INTRODUCTION TO THE DOSHAS

According to Ayurveda, each of us has a unique mind-body type, known as a dosha. There are three primary doshas, known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each dosha is comprised of two of the five major elements: space, air, fire, water and earth. 

All of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) coexist in every living being from the bodily down to the cellular levels; rarely does one dosha predominate exclusively. Rather, a living being is a mixture of two or even three types, with one predominating dosha.  

The doshas work at the cellular level to balance, coordinate and function harmoniously. According to Ayurveda, apart from the results of physical injury or chemical insult, an imbalance of the doshas is – without exception – the origin of all illness.

Understanding your dosha reveals how to keep yourself in balance to stay happy, healthy and disease free.

WHAT IS AYURVEDA?

Ayurveda is India’s natural system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda provides a comprehensive approach to preventing and treating illness, using lifestyle interventions and natural therapies. Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life (Ayur = life or longevity, Veda = science or knowledge), focuses on maximizing health, and increasing longevity while helping individuals to realize their full spiritual potential.  

THE AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO WELLBEING

Two major principles exist behind the Ayurvedic approach to wellbeing:

• The body and mind are interconnected, with the mind leading the body in all aspects of life.
• The body can be healed of any illness when a person is aware of the power of the mind.

YOUR UNIQUE BODY TYPE

Your Ayurvedic body type that is based on a combination of the five elements— the same five elements that exist within the cosmos. This interlocking relationship is the key to understanding your own health and your impact on your environment and vice versa.

Knowing your Ayurvedic body type, or Prakriti, gives you insights, not only about the tendencies of your body, but also the tendencies of your mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Each body type differs from one another in its needs for diet, lifestyle, herbal remedies, exercise, and meditation.  

DISCOVER YOUR MIND-BODY TYPE 

When answering the questions below try to stay as objective as possible. Think about your whole life and not just your most recent conditions.  

If you suffer from a disease or a disorder, try to answer the questions based on how things were for you before that disorder. If more than one answer is applicable,  choose the one that applies the most.