Ayurveda & Yoga part 4 - Tridoshas

R. A
Mar 22
8 min read

Updated: Mar 27

Body & Mind Types - An Introduction

Today I will go over some fundamentals regarding the 3 body and mind types of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Many of you have probably come across these words before but may not have really delved deep into what they actually are and how they work.

In Ayurveda, it is said that there are 3 main forces, or biological dispositions (Doshas), that the body consists of. These are called tridosha, or the 3 doshas, and refer to:

Vata (Air disposition)
Pitta (Fire disposition)
Kapha (Water disposition)

Vata, Pitta and Kapha relate primarily to the elements of air, fire and water.

They are the active (rajasic) parts of the five elements, which we discussed in previous posts, which make the life process of growth and decay possible. The doshas are the primary forces and subtle substances that underlie all functions, both physiological and psychological, and form the basis for the functions of both the sense organs and the organs of movement.

The doshas create the body itself and are at the same time the causes of diseases and imbalances of all kinds.

The term Dosha means: that which darkens, destroys or that which causes decomposition and decay, as they cause diseases in the body if they are out of balance.

In a way, you can say that the three doshas are just different forms of imbalances that need each other in the right amount for the organism to be in balance and maintain its equilibrium.

In addition, it should be added that the entire teaching of Ayurveda is really nothing more than the knowledge of the 3 doshas, which can be said to be what the yin and yang concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is within Ayurvedic medicine.

The two systems share many similarities with each other, but the terminology is different and also how certain things are categorized. However, both are similar in that they do not see the body as just a physical mass of solid matter, but as the result of a network of energies that need to be able to flow freely and be kept in balance in order for good health to be created and maintained.

The doshas provide us with a key to understanding the vital forces of the body and their processes of balance and imbalance. Ayurveda may be the clearest system we know of regarding the function of these energies, especially in relation to the doshas and the different individual physical and psychological temperaments that arise from them.

To embrace Ayurveda, one must understand and remember:

The nature and attributes of the doshas
Where they are located
Their functions
The stages of excess and deficiency
The factors that indicate disruption of the doshas.

Vata dosha

Vata dosha is, as previously mentioned, the biological air constitution of the body. Vata translates as wind and has the meaning: that which makes things move.

Vata is the motivating force behind the other two doshas, which are considered lame in the sense that they are dependent on vata dosha to be able to move at all.

Vata is the primary force of the nervous system that controls both our ability to understand and perceive, as well as the balance of the senses and mind, and the ability to orient ourselves with the help of the senses and the organs of movement.

Vata is also the fundamental life force (qi, prana, or bio-electromagnetic energy) that is everywhere around us but that we primarily receive through breathing, which is the energizing force for the entire body.

Pitta dosha

Pitta dosha, the biological fire constitution, is responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body.

It governs not only how we assimilate the food we take in, but also all sensory impressions as well. Everything we take in is a form of food, especially thoughts, ideas and all impressions from the senses. How well we can digest this food depends on the strength of pitta dosha.

Pitta also governs our ability to understand reality and to discriminate between true and false in order to see things for what they really are.

The word pitta means bile, and its meaning is: that which digests things, which highlights its importance in digesting all forms of food we take in.

Kapha dosha

The biological water constitution is called Kapha. It translates as mucus, which means: that which holds things together. Its function is to provide nourishment, support and substance.

Kapha makes up the majority of our bodily tissues and provides us with the emotional support we need in life. It governs positive qualities such as love, compassion, patience and the ability to forgive. Kapha can be said to act as a container, or platform, for the other two forces.

The locations of the doshas in the body

Each dosha has its own place in the body, but it is important to remember that all of them also act throughout the entire body simultaneously.

Vata

Vata is found in the large intestine, thighs, hips, ears, bones, skin, and the organs of hearing and touch. Its main location is in the large intestine.

The large intestine is the place where gas (air) accumulates.
The thighs and hips are the main places for musculoskeletal movements in the body, which Vata is responsible for.
Vata rules the organs of hearing and touch, as they correspond to the elements of ether and air that it rules.
The bones (dry and hollow) are the tissue that belongs to Vata.

Pitta

Pitta (fire) resides in the small intestine, stomach, liver, sweat, sebaceous glands, blood, lymph, and the organs of vision. Its primary location is in the small intestine.

