Foundations

Doshas & Constitution

Doshas and constitution in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, their qualities, and the theory of prakriti, your individual constitution.

Doshas & Constitution Alochaka Pitta Alochaka Pitta, the subdosha seated in the eyes: how it governs sight and the reception of light and colour, and where it fits among Pitta's five parts. Read article Doshas & Constitution Apana Vata Apana Vata explained: the downward-moving Vata subdosha seated in the pelvis that governs elimination, menstruation and birth, and how to keep it steady. Read article Doshas & Constitution Avalambaka Kapha Avalambaka Kapha explained: the Kapha subdosha in the chest and heart that supports them, moistens the lungs and lends steadiness to the whole body. Read article Doshas & Constitution Bhrajaka Pitta Bhrajaka Pitta explained: the skin-seated subdosha of Pitta that governs complexion, lustre, colour and the warmth and absorption of the skin. Read article Doshas & Constitution Bi-Doshic Imbalance Bi-doshic imbalance is when two doshas rise together. Learn how the classical texts read this common state and how the tradition settles both at once. Read article Doshas & Constitution Bodhaka Kapha Bodhaka Kapha explained: the subdosha seated in the mouth and tongue that governs taste and moistens food, one of the five divisions of Kapha. Read article Doshas & Constitution Can Prakriti Change? The Ayurvedic View Can prakriti change? Ayurveda says no: your constitution is fixed at conception. Learn how it differs from vikriti, the current state, and why it matters. Read article Doshas & Constitution Can You Have Two Doshas? Can you have two doshas? Yes. Discover the dvandvaja Prakriti, the dual constitution Ayurveda calls the most common type, and how it shapes body and mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution Can Your Dosha Change Over Time? Your Prakriti, the constitution you are born with, does not change, but your Vikriti, the current balance of the doshas, shifts with age, season and diet. Read article Doshas & Constitution Common Mistakes Finding Your Dosha Mistakes finding your dosha: avoid confusing your current state with your constitution or forcing one type, and read it the way the texts intend. Read article Doshas & Constitution Deha Prakriti: The Physical Constitution Deha prakriti, your physical constitution set at birth: understand the Vata, Pitta and Kapha body types, dual types, and how the tradition reads them. Read article Doshas & Constitution Do the Doshas Change With Age? Doshas and age in Ayurveda: your Prakriti stays fixed, but the leading dosha shifts through Kapha childhood, Pitta adulthood and Vata later life. Read article Doshas & Constitution Dosha and Personality: The Mind Types Dosha and personality in Ayurveda: how Vata, Pitta and Kapha mind types think, feel and act, and how Sattva, Rajas and Tamas colour the mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution Dual Dosha Constitution Dual dosha constitution explained: the common two-dosha types where two of Vata, Pitta and Kapha lead together, and how the texts read and balance them. Read article Doshas & Constitution How a Dosha Test Works How a dosha test works: the Prakriti questionnaire scores your Vata, Pitta and Kapha traits across body and mind. Learn what it reveals and what it cannot. Read article Doshas & Constitution How Are the Doshas Determined? How the doshas are determined in Ayurveda: reading build, appetite, sleep, energy and temperament, plus the pulse, to name your constitution. Read article Doshas & Constitution How Do I Know if I Am Kapha? How do I know if I am Kapha? A solid build, cool moist skin, steady energy, slow reliable digestion and a calm, patient temperament point to Kapha. Read article Doshas & Constitution How Do I Know if I Am Pitta? How do I know if I am Pitta? Look for the fiery signs: a warm medium build, strong appetite, sharp focused mind, and a tendency to heat and impatience. Read article Doshas & Constitution How Do I Know if I Am Vata? How do I know if I am Vata? Look for a light, lean frame, dry skin, cold hands, quick changeable energy and a lively, restless mind, Vata's classic traits. Read article Doshas & Constitution How Many Dosha Types Are There? There are seven dosha types in Ayurveda: three single, three dual and one balanced tridoshic constitution. Learn how the three doshas combine. Read article Doshas & Constitution How Prakriti Is Determined at Birth How prakriti is determined at conception: the factors the Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas name, and why Ayurveda holds the constitution fixed for life. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Balance Kapha Dosha How to balance Kapha: meet its heavy, cold, oily and static qualities with light, warm, dry and stimulating food, brisk activity and early rising. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Balance Pitta Dosha How to balance pitta, made plain: meet its hot, sharp, sour qualities with cool, sweet, mild food, steady routine and a calmer, unhurried temperament. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Balance Pitta-Kapha How to balance Pitta-Kapha: bring light, less oily food freely since both share heaviness, cool Pitta while warming Kapha carefully, and stay active. