The science of Ayurveda believes in harmonizing the human body and mind and to do so, thedosha that exist in the human body must be in balance. Thedosha refers to the three bodily substances present in one’s body which change according to the body’s diet, time of the day, seasons and so on.
These substances are linked to the elements of the Earth, signifying the union between humans and the relationship between these two entities. The threedoshathat determine the health of a person are:
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Vatais considered to be similar to the elements of air and space and signify movement. In fact, this is thedosha that facilitates the movement of the other twodoshawithin the body.Vatais characterized by dryness, roughness, mobility, subtlety and lightness and governs activities like breathing, circulation, assimilation of food, excretion and menstruation. An imbalance invata causes problems in the above mentioned activities and anxiety, dryness in the body and constipation.
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Pita resembles the earthly elements of fire and water. Roughly translating to ‘something which cooks’, thisdosha is responsible for digestion and metabolism in the body. This functionspitathrough the presence of enzymes and acid present in the body. This substance is located in the stomach, small intestine, blood, sweat and eyes. Providing the body with heat and energy to digest food, thisdosha is also said to provide joy, willpower, anger and jealousy. When one feels that their body feels ‘overheated’ it usually because of the excesspita. Whenpita is balanced, a person is usually happy, sharper and courageous.
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Kapha is derived from the earth and water elements and is characterized by coldness, heaviness, stickiness and being static. They are located in the lungs, ligaments, tendons and connective tissues. Their primary function is to provide moistness to the food which enables easy digestion, assists movement by lubricating joints and cooling down the body. Thisdoshaeven promotes feelings like patience, love and forgiveness, when in balance. However, an excess ofkapha, it literally weighs down the body and enables ailments like obesity, sinus, lethargy and may even cause depression.
Each person has a unique combination of these threedoshaand often, one might be the dominant one. There are various quizzes online that help determine thedosha of one’s body. For more accuracy, one can consult practicing Ayurvedic doctors to determine thedosha of their body and take measures to keep all three of them in balance.