The small intestine is the main seat of the digestive fire, where food is assimilated.
The stomach is the seat of the digestive acids, which have a fiery nature.
The sweat and sebaceous glands hold and produce heat.
The blood and lymph contain heat and color.
The eyes (processing light and colors) are the sense organs that belongs to the element of fire.

Kapha

Kapha (water) is found in the chest, throat, head, pancreas, the flanks of the body, stomach, lymph, fat, nose, and tongue. Its primary location is the stomach.

The stomach produces gastric juice which, together with saliva from the mouth, breaks down food.
The chest or lungs produce mucus, as do the throat, head, sinuses and nasal passages.
The mouth and tongue produce saliva, another Kapha fluid. The tongue is the organ of taste, to which the water element and the quality of taste belong.
Fatty tissue stores water.
Kapha is found in the lining of the abdominal cavity in the form of peritoneal fluid.

Disturbances of the doshas

When the doshas accumulate in their main locations, imbalance and disease are created.

Large Intestine for Vata
Small Intestine for Pitta
Stomach for Kapha

Locations of the doshas in case of disturbances:

Vata (air), when disturbed, is produced from below, as gas from the large intestine.
Pitta (fire), when disturbed, is produced in the center of the body as bile and acids from the gallbladder, liver, and small intestine.
Kapha (water), when disturbed, is produced from above as phlegm in the lungs and stomach.

The locations of the doshas during normal function:

Vata (air), as nervous and mental force, is centered above the brain and moves throughout the nervous system.
Kapha, as water, is held below in the kidneys and reproductive system and provides us with a foundation, or energy reserve, to rely on.
Pitta remains in the middle.

Symptoms of aggravated doshas

As mentioned earlier, diseases are nothing but manifestations of aggravated doshas. Therefore, we need to understand these excess states of the doshas, along with their effects.

Excess Vata (air) causes emaciation, weakness, heat seeking, tremors, distension, and constipation, as well as insomnia, disorientation, incoherent speech, dizziness, confusion, and depression.

Too much vata dosha results in the life force and mind losing contact with the body, resulting in decay and loss of coordination.
There is hyperactivity at the expense of the vital fluids and the physical body tends to waste away. The life force is disconnected from the body, causing a degree of mental dissociation.
The mind and body become separated, causing the body to begin to decay.
The primary symptom of this is various forms of pain and disorientation.

Pitta (fire or bile) in excess causes yellow coloration of stool, urine, semen, eyes and skin, as well as hunger, thirst, burning sensation and difficulty sleeping.

Too much Pitta dosha results in the accumulation of internal heat and fever along with inflammation.
Various acids or bile accumulate in the tissues, causing fermentation and infection.
Bleeding and excessive discharge such as sweat or urine are common.

Kapha (water or phlegm) in excess causes depression of the digestive fire, nausea, lethargy, heaviness, white color, chills, looseness of the limbs, cough, difficulty breathing, and excessive sleep.

Too much kapha dosha results in the accumulation of weight and gravity in the body, which inhibits normal function and causes hypoactivity through excess tissue accumulation.
We become trapped in a force of inertia, heaviness, congestion, and stagnation, gradually losing the power of movement.

Qualities of the doshas

Vata

Dry
Light
Cold
Uneven
Subtle
Moveable or agitated

Pitta:

Slightly oily
Astringent or penetrating
Hot
Light
Unpleasant odor (a kind of sour or meaty odor)
Mobile (but not agitated)
Liquid

Kapha:

Wet (tasteless or oily)
Cold
Heavy
Dull (slow)
Sticky
Soft
Firm

Vata is primarily dry, cold, light and mobile in nature. We can see these in the drying, cooling, lightening and agitated properties of wind.

Pitta is primarily hot, moist and light, with a mobile but fluid effect. We can see this in the nature of the blood or the acid nature of the stomach and intestines.

Kapha is primarily cold, moist, heavy and slow. We can see this in the nature of phlegm or water trapped in a confined area where it stagnates and solidifies.

Excess or deficiency of these qualities indicates a similar excess or deficiency of the doshas. This in turn leads to various pathological changes in the body.

For example, excessive dryness indicates an excess of Vata and a deficiency of Kapha, since Vata (air) is dry in nature and Kapha (water) is wet. This tends to cause Vata pathological changes such as constipation, dry skin or emaciation which indicate a decrease in the Kapha tissues in the body, such as plasma or fat.

The governance of the doshas

Vata is the root of the other doshas, as well as of the tissues and waste materials of the body.