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Balance Two Doshas at Once Balance two doshas at once: a plain guide using the classical rules of shared and opposing qualities, the season, and the dosha now disturbed. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Balance Vata Dosha How to balance Vata: meet its dry, cold, light and mobile qualities with warmth, oil, nourishment and routine through diet, Dinacharya and Abhyanga. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Balance Vata-Kapha How to balance Vata-Kapha: bring warmth freely since both are cold, hold a moderate middle between dry Vata and heavy Kapha, and let the season lead. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Balance Vata-Pitta How to balance Vata-Pitta: bring grounding food freely since both are light, keep warmth moderate as they differ in temperature, and let the season lead. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Determine Your Dosha How to determine your dosha in Ayurveda: read the body and mind, use the questionnaire, and see how a practitioner assesses your constitution by hand. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Find Your Dosha (Prakriti) Learn how to find your dosha in Ayurveda: what Vata, Pitta and Kapha are, how to read your Prakriti, and a free dosha test to get started. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Increase Kapha When It Is Low How to increase Kapha when it is low: the classical measures for Kapha kshaya, using nourishing, sweet and unctuous food, warm milk and good rest. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Increase Pitta When It Is Low How to increase Pitta when it is low: the classical measures for Pitta kshaya, using warming, sour and pungent food and warm drinks to rekindle Agni. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Increase Vata When It Is Low How to increase Vata when it is low: the classical measures for Vata kshaya, using lighter, drier food, the pungent and bitter tastes and more movement. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Reduce Kapha Dosha How to reduce Kapha dosha: lighten and warm the diet, cut heavy, cold and sweet foods, rise early and add vigorous movement to shift the sluggish dosha. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Reduce Pitta Dosha How to reduce Pitta dosha: cut the spicy, sour, salty and fried foods that heat it, favour cooling sweet and bitter tastes, and slow a driven pace. Read article Doshas & Constitution How to Reduce Vata Dosha How to reduce Vata dosha: lower its dry, cold, mobile qualities with warm cooked food, regular meals and sleep, warmth, rest and daily warm-oil massage. Read article Doshas & Constitution Is Kapha Hot or Cold? Is Kapha hot or cold? Kapha is cold, formed of earth and water. It shares its cold quality with Vata, while Pitta alone is the hot dosha. Read article Doshas & Constitution Is Pitta Hot or Cold? Is Pitta hot or cold? Pitta is hot: the only dosha that carries heat, the body's sole source of warmth, formed from fire and water in the texts. Read article Doshas & Constitution Is Vata Hot or Cold? Is Vata hot or cold? Vata is cold: coldness is one of its six defining qualities, which is why Vata types feel the cold and warm slowly. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha and Body Weight Kapha and weight in Ayurveda: why the heavy, dense, stable dosha tends to a solid frame that gains easily, and how lightness and movement keep it steady. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha and Digestion Kapha and digestion: Kapha lubricates the stomach and sets a slow, steady digestive fire, showing in excess as heaviness after meals and a dull appetite. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha and Sleep Kapha and sleep: Kapha governs deep, sound, restorative rest, so Kapha types sleep long and heavily, tending in excess to oversleeping and grogginess. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha and the Hair Kapha and hair in Ayurveda: why the heavy, oily, stable dosha gives thick, strong, lustrous hair, and how lightness and warmth keep it balanced. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha and the Mind Kapha and the mind: Kapha gives mental steadiness, calm and deep memory, tending in excess to fog, dullness and low motivation, eased by learning. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha and the Skin Kapha and the skin: Kapha gives skin its moisture, softness and thickness, ageing slowly, and in excess tends to an oily, congested or damp, heavy feel. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha and Your Energy Kapha and energy in Ayurveda: why the dosha of structure gives deep, steady, enduring stamina, how it turns to heaviness, and how movement rouses it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha Dosha Kapha dosha is the principle of structure in Ayurvedic physiology, giving the body form, stability, lubrication and its steady reserve. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha Dosha Characteristics Kapha dosha characteristics in Ayurveda: the heavy, cool, oily, stable qualities, the traits of a Kapha constitution, and the signs of balance and excess. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha Kshaya: Signs of Decreased Kapha Kapha kshaya explained: the state of decreased Kapha, where structure and lubrication fall below measure, showing as dryness, weakness and looseness. