The Concept of Dosha

• The concept of dosha is not unlike the concept of chi or of yin and yang. The doshas are forces that are made up of combinations of the five Ayurvedic elements (fire, water, earth, air and ether or space). There are three doshas; Pitta, Vata and Kapha. Together, the doshas are known as tridosha. These forces are said to be present in all living things. The doshas are constantly rebalancing themselves based on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, taste, smell, color and sound. Ayurvedic medicine holds that these doshas can cause illness and emotional distress when they are unbalanced. However, when a person's doshas are in optimum balance, that person will be healthy and happy. The whole of Ayurvedic medicine rests on the principle of balancing the doshas according to individual need.
  
  

Vata

• Vata is associated with ether, or space, and air. It is thought to be the force that allows the other doshas to work. The seat, or main area, of Vata is said to be the colon, but is also resides in the hips, thighs, bones, pelvic cavity and ears. Vata is believed to govern breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, heartbeat and the impulses of nerve cells. Too much Vata is believed to result in nerve irritation, high blood pressure, gas and mental confusion. Too little, on the other hand, can lead to congestion, constipation and thoughtlessness. Emotions associated with unbalanced Vata are nervousness, fear and anxiety. The life stage associated with Vata is old age, when people tend to shrink and shrivel up. In plants, Vata is associated with leaves and flowers.
  
  

Pitta

• Pitta is a combination of water and fire. It governs digestion, metabolism, body temperature, skin color and intelligence. Pitta is said to be found in the small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, skin and eyes. Too much Pitta is thought to result in ulcers, hormonal imbalances, skin irritations and consuming emotions. It can lead to anger and jealousy. Too little Pitta is characterized by indigestion, sluggish metabolism and poor cognition. The life stages associated with Pitta are the teenage years and adulthood, when hormones are causing changes in the body and moods. Kapha is said to be found in the essential oils, sap and resins of plants.
  
  

Kapha

• Kapha is a mixture of water and earth. Practitioners of Ayurveda believe that Kapha is responsible for the balance or "stirring" of the doshas, and acts as a kind of cement, providing physical structure and stability. This dosha is said to lubricate joints, bolster immunity, heal wounds, provide moisture to the skin and eyes and give energy to the heart and lungs. The seat of Kapha is the chest, but it is also found in the throat, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach, joints and bodily secretions. Too much Kapha is associated with mucous buildup and mental fixation. Too little may result in a dry respiratory tract, a burning sensation in the stomach and an inability to concentrate. Kapha is associated with childhood, when the body is growing and increasing in physical substance. It is found in the roots of plants.
  
  

Prakruti and Vikruti

• Everyone is thought to be born with their own specific balance of doshas. This natural balance is known as Prakruti, and represents a person's natural optimum state of health. Ayurveda practitioners believe that it is Prakruti that accounts for the differences between individual's personality and predilections; everyone is different based on the respective quantities of their doshas. However, Prakruti does not necessarily remain unchanged. According to Ayurvedic principles, the balance of an individual's doshas will change based on environmental factors. The current state of an individual's doshas at any given time is known as Vikruti. A person's Vikruti, it is believed, can be brought back into alignment with their Prakruti through Ayurvedic medicine. The closer a person's dosha balance is to their Prakruti, the happier and healthier they are thought to be.