The three body types (doshas) are the foundation of ayurvedic medicine. They are based on the Five Elements and the natural qualities that they each possess. By understanding qualities, elements and doshas anyone can choose diet, lifestyle, herbs and other factors to balance disorders or fine-tune for optimum health.

Vata

Vata governs movement in the body: breathing, digestive movement, the nervous system, excretion, childbirth, ejaculation and others. It comprises the elements of Ether and Air.

Qualities: cold, subtle, light, active, dry, rough

Vata-predominant people usually have slight build with fine features, prominent joints, coarse dry hair and skin, and small dark restless eyes. They are active, creative, enthusiastic. They are the artists, dancers, idealists, the spiritual and sensitive healers.

When imbalanced, they tend towards wind, constipation, dry skin, cramps, nervous and bone problems, anxiety, insomnia.

To balance, they benefit from:

• staying warm, especially in Autumn and Winter
• eating warm, nourishing, unctuous foods with sweet, sour and salty tastes
• using warming spices like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom
• massaging with sesame oil
• having a stable, regular lifestyle
• avoiding suppression of natural urges such as sneezing, yawning, coughing, belching, urination, etc
• avoiding excess stimulation, travel, cold winds

Pitta

Pitta governs transformation in the body – digestion, metabolism, enzymes, hormones. It also governs the skin, eyes and intelligence. It comprises the elements of Fire (mainly) and Water.

Qualities: hot, light, sharp and penetrating, oily, flowing

Pitta-predominant people tend to be average in size, with a reddish, yellowish or flushed appearance. They can have green eyes with a focused gaze. The mental expressions are passion, intellligence, drive and ambition, and Pitta people are cheerful and organised. They are the managers, entrepreneurs, the life of the party.

When imbalanced, they tend towards irritability, anger, impatience; and loose stools, inflammations, skin problems, vision problems, and greying or thinning hair.

To balance, they benefit from:

• staying cool, especially in summer
• eating cooling foods with fresh, bitter, astringent and sweet tastes
• using cooling spices like cumin, coriander, fennel and mint
• avoiding excessive exposure to sun
• taking walks in nature
• scheduling time-out in their very busy activities
• doing calming activities like yoga and meditation

Kapha

Kapha governs growth, structure, lubrication and fluid metabolism in the body. The elements are Earth and Water.

Qualities: cool, heavy, slow, soft, dense, sticky

Kapha-predominant people tend to have big, strong structure and great fertility and endurance. They have rich, moist skin and hair; with large, soft, attractive eyes. They have a deep understanding of people, and are the pillars of society – caring, loving, patient, strong.

In imbalance, they tend towards slow digestion, weight problems, fluid retention, lung and head congestion; and their stickiness can tend towards jealousy, possessiveness, inability to change, and deep depression.

To balance, they benefit from:

• staying warm and dry, especially in Spring
• eating warm, light, dry foods with spicy, bitter and astringent tastes
• using hot spices like mustard, black pepper, ginger, cayenne
• regular vigorous exercise and sex!
• avoiding cold drinks, heavy dinners and day sleep

Everyone has all three doshas – in some one dosha is predominant, in some two; and rarely, all three doshas are equal. This means that keeping each dosha in balance can be a simple or complex skill, using seasonal routines. See a qualified ayurvedic practitioner for advice.

Images are from Ayurveda: A Life of Balance by Maya Tiwari, available from amazon.com