Introduction to Ayurveda and the Doshas

Ayurveda is medicine that originates from India. Ayu in Sanskrit means life and Veda means knowledge. Therefore it is considered to be the total knowledge of life including health and wellbeing. With that said, Ayurveda is based on the five elements of space, air, fire, water, and earth. In turn, these five elements come together to work to create three different types of energies or bodily forces known as Dosha. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. 

Vata is composed of space and air

Pitta is made from fire and water

Kapha consists of water and earth

These three doshas work together to support the human body and they each have predominant roles that they play to help you have balanced health 

Vata controls all the movement, communication, and transportation in the body. This means that Vata is primarily responsible for the functioning of the nervous system, circulatory system, legs, breathing, and the elimination of urine and faeces. 

Pitta governs the digestion, metabolism, and transformation. This means that Pitta controls your digestive system, hunger and thirst, blood, skin, and eyesight. 

Kapha is responsible for the structure, cohesion, and lubrication. Examples of Kapha in the body are your tissues, joints, neck, chest, head, strength, and level of patience. 

For a healthy body, you need to have balanced functioning of all three doshas. In order to find the right balance, you need to determine what your Vikriti is. Vikriti is your current state of health and tells you what dosha you are currently predominant. There are many ways to determine your vikriti, one of which is by taking my dosha quiz, by clicking here.

Knowing your current Vikriti or state of health can help you understand how your health works and how Ayurveda can help you find balance. Ultimately all three doshas are at work, but the results will tell you which dosha is predominant at the moment and what you can do to start working towards achieving balance. As an added bonus, after you take the quiz, you will also be able to watch my free Masterclass on Healthy Transformation through Ayurvedic Nutrition which will further explore the doshas and how it pertains to your health and wellbeing.