The most revered ayurvedic text, the Charaka Samhita, defines the characteristics of Pitta dosha: hot and a little unctuous (sahasnehamushnam); sharp, burning (tikshnam); liquid and acidic (dravamlam); always flowing in an unbounded manner (saram); pungent and sharp (katuhu). Pitta contains fire, but it also contains water. It is the source of the flame, but not the flame itself. Compare Pitta to gasoline–it is not hot to the touch, but it can be the source of flames.

People with more Pitta in their constitutions tend to be of medium proportions, with a frame that is neither petite nor heavy, warm skin that is very fair or ruddy and may be sensitive, and fine hair that tends towards premature graying or thinning. They are sharp and determined in thought, speech and action. There is an element of purpose to their step, an intensity to their voice. Ambition is usually their second name. They are moderate sleepers and gravitate towards cooler environments. Self-confidence and an entrepreneurial spirit are hallmarks of balanced Pitta.

If your prakriti or original constitution has more Pitta in it, you will exhibit many of the characteristics and qualities of Pitta when you are in balance than people who have more Vata or Kapha in their make-up. And that’s natural. But if the qualities become extreme, or more pronounced than usual at a given time, then the Pitta in you has in all likelihood become aggravated or imbalanced, and needs to be brought back into balance. And if a predominantly Kapha or Vata person starts exhibiting many Pitta qualities, that indicates a Pitta imbalance in that Kapha or Vata body type. In both cases, it is then time to follow a Pitta-balancing diet and lifestyle to help restore the level of Pitta in the physiology to its normal proportion.

Factors that can cause Pitta dosha to increase in the physiology include a diet that contains too many hot or spicy foods, fasting or skipping meals, over-exposure to the sun or to hot temperatures, and emotional trauma.

Signs that you need to balance Pitta
Are you constantly critical, impatient, irritable?
Do you feel obsessed by work or a project, unable to stop for a break?
Do you wake up in the very early hours of the morning and then find it difficult to get back to sleep?
Is your skin feeling irritated or more sensitive than usual, breaking out or feeling inflamed?
Is your hair falling when you shampoo or comb it?
Do you have problems with heartburn or excess stomach acid?
Is your tolerance of other people or provoking situations lower than usual? Do you have temper outbursts over minor aggravations? Do you often feel frustrated?
Do you feel hot even when you are indoors? Do you feel thirsty all the time? Are your eyes red?
Is your speech often biting and sarcastic? Do you find yourself getting into arguments easily?
If you answered yes to many of the questions above, following a Pitta-balancing diet and lifestyle can help restore balance to Pitta.

Technorati Tags: Ayurveda, Holistic Healing, Pitta

The most revered ayurvedic text, the Charaka Samhita, defines the characteristics of Kapha dosha: heavy–both water and earth are heavy elements (guru); cold (sheetoha); soft (mridu); unctuous, offering lubrication (snigdha); sweet (madhura); stability, offering immunity (sthira); and slippery (tikshila).

People with more Kapha in their constitutions tend to be of larger proportions, with a robust frame and padded joints, thick smooth skin that may tend towards oiliness, and rich, wavy hair. They are stable and calm in thought, speech and action, and are easy-going and supportive in relationships. There is an element of steadiness to their step, a quality of serenity in their smile. Loyalty is usually their second name. They are long, heavy sleepers and uncomfortable in damp, clammy environments. Calm and sweetness of disposition are hallmarks of balanced Kapha.

If your prakriti or original constitution has more Kapha in it, you will exhibit many of the characteristics and qualities of Kapha when you are in balance than people who have more Pitta or Vata in their make-up. And that’s natural. But if the qualities become extreme, or more pronounced than usual at a given time, then the Kapha in you has in all likelihood become aggravated or imbalanced, and needs to be brought back into balance. And if a predominantly Vata or Pitta person starts exhibiting many Kapha qualities, that indicates a Kapha imbalance in that Vata or Pitta body type. In both cases, it is then time to follow a Kapha-balancing diet and lifestyle to help restore the level of Kapha in the physiology to its normal proportion.

