All three doshas are present in everyone to some degree. How they appear, and in what proportion, is what makes each person unique. Usually one or two doshas predominate, dictating your tendencies in mind and body.
Pitta-Vata types will have combined characteristics of both Pitta and Vata dosha dominant in their nature. Some may notice more Pitta qualities in the mind and more Vata qualities in the body, while others will notice more Vata qualities in the mind and more Pitta qualities in the body. In general, you will have a relatively thin build, with good muscle tone. You will be less likely to approach the extremes of either dosha. That is, you won’t be as prone to anxiety or as physically fragile as a Vata type, or as prone to irritability or inflammation as a Pitta type.
You may also have stronger digestion than pure Vata types and greater tolerance for cold, since Pitta improves the circulation. Pure Vata types, who are extremely sensitive to their environment, often fall prey to their intolerance for noise, cold drafts, and physical discomfort, but this is less true of Pitta-Vatas. You may also notice you are a little more sensitive, spontaneous or playful than a pure Pitta type.
When out of balance, you may experience imbalances in both Pitta and Vata. For example, you may experience a tendency towards fear and anger, the negative emotions of the two doshas that are predominant in your constitution. When you’re out of balance and under stress, this combination may cause you to become tense, hard-driving, and insecure. For this reason, it’s important to create a daily balancing routine with practices to release stress and emotional turmoil, including meditation, physical exercise, and restful sleep.
As you learn more about the qualities of each dosha, you’ll be able to recognize when an imbalance arises in your mind or body in either one of your dominant doshas and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.