In its natural state, it maintains exertion, exhalation, inhalation, movement and discharge of impulses, the equilibrium of the tissues and the coordination of the senses.

Vata is the most important of the three doshas, as it controls the other two and is responsible for all physiological processes and organic functions in general.

It controls energy, respiration, the nervous system and the sensory system, is responsible for homeostasis, the proper balance of function in tissues and organs. Because of this, disturbances in vata have more serious consequences than disturbances in the other two doshas. It affects both the mind and the entire body through the nervous system.

Pitta governs digestion, heat, visual perception, hunger, thirst, luster, complexion, understanding, intelligence, courage and softness in the body. It governs all aspects and levels of light and heat in the body and mind. It involves the combustion of materials that produce heat and color.

While vata governs mental power and coordination, the ability for mental movement and adaptability, pitta governs mental perception, judgment and discrimination, the penetrating nature of thought.

Kapha provides stability, lubrication, cohesion of the joints, and such qualities as patience. Kapha is the material basis and support for the other two doshas, and provides stability to the bodily functions.

It serves as a sustaining force for the other two doshas and their active and consuming nature. Without kapha, the other two will disperse and waste away all their energy.

Kapha lubricates the mucous membranes and joints, and serves to cushion the entire body. It also gives us emotional calm and endurance, and governs our ability to feel and sympathize.

In conclusion

Try to get used to these concepts and review the information as often as you need. See if you can identify the indications for Vata, Pitta and Kapha in your own constitution and in other people.

Body & Mind Types - An Introduction

Today I will go over some fundamentals regarding the 3 body and mind types of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Many of you have probably come across these words before but may not have really delved deep into what they actually are and how they work.

In Ayurveda, it is said that there are 3 main forces, or biological dispositions (Doshas), that the body consists of. These are called tridosha, or the 3 doshas, ​​and refer to:

Vata (Air disposition)

Pitta (Fire disposition)

Kapha (Water disposition)

Vata, Pitta and Kapha relate primarily to the elements of air, fire and water.

The doshas create the body itself and are at the same time the causes of diseases and imbalances of all kinds.

The term Dosha means: that which darkens, destroys or that which causes decomposition and decay, as they cause diseases in the body if they are out of balance.

In a way, you can say that the three doshas are just different forms of imbalances that need each other in the right amount for the organism to be in balance and maintain its equilibrium.

In addition, it should be added that the entire teaching of Ayurveda is really nothing more than the knowledge of the 3 doshas, ​​which can be said to be what the yin and yang concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is within Ayurvedic medicine.

To embrace Ayurveda, one must understand and remember:

The nature and attributes of the doshas

Where they are located

Their functions

The stages of excess and deficiency

The factors that indicate disruption of the doshas.

Vata dosha

Vata dosha is, as previously mentioned, the biological air constitution of the body. Vata translates as wind and has the meaning: that which makes things move.

Vata is the motivating force behind the other two doshas, ​​which are considered lame in the sense that they are dependent on vata dosha to be able to move at all.

Vata is the primary force of the nervous system that controls both our ability to understand and perceive, as well as the balance of the senses and mind, and the ability to orient ourselves with the help of the senses and the organs of movement.

Vata is also the fundamental life force (qi, prana, or bio-electromagnetic energy) that is everywhere around us but that we primarily receive through breathing, which is the energizing force for the entire body.

Pitta dosha

Pitta dosha, the biological fire constitution, is responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body.

It governs not only how we assimilate the food we take in, but also all sensory impressions as well. Everything we take in is a form of food, especially thoughts, ideas and all impressions from the senses. How well we can digest this food depends on the strength of pitta dosha.

Pitta also governs our ability to understand reality and to discriminate between true and false in order to see things for what they really are.

The word pitta means bile, and its meaning is: that which digests things, which highlights its importance in digesting all forms of food we take in.

Kapha dosha

The biological water constitution is called Kapha. It translates as mucus, which means: that which holds things together. Its function is to provide nourishment, support and substance.

Kapha makes up the majority of our bodily tissues and provides us with the emotional support we need in life. It governs positive qualities such as love, compassion, patience and the ability to forgive. Kapha can be said to act as a container, or platform, for the other two forces.

The locations of the doshas in the body

Each dosha has its own place in the body, but it is important to remember that all of them also act throughout the entire body simultaneously.

