The Three Doshas of Ayurveda

The tripartite classification system of Ayurveda helps define the needs of each individual. Defining a person’s unique composition and how that unique composition interacts with the influences of environment and lifestyle are the key to healthful living. Recognizing and responding to the effects that geographical location, seasons, diet, exercise, and stress have on a unique individual will produce significantly better health and well-being than abiding by the more generically defined needs of the general public.

Ayurveda deems your health is directly dependent on the balance of these three Doshas within your physiology. This approach forms the backbone of Ayurvedic practice. Recognizing the composition of the three Doshas in your body and lifestyle will help you to stay healthy.

Your Dosha Profile

The three Doshas exist in everyone. However, the proportion of these three Doshas is not the same in every person and also does not stay constant for the same person. The exact combination of the three Doshas in you is your blueprint or ‘prakriti,’ which determines your personality and your tendency to specific imbalances.

Skin Type

Each Dosha skin type displays unique characteristics. When in balance, all skin types emanate health, yet each skin type tends toward particular weaknesses. When imbalanced, these weaknesses manifest in a variety of skin problems.

Vata (for dry skin)

Air and Space combine to form Vata Dosha. Dynamic in its composition, Vata controls delivery body functions, such as transmission of impulses and food.

Vata skin is typically fair, thin, dry or aged. Persons with Vata skin need more nourishing and hydrating products to counterbalance dryness, aging and the effects of the environment. It is common for individuals over the age of 50 to develop Vata type skin, prone to wrinkles, fine lines and other effects of aging. Relaxing, hydrating and protecting products help calm delicate Vata skin, aid the healing process and shield skin from environmental stresses.

Pitta (for combination skin)
Fire and Water combine to form Pitta Dosha. Transformative in its composition, Pitta is involved in metabolism, such as digestion of food and hormonal activity.

Pitta skin is typically fair to medium skin with red tones, freckles and moles. Pitta skin is typically combination skin and/or sensitive skin prone to acting “upset” when not in balance. Aggravated Pitta skin may display oiliness, dryness, acne, eczema, psoriasis, red tones (rosacea), etc. Gentle cleansing, soothing and hypo-allergenic products help maintain healthy Pitta skin.

Kapha (for oily skin)

Water and Earth combine to form Kapha Dosha. Cohesive in its composition, Kapha lends to your body’s stability and perfection.

Kapha skin tends to be thicker and darker. Kapha skin can lean toward oiliness but of all the skin types, Kapha skin often has the least issues. When out of balance, Kapha dosha skin may manifest

The Origin of Ayurveda

THE ORIGIN OF AYURVEDA
For over 5000 years individuals in India have relied on the traditional system of Ayurveda for healthful living. More recently, this comprehensive and holistic system has gained popularity across the globe. Individuals looking for more natural methods of self-care are finding that they can draw from this system’s accumulated knowledge of naturally harmonious methods of interacting with the world around and within us. The Ayurvedic methods of self-care aid the natural healing systems of the body and promote healthy vitality through proactive living.

The sanskrit term Ayurveda is composed of two words; ayus and veda. Ayus means ‘life’ and veda means ‘knowledge.’ Ayurveda is thus most commonly translated as the ‘knowledge of life’ or the ‘science of life.’ The origin of Ayurveda can be found in the Vedas, classic Indian texts containing practical and scientific information on various aspects of self-care. This information includes discussions on how we stimulate the body with work and exercise, how we nourish the body with food, sleep, and relaxation, how to comprehend and cope with various stressors and how to live in our environment in a naturally harmonious way. Ayurvedic practice addresses all aspects of your lifestyle, including how you nourish and stimulate your body, mind and spirit to achieve a naturally balanced living experience. In part or in whole, Ayurvedic practice empowers individuals to find healthy ways of living with the aid of herbs, diet, and body therapies that fit their unique needs.

The Vedas recognize five elements in our environment; space (or ether), air, fire, water, and earth. In Sanskrit, these five elements together are known as Panchmahabhoota – panch for ‘five,’ maha for ‘great’ and bhoota for ‘elements.’ These elements exist in you and everything around you. Every substance has all five elements. However, in each substance, one or more elements predominate. The substance then readily reflects the characteristics of those elements. Ayurveda understands this law of nature. Hence it divides human body composition into one of three body types or Doshas based on the predominance of specific elements.