Ayurveda: Understanding Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas

Dosha Cards

• Vata Dosha consists of air and ether elements and occurs during the Fall/Early Winter.
• Vata Qualities: dry, light, cold, rough and mobile.
• The Subdoshas of Vata are Prana Vayu, Udana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Vyana Vayu and Apana Vayu.
• Imbalances of Vata can cause anxiety, constipation, dry skin, and insomnia.
• To balance Vata, incorporate warm, oily foods, establish routine and practce grounding exercises.
• Pitta Dosha has fire and water elements and occurs during the Summer.
• Pitta Qualities: hot, sharp, light, oily and liquid.
• The Subdoshas of Pitta are Pachaka, Ranjaka, Sadhaka, Alochaka and Bhrajaka.
• Imbalances of Pitta can cause acid reflux, inflammation, irritability and skin rashes.
• To balance Pitta, consume cooling foods like coconut and mint, practice moderation, and manage your stress.
• Kapha Dosha contains earth and water elements and occurs during the Late Winter/Spring.
• Kapha Qualities: heavy, slow, cool, oily, and dense.
• The Subdoshas of Kapha are Kledaka, Avalambaka, Bodhaka, Tarpaka and Shleshaka.
• Imbalances of Kapha can cause lethargy, weight gain, congestion, and edema.
• To balance Kapha, consume light, spicy foods, exercise and pursue stimulating activities.

Core Ayurvedic Terms

• Agni refers to the digestive fire that governs metabolism and transformation
• Types of Agni include Jatharagni (stomach), Bhutagni (elemental) and Dhatvagni (tissue).
• Ama describes toxins from undigested food and is the root of disease.
• Dhatus are the seven bodily tissues
• The 7 bodily tissues are Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (marrow) and Shukra (reproductive).
• Panchakarma is detox therapies that include Virechana (purging), Basti (enema), Nasya (nasal), Abhyanga (massage) and Swedana (steam).
• Dinacharya refers to daily routine aligning with circadian rhythms such as tongue scraping, and oil pulling.
• Rasa is taste, of which there are 6 types including sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent.
• Ritucharya are seasonal routines to balance doshas, for example, fasting in spring for Kapha.
• Srotas are bodily channels, an example being annavaha srotas which is the digestive tract.
• Triphala is an herbal formula of Haritaki, Amalaki, and Vibhitaki that supports digestion and detox.
• Trikatu is an herbal blend of ginger, black pepper, and long pepper that boosts Agni.

Seasonal Dosha Cycles

• Vata accumulates in the Summer, aggravates during the Rains, and pacifies in the Autumn.
• Pitta accumulates during the Rains, aggravates in the Autumn, and pacifies in the Early Winter.
• Kapha accumulates in the Winter, aggravates in the Spring, and pacifies in the Summer.

Key Principles

• "Like increases like" meaning doshas accumulate during their governing seasons.
• Opposites create balance: cold balances Pitta, warmth balances Vata, and lightness balances Kapha.
• Vata is pacified by sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
• Pitta is pacified by sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes.
• Kapha is pacified by pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes.