Ayurveda Body Types - Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Ayurveda Doshas

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, each human body is unique. There are three types of 'doshas', the Vata, the Pitta and the Kapha. Ayurveda makes the right knowledge of one's dosha an essential aspect of total self healing. Inside one's body, these three doshas rule over the physiological and physio-chemical activities and psychological traits. This is called the tridosha concept. A balance struck between the tridosha is vital for proper health.

The words are derived from Sanskrit and relate to the five elements of the universe of which the human body is a part. The Vata dosha is from air and space, Pitta dosha is from water (an aspect of it) and fire and Kapha dosha is from water and earth.

Vata: People with this dosha predominant are either very short or very tall, lean body constitution with thin and bony arms and legs. Their gait is fast with short steps. The face is long with the chin underdeveloped at times and lips which are tight or narrow; the teeth protrude and are irregular with receding gums. The nose is thin and small or occasionally long and asymmetrical/crooked; the eyes are small, narrow; the skin is thin and cool. The hair is dark, coarse, curly and thin. The speech is interrupted and fast though the voice is low and weak and maybe cracked. These people have weak memories but their mind is always restless. They are of a fearful and very sensitive nature and avoid any confrontation. They worry a lot and therefore have very short sleeps, for only 5-7 hours per day. They prove themselves more through sports and other activities which require creativity like arts and crafts.

Pitta: This type of dosha is evident in a person who has a good physique with well developed muscles and a purposeful gait of medium speed. The face is oval or heart-shaped with a pointed chin generally; the mouth is medium with lips and teeth of average size. The voice is loud and clear with no ambiguity in speech. The nose is average-sized, maybe pointed or may not be; the eyes tend to be of average size and are light in colour hazel, gray or blue. The skin overall is fair, warm, soft with tendency to freckles, moles and rashes. They tend also to perspire a lot. The hair is soft and reddish, and greys early in life. These people are alert, focused and easily provoked to anger. They are jealous, aggressive and easily irritable.

Kapha: The body constitution of people with this dosha is a large, well developed frame with limbs that are long. The face is full, rounded and large; the nose is big and rounded with a large mouth and full, big lips and big teeth. The voice is deep and the speech is slow but discrete. The eyes are light brown or blue or gray in colour. The hair is brown in colour, generally and thick and wavy in texture. Such people are quiet, calm, considerate and honourable. They do not get easily provoked but are difficult to calm once they are angry.

Ayurveda Body Types (Doshas)- Vata, Pitta, Kapha