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha Personality and Mind The Kapha personality is calm, steady, patient and affectionate, loyal and slow to change, with good memory and a forgiving, grounded nature. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kapha Prakriti: The Kapha Constitution Type Kapha Prakriti, the constitution where Kapha leads from birth: its basis in Charaka Vimanasthana 8, its body and mind traits, and how to keep it balanced. Read article Doshas & Constitution Kledaka Kapha Kledaka Kapha: the Kapha subdosha seated in the stomach that moistens and softens food, protecting the lining and readying it for the digestive fire. Read article Doshas & Constitution Manasa Prakriti: The Mental Constitution Manasa prakriti, the mental constitution cast in Sattva, Rajas and Tamas: learn the sixteen classical types and how they differ from the body type. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pachaka Pitta Pachaka Pitta, the digestive fire of the body: the first of the five Pitta subdoshas, seated at the stomach where it cooks food and separates the waste. Read article Doshas & Constitution Physical Signs of Each Dosha Physical signs of each dosha: the build, skin, hair, eyes, teeth and complexion the classical texts connect with a Vata, Pitta or Kapha constitution. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta and Body Weight Pitta and weight in Ayurveda: how the fire of metabolism gives a medium frame and strong appetite, and how the tradition keeps its digestion steady. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta and Digestion Pitta and digestion are inseparable: Pitta is the digestive fire, Agni, and its balance decides whether digestion is strong and clean or sharp and burning. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta and Sleep Pitta and sleep: a balanced Pitta sleeps soundly but briefly, while high Pitta wakes in the hot midnight hours with a busy, overheated mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta and the Hair Pitta and hair in Ayurveda: why the hot, sharp dosha shapes fine, soft hair prone to early greying, and the classical care of cooling foods and oils. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta and the Mind Pitta and the mind: Sadhaka Pitta gives a sharp, clear, courageous intellect in balance, and impatience and irritability when the fiery dosha runs high. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta and the Skin Pitta and the skin: Bhrajaka Pitta governs the complexion, giving warm, radiant skin in balance and heat, redness and sensitivity when Pitta runs high. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta and Your Energy Pitta and energy in Ayurveda: why the dosha of transformation gives focused, driving stamina, how it overheats into overwork, and how cooling settles it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta Dosha The principle of transformation in Ayurvedic physiology, governing digestion, metabolism, body heat and the sharpness of the mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta Dosha Characteristics A full guide to Pitta dosha characteristics: the fiery qualities of Pitta, the traits of a Pitta constitution, and the signs of balance and aggravation. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta Kshaya: Signs of Decreased Pitta Pitta kshaya explained: the state of decreased Pitta where the fire of digestion falls low, showing as weak appetite, cold and a dull complexion. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta Personality and Mind Pitta personality traits: sharp, focused and ambitious in balance, the fiery mind runs to intensity, impatience and a quick temper when it overheats. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta Prakriti: The Pitta Constitution Type Pitta Prakriti explained: the constitution where Pitta predominates from birth, its physical and mental traits, and how the tradition keeps it in balance. Read article Doshas & Constitution Pitta-Kapha Constitution Guide The Pitta-Kapha constitution joins Pitta's hot, sharp qualities with Kapha's heavy, stable, oily ones. See its traits, and how to read and settle it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Prakriti and Disease Tendency in Ayurveda Prakriti and disease tendency in Ayurveda: how each constitution leans toward the imbalances of its dominant dosha, with the logic and honest limits. Read article Doshas & Constitution Prakriti vs Vikriti in Ayurveda Prakriti vs Vikriti in Ayurveda: prakriti is your unchanging natural constitution, vikriti your current imbalance, and all classical care rests on this. Read article Doshas & Constitution Prakriti: The Ayurvedic Constitution Prakriti in Ayurveda: the fixed balance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha you are born with, how it is assessed, and how it differs from a passing imbalance. Read article Doshas & Constitution Prana Vata Prana vata, the first subdosha of Vata: how it governs breath, the senses and the mind, seated in the head and moving in the chest and throat. Read article Doshas & Constitution Ranjaka Pitta A full explanation of Ranjaka Pitta, the subdosha of Pitta that colours the blood, its seat, its function and what its balance and imbalance mean. Read article Doshas & Constitution