What’s Your Type?
Ayurveda is often called the ‘Sister Science’ of Yoga, and describes a whole spectrum of health practices ranging from dietary prescriptions to cleansing techniques and more. Ayurveda literally means ‘the knowledge/science of life and longevity,’ and many of Ayurveda’s principles are now entirely woven into our modern understanding of a yoga practice that values the health of the body.
Ayurveda describes the physical body as a unique combination of the 5 elements. Different combinations of elements form the three Dosha;
Earth + Water = Kapha.
A little water + Fire = Pitta.
Wind + Space = Vata.
Everyone is born with a unique balance of the three Dosha called their prakriti, or natural constituion.
Throughout life this natural constitution is challenged by our inner and outer environments leading to varying imbalances or vikriti. Vikriti often occurs as the result of like attracting like. Pitta dominant people, will tend towards behaviours the reinforce that pitta dominance and so gradually pull themselves out of balance. Treatment in Ayurveda almost always works on the principle that it is cultivating of the opposite that restores balance.
So, what do the Dosha’s tell you about you?
Vata Dosha
The vata dosha is formed from the elements of wind and space. It governs the principles of movement, change and changeability. It seat is in the colon, but it pervades the entire body in its nutritive form vayu and is has loci in the heart, pelvic cavity and waist.
People with a dominant vata dosha are likely to be thin and lightly build who both think and act quickly. When balanced vata supports creativity, intelligence and curiosity, productivity and enthusiasm. However, when out of balance vata underpins indecisiveness, anxiety, insomnia and indigestion with a body type that risks instability and struggles to hold on to or build weight.
Asana practices that will support the balancing of vata energy are grounding, and contain movement (although it will be important to ensure there is enough movement to hold their attention!). Sama Vritti, chanting and sounding breaths like brameri will help to soothe and calm the mind, whilst asanas that strengthen and create stability in the pelvis and legs will aid balance.
Pitta Dosha
Pitta is made primarily from fire, and also a little of the water element. It carries the powers of transformation and the capacity to metabolise. It’s seat is in small intestine, although it exists in all the digestive organs and the eyes.
People with a predominant pitta dosha will tend towards lean, muscular bodies, with strong agni and a warm body temperature. Pitta fosters a sharp and questioning mind and strong sense of drive and determination. When balanced, pitta supports warmth, compassion, intelligence and good leadership and decision making. Pitta people will enjoy routine, but are open to experience and spontaneity. However, when out of balance pitta can manifest as impatience, irritability and even aggression alongside narrow viewpoints and a risk of obsession. Physical symptoms include heartburn, ulcers, and a propensity towards skin issues and inflammation.
Practices that balance Pitta are soft, and cooling. Heat will particularly collect in the abdominal area, so asana that create space and dispel heat from the abdominal area such as side bends, prone backbends, twists and forward folds will provide a counterbalance, especially when combined with cooling pranayama such as sitali or more simply a focus on extending the exhale.
Kapha Dosha
The Kapha dosha is the combination of the earth and water element. It holds the building blocks of life, and is the primary dosha from which all others arise. It carries the principles of protection, nourishment and stability and is generated from its seat in the lungs. It exists in all the body fluids, and structural components such as muscle.
People with a predominance of kapha in their nature tend towards a heavier body type, and a slower pace of life. They are grounded and grounding, considerate and measured. When in balance the kapha dosha creates thoughtfulness, loyalty and calmness, a relaxed and easy-going approach to life that enables them to move gracefully and with the flow. When out of balance it leads to sluggishness, lethargy a resistance to healthy change and a tendency to withdraw and hibernate, holding on to negative emotions and heavy thoughts.
Asana Practices that balance the kapha dosha involve building heat and energy, whilst moving stagnation in the chest. Sequences that involve backbending, side bends, abdominal work and inversions are complimented by pranayam such as kapalabhati, bhastrika and ujayi.
The dosha also change with the seasons;
As the seasons turn, the prominence of different elements in our external environments will have varying effects on our constitution, depending on the elements that make up our inner environments. Understanding how your dosha is affected seasonally can help you to find harmony all year long.
Summer
Kapha will often be balanced by the natural heat and drying qualities and will experience a surge in energy not experienced at other times in the year. Too much heat can be uncomfortable and even overwhelming, so ensure good hydration throughout the season.
Pitta types are most likely to experience an imbalance in the heat of the summer season. Experiencing an increase in frustration and irritability alongside physical symptoms like rashes and fevers. The key to success is keeping cool!
Vata types can be aggravated by the dryness of the summer season and may see a flare of skin related symptoms such as eczema, or dry coughs. Diet and practices that keep moisture in the body will help maintain balance through summer.
Autumn
Kapha are naturally damp, and so the cooling qualities of autumn often herald a period of release from feelings of congestion. However, as autumn progresses into Winter and the cold becomes more pronounced its important to ensure kapha types stay warm.
Pitta welcome to transition to the cool autumn air, and this is a particularly good time for practitioners to engage in practices that allow them to release some of the extra heat accumulated through the summer months.
Vata types are particularly aggravated through autumn as the increase of the wind element. With increased wind comes increased feelings of changeability and instability and often Vata types can feel like they’ve had the ground pulled out from beneath them at this time and so should be especially conscious in their practice that they don’t get carried away with extended postures and focus on something a little more contained and close to the ground.
Winter
Kapha are affected, especially in wetter winters, and should ensure they take plenty of layers along to keep warm throughout the winter. Kapha practitioners should be mindful to maintain a regular sleeping pattern and resist the urge to hibernate and sleep for longer periods.
Pitta will initially benefit from the cool climate that winter offers, however, in environments where the winters can be prolonged it is important for pitta’s to eat regularly and engage in practices that keep their deep core nice and warm.
Vata types are naturally cold and dry, and so risk being overbalanced by the cold and dry qualities of winter. Earthy herbs and spices such as cinnamon and ginger can help support an ungrounded vata dosha alongside keeping nice and warm and maintaining a regular sleeping pattern.
Spring
Kapha are most affected in spring, as the warmth of spring begins to thaw the cold of winter, leaving systems congested and overly damp and the onset of symptoms of hay fever and colds.
Pitta are balanced naturally at the onset of spring, but as the season warms up pitta dominant practitioners should resist the urge to engage in too many activities that will exacerbate their fiery nature.
Vata practitioner’s will feel very at home in the season of spring as movement and fresh growth erupt around them. Whilst this can be a very nourishing time for vata types, if they get swept up in the excitement it can result in depletion and exhaustion. Engage in practitioners that keep both feet planted firmly on the ground to ensure balance in growth and in sustenance.