Vata

Vata is found in the large intestine, thighs, hips, ears, bones, skin, and the organs of hearing and touch. Its main location is in the large intestine.

The large intestine is the place where gas (air) accumulates.

The thighs and hips are the main places for musculoskeletal movements in the body, which Vata is responsible for.

Vata rules the organs of hearing and touch, as they correspond to the elements of ether and air that it rules.

The bones (dry and hollow) are the tissue that belongs to Vata.

Pitta

Pitta (fire) resides in the small intestine, stomach, liver, sweat, sebaceous glands, blood, lymph, and the organs of vision. Its primary location is in the small intestine.

The small intestine is the main seat of the digestive fire, where food is assimilated.

The stomach is the seat of the digestive acids, which have a fiery nature.

The sweat and sebaceous glands hold and produce heat.

The blood and lymph contain heat and color.

The eyes (processing light and colors) are the sense organs that belongs to the element of fire.

Kapha

Kapha (water) is found in the chest, throat, head, pancreas, the flanks of the body, stomach, lymph, fat, nose, and tongue. Its primary location is the stomach.

The stomach produces gastric juice which, together with saliva from the mouth, breaks down food.

The chest or lungs produce mucus, as do the throat, head, sinuses and nasal passages.

The mouth and tongue produce saliva, another Kapha fluid. The tongue is the organ of taste, to which the water element and the quality of taste belong.

Fatty tissue stores water.

Kapha is found in the lining of the abdominal cavity in the form of peritoneal fluid.

Disturbances of the doshas

When the doshas accumulate in their main locations, imbalance and disease are created.

Large Intestine for Vata

Small Intestine for Pitta

Stomach for Kapha

Locations of the doshas in case of disturbances:

Vata (air), when disturbed, is produced from below, as gas from the large intestine.

Pitta (fire), when disturbed, is produced in the center of the body as bile and acids from the gallbladder, liver, and small intestine.

Kapha (water), when disturbed, is produced from above as phlegm in the lungs and stomach.

The locations of the doshas during normal function:

Vata (air), as nervous and mental force, is centered above the brain and moves throughout the nervous system.

Kapha, as water, is held below in the kidneys and reproductive system and provides us with a foundation, or energy reserve, to rely on.

Pitta remains in the middle.

Symptoms of aggravated doshas

As mentioned earlier, diseases are nothing but manifestations of aggravated doshas. Therefore, we need to understand these excess states of the doshas, ​​along with their effects.

Excess Vata (air) causes emaciation, weakness, heat seeking, tremors, distension, and constipation, as well as insomnia, disorientation, incoherent speech, dizziness, confusion, and depression.

Too much vata dosha results in the life force and mind losing contact with the body, resulting in decay and loss of coordination.

There is hyperactivity at the expense of the vital fluids and the physical body tends to waste away. The life force is disconnected from the body, causing a degree of mental dissociation.

The mind and body become separated, causing the body to begin to decay.

The primary symptom of this is various forms of pain and disorientation.

Pitta (fire or bile) in excess causes yellow coloration of stool, urine, semen, eyes and skin, as well as hunger, thirst, burning sensation and difficulty sleeping.

Too much Pitta dosha results in the accumulation of internal heat and fever along with inflammation.

Various acids or bile accumulate in the tissues, causing fermentation and infection.

Bleeding and excessive discharge such as sweat or urine are common.

Kapha (water or phlegm) in excess causes depression of the digestive fire, nausea, lethargy, heaviness, white color, chills, looseness of the limbs, cough, difficulty breathing, and excessive sleep.

Too much kapha dosha results in the accumulation of weight and gravity in the body, which inhibits normal function and causes hypoactivity through excess tissue accumulation.

We become trapped in a force of inertia, heaviness, congestion, and stagnation, gradually losing the power of movement.

Qualities of the doshas

In Ayurveda, it is said that there are 3 main forces, or biological dispositions (Doshas), that the body consists of. These are called tridosha, or the 3 doshas, and refer to:

In addition, it should be added that the entire teaching of Ayurveda is really nothing more than the knowledge of the 3 doshas, which can be said to be what the yin and yang concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is within Ayurvedic medicine.

Vata is the motivating force behind the other two doshas, which are considered lame in the sense that they are dependent on vata dosha to be able to move at all.

As mentioned earlier, diseases are nothing but manifestations of aggravated doshas. Therefore, we need to understand these excess states of the doshas, along with their effects.