Overview
You might have one friend who insists on entering a marathon every weekend while another contently curls up with a book and a box of chocolates. Each of us has a unique constitution which regulates how our body operates. Our constitution is a combination of the three types of available energies, known as doshas.
What are the doshas, and what lifestyle is best to maintain each one?
First, a bit of grounding. Our world is made up of five elements – earth, fire, water, air, and ether. Cultures throughout the ages have understood this. We all have various combinations of those elements in us, which then leads us to have qualities of the three doshas. These doshas are believed to be responsible for a person’s physiological, mental, and emotional health. Most people have one dosha present as the primary.
Vata
The vata dosha defines a person who is primarily of the air and ether elements. People of this dosha are often creative and empathic – but they can also be easily distracted. Their mood can be negatively impacted by poor eating or overwhelming circumstances.
A steady routine helps to ground a person of the vata dosha. The repetitive sequences of meditation and yoga provide a framework for their life. Similarly, having a regular wake and sleep time is of great benefit.
For eating, a vata dosha benefits from calming foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Non-caffeinated drinks such as green tea can help as well.
Kapha
For a kapha person, they are guided by water and earth. They are generally steady and even-tempered. They tend to think before they act and to be compassionate toward others. They are often loyal and patient. On the challenges side, kapha people can become overweight and slow to progress because of these tendencies.
A person with a kapha dosha can often use some motivation to get out and active. They could find a style of activity which appeals to them, whether it’s walking with a friend or kayaking in a quiet pond. They could aim to eat healthy foods in moderation.
A kapha person can sometimes use an extra boost to their metabolism to give them energy. They could look for natural ways to achieve this, from seeking out lean proteins to avoiding added sugars.
Pitta
The pitta person is a combination primarily of fire with water. Think of billowing steam over a crackling flame. These people are often competitive, driven, and focused. They can steamroll toward success – but sometimes this means they are not fully attentive to people around them. They can be impatient with those who operate at a slower speed.
The pitta dosha person should look for ways to balance their drive with a mindfulness about the world around them. Meditations which work on loving-kindness, along with a mindful outlook toward their daily activities, can help immensely.
A pitta person already has enough natural energy bursting from them. They should avoid caffeine, sugar, and other artificial stimulants. They should focus on healthy grains, vegetables, and lean proteins to provide a steady, even source of fuel.
It is important to note that every one of us is a unique individual person. We all are made up of a specific combination of earth, fire, water, air, and ether. Two people may both consider themselves pitta dosha and yet be very far apart from each other in just how driven they are. They can manage their drive in quite different manners.
It’s important not to compare yourself with others. Examine your own personality and behavior. Think about how it was molded by your family, your friends, and your environment. Then start to take the steps to take advantage of your strengths and to work on your challenges.
Each of us has aspects of all five elements in us. Each of us can build on each advantage, to reach the very best version of our wonderfully unique being.
Which Dosha are you?
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