Factors that can cause Kapha dosha to increase in the physiology include a diet that contains too many deep-fried, sweet or heavy foods, over-consumption of ice-cold foods or beverages, exposure to cold and damp, daytime sleep, and lack of exercise.

Signs that you need to balance Kapha
Do you gaining weight easily, even though you feel like you don’t really have an appetite?

Do you feel tired even though you are not performing any physical activity?

Do you find it difficult to awake even after long hours of sleep? Do you wake up feeling unrefreshed, tired?

Does your skin feel oilier than usual, with breakouts?

Is your hair oily and streaky even with regular shampooing?

Are you heavy and congested in your throat, head and chest?

Is your digestion slow? Do you feel heavy and lethargic after a meal?

Do you feel like you just want to sit and be a spectator?

Do you feel withdrawn? Is it difficult to deal with change? Do you constantly feel the need to “cling”?

Do you feel mentally umotivated?

If you answered yes to many of the questions above, following a Kapha-balancing diet and lifestyle can help restore balance to Kapha.

Technorati Tags: Ayurveda, Holistic Healing, Kapha

People with more Vata in their constitutions tend to be thin, with a slender frame and prominent joints, delicate skin that is naturally dry, and dry voluminous hair. They are quick and lively in thought, speech and action, and make friends easily. There is an element of airiness to their step, a quality of lightness in their laughter. Change is usually their “second name”. They are light sleepers and gravitate towards warm environments. Creativity and enthusiasm are hallmarks of balanced Vata.

If your prakriti or original constitution has more Vata in it, you will exhibit many of the characteristics and qualities of Vata when you are in balance than people who have more Pitta or Kapha in their make-up. And that’s natural.

But if the qualities become extreme, or more pronounced than usual at a given time, then the Vata in you has in all likelihood become aggravated or imbalanced, and needs to be brought back into balance. And if a predominantly Kapha or Pitta person starts exhibiting many Vata qualities, that indicates a Vata imbalance in that Kapha or Pitta body type. In both cases, it is then time to follow a Vata-balancing diet and lifestyle to help restore the level of Vata in the physiology to its normal proportion.

Factors that can cause Vata dosha to increase in the physiology include a diet that contains too many dry or raw foods, over-consumption of ice-cold beverages, exposure to cold dry winds, a variable daily routine, too much travel, and mental overexertion.

Signs that you need to balance Vata
Are you constantly worried, anxious, overwhelmed, fretful?

Do you feel tired but find yourself unable to slow down and relax?

Do you find it difficult to settle down and fall asleep at night?

Is your sleep restless when you do manage to fall asleep?

Is your skin feeling dryer than usual,stretched taut or flaking?

Is your hair more brittle, with split ends happening oftener?

Are your lips raw and chapped? Is your throat constantly dry?

Is your digestion irregular? Do you experience problems with abdominal gas?

Do you feel like you cannot sit still, that you need to be constantly moving?

Do you feel “spaced out”? Is it harder to remember things for more than a short period of time?

Is your attention span shorter than usual? Is it harder to focus?

Do your bowel movements occur less than once daily?

If you answered yes to many of the questions above, following a Vata-balancing diet and lifestyle can help restore balance to Vata.

Technorati Tags: Ayurveda, Holistic Healing, Vata

Ayurveda teaches that health is maintained by the balancing of three subtle energies known as Doshas.  Dosha literally means fault, blemish, defect, or morbid substance.  Individually they are Vatha, Pitta and Kapha.

These three Dosha are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the human body, governing all the biological, psychological, and physiopathological funtions of the body, mind, and consciousness.  Each of us is made up of a combination of the three types of doshas which also decide the constitution or “Prakruti”. 

A change in the balance of the Doshas leads to disease.  It is believed that keeping the Doshas in balance builds a healthy metabolic system, attains good digestion, and proper excretion – leading to vitality.

Technorati Tags: Ayurveda, Dosha, Holistic Healing