Discover your dosha

The Vata dosha is predominant in your basic nature. Since Vata is the principle of movement and change, you will tend to always be on the go, with an energetic and creative mind. As long as Vata is in balance, you will be lively and enthusiastic, with a lean body.

If Vata becomes imbalanced in your mind-body system, your activity will start to feel out of control. Your mind may race, contributing to anxiety and insomnia. You may start skipping meals, resulting in unintended weight loss, and your digestion may become irregular. If you notice these early symptoms of a Vata imbalance, slow down, take time to meditate, don’t skip meals, and get to bed earlier. A regular lifestyle routine helps ground Vata so you are not carried away into the ethers.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

In general, Vata-Pitta types are thin in build, like the pure Vata type. Like your Vata counterparts, you are likely to be quick-moving, friendly, and talkative, but will tend to be more enterprising and have a sharper intellect (both Pitta traits). You will be less likely to approach the extremes of Vata. That is, you won’t be as prone to anxiety or as physically fragile. Your constitution gains overall stability from the influence of Pitta.

You will 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 Vata-Pittas. You may experience a tendency towards fear and anger, the negative emotions of the two doshas that predominate 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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

This type often has a hard time identifying itself because Vata and Kapha tend to be opposites. As a Vata-Kapha type, you most likely have the thin Vata frame combined with Kapha’s relaxed, easygoing manner – something no pure Vata ever displays. Since both the Vata and Kapha dosha are cold, you may strongly dislike cool or cold weather. These cold doshas may also cause you to experience irregular or slow digestion.

Unlike Vatas, who are always in motion, Vata-Kaphas project a sense of inner stability. You will tend to be even-tempered but may show Vata’s alarmed reactions when under stress. You are also likely to be quick and efficient when action is called for, yet have Kapha’s tendency to procrastinate when you’re not under an immediate deadline. You may also have Kapha’s predilection to store and save. Meditation, following a regular routine, exercise, and other mind-body practices will help you keep your doshas in balance.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

The Pitta dosha is predominant in your basic nature, giving you a tendency to be assertive and determined, with a muscular body and a penetrating mind. As long as Pitta is balanced in your mind-body constitution, you will enjoy a strong appetite and digestive powers.

When Pitta becomes imbalanced, heat begins to rise in the body and mind. Heartburn, ulcers, hypertension, and inflammatory conditions reflect excessive accumulation of the fire element. On the level of emotions, too much Pitta manifests as irritability and anger. These symptoms are signals to “chill.” Stop packing in too many things to do in too little time. Reduce your competitive activities, spend time in the inner quiet of meditation, and go for a walk in a natural setting that is soothing and cooling.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

As a Pitta-Vata, you will tend to have a medium build and be stronger and more muscular than Vata-Pittas, who are closer to the sinewy, bony physique of pure Vatas. You are likely to be quick in your movements, enjoy good stamina, and have an assertive manner. You have Pitta’s intensity combined (to a lesser degree) with Vata’s lightness. You welcome challenge and tackle problems enthusiastically and often aggressively. You will tend to have stronger digestion and more regular elimination than Vata-Pittas or Vatas.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

Kapha is such a strong structural element that it lends its thick, heavier physique to two-dosha types, even when it is not the predominant of the two doshas. As a Pitta-Kapha, you may have Pitta’s intense manner and Kapha’s solid body.You are more muscular than Pitta-Vatas and may even be quite bulky. This is a particularly good body type for athletes since it combines Pitta’s drive and energy with Kapha’s endurance. You may find it hard to miss a meal.

The combination of a strong Pitta digestion and Kapha’s stability generally fosters excellent physical health. Your personality may demonstrate Kapha stability and Pitta force, complete with a tendency towards anger and criticism that is far different from the serenity of a pure Kapha. You can keep this tendency in check with mind-body practices that “cool” the mind and balance the body, including meditation, optimal nutrition, and spending time in nature.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

The Kapha dosha is predominant in your basic nature, giving you a deep sense of stability and inner calm. Your body will tend to be heavyset and strong, and you will enjoy excellent stamina and energy.

When Kapha becomes imbalanced, however, it can manifest in your body as excess weight gain, fluid retention, and allergies. On the level of the mind, excess Kapha can lead to resistance to change and stubbornness. If you have a Kapha imbalance, you will tend to hold on to things, jobs, habits, and relationships long after they are no longer nourishing or necessary. To lighten the heaviness of Kapha, be sure to get regular physical exercise. Eat light, spicy foods, and give away things you have been accumulating that you know you’ll never use.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

As a Kapha-Vata, you may have Kapha’s solid build and even temper, and are probably more relaxed than Vata-Kapha types, with fewer Vata flights of fancy. You will also tend to be more athletic and have greater stamina. Unlike Vatas, who are always in motion, you are more likely to possess a sense of inner stability that comes from the Kapha influence in your constitution. Since both doshas are cold, you may strongly dislike cold weather. These cold doshas may also cause you to experience irregular or slow digestion.

When you’re under stress, you may experience Kapha’s tendency to withdraw or procrastinate. On the other hand, Vata’s influence may also cause you to feel anxious or jump into action when you’re feeling pressured. Meditating, following a regular routine, exercise, and other mind-body practices will help you keep your doshas in balance.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

Kapha is such a strong structural element that it lends its thick, heavier physique to two-dosha types, even when it is not the predominant of the two doshas. As a Kapha-Pitta, your Kapha characteristics are stronger than your Pitta tendencies, though both are predominant in your constitutional type.

You will tend to be muscular and enjoy Kapha’s stamina and steady energy. You are likely to move more slowly and to be more relaxed than Pitta-Kaphas. You will also have a higher ratio of fat than Pitta-Kaphas or Pittas and may have a rounder face and body. If you exercise regularly, you will offset Kapha’s tendency towards inertia.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.

In Ayurveda, you are considered a “tri-doshic” or “three-dosha” type because you have a balanced ratio of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in your mind-body constitution. The three-dosha type is extremely rare and can be considered a gift because having a balance of the three doshas gives you a sturdy constitution. You will tend to have a strong immune system and enjoy overall good health and longevity.

Even though you have a natural tendency to maintain a healthy equilibrium of the three constitutional forces within you, it is still possible for your doshas to go out of balance. For example, if you have been dealing with an unusual amount of stress, not getting enough sleep, and eating unhealthy food on the run, your Vata may go out of balance and manifest in symptoms of anxiety, digestive issues, and difficulty focusing.

The good news is that with a tri-doshic constitution, it’s easier for you to maintain equilibrium by living a balanced lifestyle with plenty of restful sleep, exercise, daily time for meditation, healthy meals that include the six Ayurvedic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent), time with family and friends, and work or activities that give you a sense of purpose and joy. It’s also important to pay attention to the seasons and environment in which you live, as these have an influence on the balance of the doshas.

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 and take steps in your daily life to restore overall well-being.