Sadhaka Pitta Sadhaka Pitta, the subdosha seated in the heart and mind: how it governs intellect, emotion and the fulfilment of one's aims, and how to keep it steady. Read article Doshas & Constitution Samana Vata Samana vata, the subdosha seated at the navel: how it governs the digestive fire, moving food through the gut and parting nourishment from waste. Read article Doshas & Constitution Signs of Aggravated Kapha (Kapha Vriddhi) Signs of aggravated Kapha, or Kapha Vriddhi: what shows when the heavy, cold, oily dosha rises, its common causes, and what settles the heaviness. Read article Doshas & Constitution Signs of Aggravated Pitta (Pitta Vriddhi) Signs of aggravated Pitta, or Pitta Vriddhi: what shows when the hot, sharp dosha rises, its common causes, and the measures that settle the heat. Read article Doshas & Constitution Signs of Aggravated Vata (Vata Vriddhi) Signs of aggravated Vata (Vata Vriddhi): when the dry, light, cold, mobile dosha rises, its qualities intensify in body and mind. See the signs and causes. Read article Doshas & Constitution Signs of Kapha Imbalance The signs of Kapha imbalance: heaviness, lethargy, congestion, sluggish digestion, water retention and a mind grown dull, complacent or slow to change. Read article Doshas & Constitution Signs of Pitta Imbalance Signs of Pitta imbalance are signs of excess heat: a sharp burning appetite, acidity, flushed skin, red eyes, excess heat and a sharp, irritable mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution Signs of Vata Imbalance Signs of Vata imbalance: dry skin, constipation, wind and bloating, cold hands and feet, broken sleep, restlessness and worry, the dry, cold picture. Read article Doshas & Constitution Signs Your Doshas Are Balanced Signs your doshas are balanced in Ayurveda: good digestion, sound sleep, steady energy, clear senses and a calm mind, and how the tradition reads them. Read article Doshas & Constitution Sleshaka Kapha A full explanation of Sleshaka Kapha, the subdosha of Kapha that lubricates the joints, its seat, its function and what its balance means for the body. Read article Doshas & Constitution Tarpaka Kapha Tarpaka Kapha is the nourishing Kapha of the head, one of five subdoshas, seated in the brain and senses where it moistens, cushions and steadies the mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Best Daily Routine for Kapha The best daily routine for Kapha is early, active and light: rise before dawn, exercise briskly, avoid daytime sleep and eat light, warm meals. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Best Daily Routine for Pitta The best daily routine for Pitta keeps its fire cool and steady: regular meals with a midday main meal, cool-hour exercise and a calm, early night. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Best Daily Routine for Vata The best daily routine for Vata: regular waking and sleep, warm meals on time, warm-oil massage and a calm, unhurried pace to steady the mobile dosha. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Five Kapha Subdoshas A guide to the five Kapha subdoshas, the divisions of Kapha, Kledaka, Avalambaka, Bodhaka, Tarpaka and Shleshaka, their seats and functions in the body. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Five Pitta Subdoshas A clear guide to the five Pitta subdoshas, the divisions of Pitta named in the classical texts, their seats in the body and what each governs. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Five Vata Subdoshas Vata subdoshas explained: Prana, Udana, Samana, Vyana and Apana, the five divisions of wind that govern breath, speech, digestion and elimination. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Kapha Body Type Explained The Kapha body type is solid, sturdy and strong, with a broad frame, cool moist skin, thick lustrous hair and a tendency to gain weight easily. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Pitta Body Type Explained The Pitta body type is a warm, medium, well-built frame with strong digestion, fair sensitive skin, fine early-greying hair and a sharp, driven mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Seven Prakriti Types in Ayurveda The seven Prakriti types in Ayurveda: three single-dosha, three dual and one balanced constitution, each explained with its basis and how it is read. Read article Doshas & Constitution The Vata Body Type Explained The Vata body type: a light, lean, fine-boned frame with dry skin, cold hands, prominent joints and quick movement, shaped by Vata's dry, light qualities. Read article Doshas & Constitution Tridoshic Constitution: The Balanced Type Tridoshic constitution: the rare balanced type where Vata, Pitta and Kapha sit close to equal, how the texts describe it, and how it is kept steady. Read article Doshas & Constitution Udana Vata Udana Vata explained: the upward-moving subdosha seated in chest and throat that governs speech, effort, memory, complexion and vital strength. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata and Body Weight Vata and weight in Ayurveda: why the light, dry, mobile dosha tends to a lean frame, how irregular Agni unsettles it, and how the tradition steadies it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata and Digestion Vata and digestion: Vata governs the movement of the gut and rules the colon, so high Vata brings wind, bloating, irregular appetite and constipation. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata and Sleep Vata and sleep: because Vata is light and mobile, it brings light, broken sleep and a restless mind, settled by warmth, routine and warm-oil massage. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata and the Hair Vata and hair in Ayurveda: why the dry, light, rough dosha shapes fine, dry hair, what raised Vata looks like, and the classical care of oil and warmth. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata and the Mind Vata and the mind: Vata governs thought and imagination, giving quickness and creativity in balance, and restlessness or worry when the dosha is high. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata and the Skin Vata and the skin: Vata's dry, cold, rough qualities give thin, dry skin that chaps and ages early, answered by oil, warmth and nourishing food. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata and Your Energy Vata and energy in Ayurveda: why the dosha of movement gives quick, lively bursts rather than steady stamina, and how routine, warmth and Ojas settle it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata Dosha The principle of movement in Ayurvedic physiology, governing breath, circulation and the nervous activity of the body. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata Dosha Characteristics Vata dosha characteristics, explained: the dry, light, cold, mobile qualities of Vata and the physical and mental traits the texts connect to it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata Kshaya: Signs of Decreased Vata Vata Kshaya, the classical state of decreased Vata: how the dry, light, mobile principle falls low, showing as dullness, heaviness and weak movement. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata Personality and Mind The Vata personality: quick, creative, lively and enthusiastic, with a changeable mind that tends to worry or restlessness when the dosha is unsettled. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata Prakriti: The Vata Constitution Type Vata Prakriti explained: the constitution where Vata predominates from birth, its physical and mental traits, and how the tradition keeps it balanced. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata-Kapha Constitution: Traits and Diet Vata-Kapha constitution: the dual type joining the light, mobile, cold Vata with the heavy, oily, stable Kapha, and how the texts read and settle it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vata-Pitta Constitution Guide The Vata-Pitta constitution joins Vata's light, mobile qualities with Pitta's hot, sharp ones. See its traits, and how to read and settle the type. Read article Doshas & Constitution Vyana Vata Vyana Vata explained: the subdosha governing circulation and movement through the whole body, driving the heartbeat, blood flow and every gesture. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Aggravates Kapha What aggravates Kapha: the heavy, cold, oily, sweet and static factors of food, season, sleep and habit that classical texts hold raise the dosha. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Aggravates Pitta What aggravates pitta, made plain: the hot, sharp, sour and oily foods, seasons, habits and moods the classics hold to raise Pitta out of balance. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Aggravates Vata: The Causes What aggravates Vata: the dry, cold, light and mobile factors of food, season, age and habit that the classical texts hold to raise the dosha. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Are the Three Doshas? The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the principles of movement, transformation and structure that govern body and mind in Ayurveda. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Causes Kapha Imbalance? What causes Kapha imbalance: an excess of its own heavy, cold, oily and sweet qualities, from rich food, too little movement and damp weather. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Causes Pitta Imbalance? What causes Pitta imbalance: an excess of heat and sourness, from spicy food and sun to overwork and anger, drives the fiery dosha above its measure. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Causes Vata Imbalance? What causes Vata imbalance? Cold and raw food, undereating, irregular routine, travel, overwork and worry all raise the dry, light, mobile dosha. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Does Kapha Mean in Ayurveda? What does Kapha mean? In Ayurveda Kapha is the earth-and-water dosha of structure, the principle that binds, moistens and holds the body together. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Does Pitta Mean in Ayurveda? What does Pitta mean? Pitta is traced to the root tap, to heat or burn, and names the Ayurvedic principle of transformation, made of fire and water. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Does Vata Mean in Ayurveda? What does Vata mean? Vata comes from the Sanskrit root va, to move or blow, and names the Ayurvedic principle of movement, made of air and space. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is a Dosha in Ayurveda? A dosha in Ayurveda is one of three principles, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, built from the elements. Learn what they are and why they matter to health. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is a Pitta-Kapha Constitution? A Pitta-Kapha constitution is a dual Prakriti led by Pitta and Kapha, blending warmth, sharpness and drive with strength, steadiness and stamina. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is a Tridoshic Constitution? A tridoshic constitution, or sama Prakriti, is one in which Vata, Pitta and Kapha sit in roughly equal proportion. Learn its traits and why it is rare. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is a Vata-Kapha Constitution? A Vata-Kapha constitution is a dual Prakriti led by Vata and Kapha, blending lightness, quickness and creativity with calm, strength and steadiness. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is a Vata-Pitta Constitution? A Vata-Pitta constitution is a dual Prakriti led by Vata and Pitta, blending lightness, quickness and creativity with warmth, sharpness and drive. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is Kapha Dosha? What is Kapha dosha? Kapha is the Ayurvedic principle of structure, formed from earth and water, giving the body substance, moisture, cohesion and calm. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is My Dominant Dosha? Your dominant dosha is the one of Vata, Pitta or Kapha that leads your constitution. Learn how to read it from your body, mind and lifelong patterns. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is Pitta Dosha? What is Pitta dosha? Pitta is the Ayurvedic principle of transformation, made of fire and water, governing digestion, metabolism, body heat and the mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is the Rarest Dosha? The rarest dosha constitution is the balanced tridoshic type, in which Vata, Pitta and Kapha sit in roughly equal proportion. Ayurveda explains why. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is Vata Dosha? What is Vata dosha? Vata is the Ayurvedic principle of movement, made of air and space, governing breath, circulation and all motion of body and mind. Read article Doshas & Constitution What Is Vikriti? Dosha Imbalance What is vikriti in Ayurveda? Your current state of dosha imbalance, read against your constitution. Learn how it differs from prakriti and how it is read. Read article Doshas & Constitution Where Is Pitta in the Body? Where is Pitta in the body? Its main seat is the small intestine and the digestive fire, with further seats in the liver, blood, eyes and skin. Read article Doshas & Constitution Where Is Vata in the Body? Where is Vata in the body? Its main seat is the colon and lower abdomen, with further seats in the pelvis, bones, ears and skin governing all movement. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Dosha to Balance First Which dosha to balance first when two lead your constitution: use the classical signs of imbalance, the mobility of Vata, the season and time of life. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Emotions Belong to Pitta? Pitta emotions in Ayurveda: the driven feelings the tradition links with the fiery dosha, from courage and clarity to anger and irritability. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Emotions Belong to Vata? Vata emotions in Ayurveda: the changeable feelings the tradition links with the mobile dosha, from enthusiasm and delight to worry, fear and restlessness. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Season Aggravates Kapha? Which season aggravates Kapha? Spring aggravates Kapha most, after it accumulates through winter, as the sun melts cold, heavy build-up into congestion. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Season Aggravates Pitta? Which season aggravates Pitta? Classically Pitta gathers through the heat of summer and the rains, then peaks in autumn as the stored heat is released. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Season Aggravates Vata? Which season aggravates Vata? The cold, dry, windy season of late autumn and early winter, whose rough, mobile, cold qualities mirror Vata's own. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Tastes Balance Kapha? Which tastes balance Kapha? The pungent, bitter and astringent tastes settle Kapha, being light, dry and heating, while sweet, sour and salty increase it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Tastes Balance Pitta? Which tastes balance Pitta? The sweet, bitter and astringent tastes cool the fiery dosha, while the pungent, sour and salty tastes heat and aggravate it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Which Tastes Balance Vata? Which tastes balance Vata? The sweet, sour and salty tastes, being warm, moist and grounding, settle Vata, while pungent, bitter and astringent raise it. Read article Doshas & Constitution Why Is My Kapha Aggravated? Why is my Kapha aggravated: usually habit and season, rich or cold food, overeating, daytime sleep, too little movement and the damp of spring. Read article Doshas & Constitution Why Is My Pitta Aggravated? Why is my Pitta aggravated? Usually an excess of heat: spicy and sour food, sun, skipped meals, coffee, overwork or anger all raise the fiery dosha. Read article Doshas & Constitution Why Is My Vata Aggravated? Why is my Vata aggravated? Usually irregular meals and sleep, cold or raw food, travel, overwork and worry, the dry, cold, mobile factors that raise Vata. Read article