Dosha is the vital power or energy which enables the physical and psychological functions in the human body. Iimbalance of this energy leads to diseases on a physical and psychological level. Therefore, the literal translation of the word “dosha” from Sanskrit means something which darkens, spoils and decomposes, because an imbalanced dosha leads to problems. This imbalance develops when one does not live in accordance with one’s constitution, in accordance with that dosha which is dominant in one’s nature.

The doshas consist of five main components – ether, air, fire, water and earth. These elements manifest themselves in the doshas as energy or moving power, both in their physical and material condition.

There are three main doshas:
Vata – the elements and energy of air and ether.
Pitta – the elements and energy of fire and water.
Kapha – the elements and energy of water and earth.

One’s constitution is defined according to these three doshas, depending on which dosha is dominant in him. The three doshas are always present but one is usually dominant. The dosha which predominates generally determines one’s constitution when there is a state of dosha balance.

There are ten types of body constitutions:

1. Vata.
2. Pitta.
3. Kapha.
4. Vata-Pitta (Vata is dominant but Pitta is also is present, consequently Kapha is there in a small amount).
5. Vata-Kapha.
6. Pitta-Vata.
7. Pitta-Kapha.
8. Kapha-Pitta.
9. Kapha-Vata.
10. Vata-Pitta-Kapha (All doshas are equal in amount. This is the rarest constitution).

Description of Doshas

Vata – is the energy, which moves and distributes everything in the body. For example, on the physical level it regulates blood pressure, intestinal peristalsis, and breathing. On the mental level it is the energy of the nervous system which regulates nervous impulses, controls the state of mind and moves  our thoughts and feelings.

A Vata mind moves at great speed. By calming mental wind (Vata) it is possible to calm the mind. Excited Vata gives an excited and uncontrolled mind, tranquil Vata gives a tranquil mind.
The nature of a Vata memory is quick to learn and quick to forget, or short-term memory. For example, someone gets ready for an exam, passes it and then forgets almost everything right away. When having sclerosis, one’s Vata- dosha becomes highly imbalanced, which leads to short-term memory loss.

Vata- people are usually skinny, with an angular face, prominent and often thin bones. It is difficult for them to put on weight. Their skin  is darkish, with visible veins, thin and  inclined to dryness. The hands, feet and skin are normally cold. The hair is thin, dry and usually harder than the other types, and the head is small. The eyes are dark, small dry, and active, with short, dry and hard eyelashes. The mouth is not big; the lips are thin with a darkish tinge, dry and active.

Pitta is the energy of fire (the energy of metabolism). It is the energy of digestion and appetite on the physical level and the energy of digestion of information on the mental level. It is the energy of fire, which maintains the body temperature through processing in the body chemical energy received from food.
A Pitta mind is characterised by sharpness, it clearly hits the target and quickly gets the point.  It gives concentration and purposefulness of  mind.

A Pitta memory is excellent: one can memorize and remember easily, and focus on essential information without unnecessary details.

Pitta – people have medium physique. They can change weight by losing or gaining weight easily. Generally they have well- developed muscles. Their skin is pinkish or reddish, ruddy, with birthmarks and freckles. They are more inclined to spotty skin, and have warm and normal skin, not dry or oily, but rather moist. In many cases, ginger or red haired people have a Pitta body type. Pitta – people have medium thick hair that is soft and thin, and there is a tendency to premature greying of hair or hair loss. They have a medium sized head. Their eyes are also medium in size, with short, thin , sparse eyelashes and a penetrating gaze. They have red, soft, medium sized lips.

Kapha is a nourishing energy, the energy of stability and steadiness. On the physical level it is responsible for the construction of body tissues. It gives elasticity and firmness to the body, but at the same time it also lubricates and moistens, adding to the flexibility and softness of the body. On the mental level it gives stability and fortitude, but at the same time gives kindness, forgiveness and softness of character.

A Kapha mind is stable and strong. Imbalanced Kapha -dosha causes passiveness and sluggishness of mind, but not tranquillity; as if all thoughts go through the mind in slow motion.
A Kapha memory is slow to retain information but will remember forever. It gives long-term memory and the ability to remember fine details.

Kapha people are usually fat and it is difficult for them to lose weight. They have a round and sturdy build. Theirskin is thick, oily, smooth, soft, cool and pale. The hair is thick, oily, dense and shiny and the head is larges. The eyes are large, attractive and light, with long and dense eyelashes. The lips are smooth, resilient, full and biglarge.

Diseases come when one’s constitution becomes disturbed, when one or more doshas become imbalanced. The dosha’s balance does not mean that they are all present in the body in equal amount (except when one’s constitution is Vata-Pitta-Kapha).

On the physical level the doshas manifest themselves in the human body in one’s constitution  and on the psychological level, in one’s character, intellect and behaviour. And physical and psychological doshas can be different. For example, physically one can look like Kapha, with a fat and solid figure, but psychologically he thinks like Pitta – he directs, acts quickly, clearly and purposefully, is hot-tempered and not ashamed to express his anger. Kindness, softness and slowness, which are inherent in a Kapha constitution are not present in this person’s thinking and behaviour, although he looks like Kapha.
Sometimes the physical constitution can balance or compensate for the psychological constitution. For example, if one’s Vata becomes excited, he starts talking excessively, cannot concentrate, moves in an excited or fussy manner and experiences nervous tension. As a result, Vata becomes excited also on the mental level, which leads to excessive motion of the mind and emotions, and causes tension of the nervous system, which practically cannot rest or relax.

Then this person can suddenly gain weight and become slower and sluggish, which on the physical level will look like Kapha constitution. But in reality, an external increase in Kapha is activated as a physical defense mechanism to slow the excited Vata on the internal, mental level. In such a way, the mental excitement of Vata is balanced and compensated for by the external physical heaviness and slowness of Kapha. In such an instance, firstly, Vata should be corrected on the mental level through meditation, relaxation, an anti-Vata diet (sweet, oily food, plenty of liquid, etc.) and through developing a philosophical world outlook and a proper attitude toward stressful situations. Secondly, it is necessary to balance Kapha on the internal level through a proper diet for improving Kapha, a healthy life style and special herbs for harmonization of Kapha and maintenance of nervous system, for which Vata is responsible.

Vata -dosha is considered to be the main and most important dosha, because it is the most unsteady and becomes easily imbalanced. Usually it is the first dosha which becomes imbalanced when diseases come. Also, through it the other doshas work; it is like a substance through which they act, or a power and energy that directs the other doshas – if Vata gets imbalanced, then the other doshas also become affected. Therefore, during treatment to balance the doshas, it is usually recommended to firstly restore and cure the Vata- dosha and only then the other ones. If Vata becomes stabilized, then the other doshas normally automatically become balanced – unless, of course, the condition is not serious and advanced.

Vata in other Ayurvedic contexts is also called prana – the vital energy. As long as there is prana in the body, there is life in it too. An excess of excitement of Vata-dosha leads to exhaustion of the vital energy of prana. If Vata -dosha is in order, the vitality flows normally through one’s body and such a person radiates energy, has a strong body and mind and feels happy.

This extract  is taken from a new book by Rami Bleckt “Three Energies.”