discover your ayurvedic dosha

   Have you ever wondered what makes an individual tick?
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• What makes someone gain weight easy while the other one can eat more and not gain a pound? 
• Why some can handle hot, spicy foods, while others can't.
• Why some individuals are more emotional than others? 

​Trying to make sense of these differences can be confounding.  Many Systems of Medicine cannot explain the reason behind psychological and physiological patterns in individuals.  As a consequence, no single type of diet, exercise routine, or medicine seems to work for everybody.  However, when the various types of human patterns are viewed in the light of Ayurveda's Dosha Theory, it all makes perfect sense.  

According to Ayurveda everything in existence is founded in five basic elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether).  Every living being contain these basic five elements as well.  The dynamic interplay between these elements is what forms the Doshas.  For instance, a predominance of air and ether go to form Vata Dosha,  fire and water form Pitta Dosha, and water and earth form Kapha Dosha.

Here are the different characteristics of each Dosha.

​Vata Energy- controls all aspects of movement as well as space within the body.  Examples of theses energies include breathing in oxygen, breathing out carbon dioxide, circulation of blood, peristaltic movement of food, and elimination of wastes.

When you are born with a predominating Vata constitution here are some of the common traits

• Thin body
• Irregular digestion (prone to constipation)
• Gas, bloating
• Dryness (skin, hair)
• Creative, imaginative
• Fast talker, fast walker
• Prone to nervous tics and anxiety

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​Pitta Energy:   governs all the body's conversion processes as well as its heat and energy production.  In the body, pitta is the digestive enzymes, hormones, and any process that converts matter into energy.
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When you are born with a Pitta predominant energy than you can have some of these traits

• ​Gains or loses weight easily
• ​Intelligent
• Organized
• ​Sharp
• ​Coppery skin tone
• Prone to skin rashes and inflammation
• Competitive
• ​Prone to anger easily
• ​Hyper digestion (tends to have loose stools)

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Kapha Energy: controls liquefaction, lubrication, and cohesion in the body.  Think of Kapha Dosha as protection.  The mucus lining in the GI tract, the lining of the heart, lungs, and uterus.  The spinal cord fluid is Kapha as well.
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When you have a Kapha predominating constitution here are some of the traits

• ​Gains weight easily
• ​Big bodies, big frames
• ​Large eyes, large teeth
• ​Full bodied hair
• ​Slow digestion
• ​Loyal
• ​Prone to emotional attachment

​Knowing the traits, which one do you think you mostly resemble?

  Remember, we are a mix of all three Doshas, but we tend to have one that predominates.  Having a clear understanding of your primary Dosha lets you know what foods to favor and what kind of activities will help you and which ones might hurt you.

Namaste!

​Roberto Portocarrero