kapha is responsible for the emotions of attachment, greed, lust, and envy. When Kapha is in balance it expresses itself in tendencies towards love, calmness, and forgiveness.
The qualities of Kapha include heavy, slow, cool, oily, damp, smooth, soft, static, viscous, and sweet. The Kapha type is mostly strongy built and is mostly thoughtful and methodic.
If the Kapha type is in balance, then he or she is patient and enduring. The actions are planned, methodic and organized. The Kapha type likes to solve problems. He or she have a balanced personality, one which can be relied upon. Even through routine he or she do not get out of balance.
The Kapha Type in balance
In balance the Kapha type is an epicure. He or she like to sleep a lot and love the warmth, the heat. But too much rest in combination with an excess of food (too fat, too sweet, too cold) will get them out of balance.
Once the Kapha type is thrown off its track it will trigger the stomach. The results often result in becoming overweight combined with inactivity and lethargy. A Kapha type who is out of balance can easily tend towards greed, envy and stinginess. Illnesses with mucous obstruction like colds are typical.
How to aid the positive powers of the Kapha type?
To balance the Kapha type we have to accelerate their activity level and bring it into movement What get’s the Vata type out of balance put’s the Kapha type back together. Everything that is in relation with fire belongs to it. Warm food; the color red; hot spices.
The Dosha diet is a very suitable diet. The Kapha type should nourish himself with warm and light meals, which are zesty and spiced. Hot sauces and curries go well with this kind of Dosha type. But also sour and pickled vegetables and bitter foods are good.
Together, these three Doshas govern all the body's metabolic activities. Kapha promotes anabolism, the process of building up the body, the growth and the creation of new cells as well as the repair of cells. Pitta regulates the metabolism, which is the digestion and the absorption. Vata triggers catabolism, the necessary deterioration process in which larger molecules are broken down into smaller ones.
Vata, the Principle of movement, moves both Pitta and Kapha, which are immobile. Thus when Vata is out of balance, it influences and disturbs the other Doshas. The majority of illnesses have aggravated Vata at their sources.