Vata

Vata is a force conceptually made up of elements ether and air. The proportions of ether and air determine how active Vata is. Vata means "wind, to move, flow, direct the processes of, or command." Vata enables the other two doshas to be expressive. The actions of Vata are drying, cooling, light, agitating, and moving.

Vata governs breathing, blinking of the eyelids, movements in the muscles and tissues, pulsations in the heart, all expansion and contraction, the movements of cytoplasm and the cell membranes, and the movement of the single impulses in nerve cells. Vata also governs such feelings and emotions as freshness, nervousness, fear, anxiety, pain, tremors, and spasms.

The primary seat or location of the Vata in the body is the colon. It also resides in the hips, thighs, ears, bones, large intestine, pelvic cavity, and skin. It is related to the touch sensation. If the body develops an excess of vata, it will accumulate in these areas.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly Vata constitution.

• Creativity, mental quickness
• Highly imaginative
• Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge, but also quick to forget
• Slenderness; lightest of the three body types
• Talk and walk quickly
• Tendency toward cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates
• Excitable, lively, fun personality
• Changeable moods
• Irregular daily routine
• Variable appetite and digestive efficiency
• High energy in short bursts; tendency to tire easily and to overexert
• Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance
• Respond to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance
• Tendency to act on impulse
• Often have racing, disjointed thoughts
• Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don't perspire much

Typical health problems include headaches, hypertension, dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, anxiety, irregular heart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas, diarrhea, nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation and other sexual dys-functions, arthritis. Most neurological disorders are related to Vata imbalance.

Pitta

Pitta is a force created by the dynamic interplay of water and fire. These forces represent transformation. Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding.

The small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin are the seats of Pitta.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly Pitta body type.

• Medium physique, strong, well-built
• Sharp mind, good concentration powers
• Orderly, focused
• Assertive, self-confident, and entrepreneurial at their best; aggressive, demanding, pushy when out of balance
• Competitive, enjoy challenges
• Strong digestion, strong appetite; get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal
• Like to be in command
• When under stress, Pittas become irritated and angry
• Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns easily
• Hair usually fine and straight, tending toward blond or red, typically turns gray early; tendency toward baldness or thinning hair
• Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather; heat makes them very tired
• Perspire a lot
• Others may find them stubborn, pushy, opinionated
• Good public speakers; also capable of sharp, sarcastic, cutting speech
• Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become authoritarian
• Like to spend money, surround themselves with beautiful objects
• Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, and anger

Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid stomach, hot sensations in the stomach or intestines, insomnia, bloodshot or burning eyes and other vision problems, anemia, jaundice.

Kapha

Kapha is the conceptual equilibrium of water and earth. Kapha is structure and lubrication.

Kapha cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure. This dosha maintains body resistance. Water is the main constituent of kapha, and this bodily water is responsible physiologically for biological strength and natural tissue resistance in the body.

Kapha lubricates the joints; provides moisture to the skin; helps to heal wounds; fills the spaces in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability; supports memory retention; gives energy to the heart and lungs, and maintains immunity. The chest is the seat of kapha.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly Kapha constitution.

• Easy-going, relaxed, slow-paced
• Affectionate and loving
• Forgiving, compassionate, nonjudgmental nature
• Stable and reliable; faithful
• Physically strong and with a sturdy, heavier build
• Have the most energy of all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring, not explosive
• Slow moving and graceful
• Slow speech, reflecting a deliberate thought process
• Slower to learn, but never forgets; outstanding long-term memory
• Soft hair and skin; tendency to have large "soft" eyes and a low, soft voice
• Tend toward being overweight; may also suffer from sluggish digestion
• Prone to heavy, oppressive depressions
• More self-sufficient, need less outward stimulation than do the other types
• A mild, gentle, and essentially undemanding approach to life
• Excellent health, strong resistance to disease
• Slow to anger; strive to maintain harmony and peace in their surroundings
• Not easily upset and can be a point of stability for others
• Tend to be possessive and hold on to things, people, money; good savers.
• Don't like cold, damp weather

Physical problems include colds and congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems including asthma and wheezing, hay fever, allergies, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).