Know your body constitution
Body constitution-the word denotes the composition of the body elements. According to Ayurveda, the five elements (fire, earth, water, air & space) in their biological form combine to form these 3 energies in the body. These 3 basic energies are the primary life forces or biological humors, called doshas in Ayurveda. The three doshas are Vata (from ether and air), Pitta (from fire and an aspect of water), and Kapha (from water and earth).They help regulate physical functioning within our body, besides providing us with individual physical characteristics. The constitution of a person is primarily determined by the dominant dosha .
Your predominant dosha could be any one of the three, a combination of any two or all the three in a balanced form.
Vata traits includes:
- tall, lean,
- dry hair and skin,
- small eyes, irregular teeth,
- variable appetite, poor stamina,
- anxious disturb sleep
Attributes manifesting in the body
- Dry - dry skin, hair, lips, tongue; dry colon, tending towards constipation; hoarse voice
- Light - light muscles, bones, thin body frame, scanty sleep, underweight
- Cold - cold hands, poor circulation of moods, hates cold and loves hot; stiffness in the muscles
- Rough - rough cracked skin, nails, hair, teeth, hands and feet; cracking joints
- Subtle - anxiety, insecurity; fine goose bumps; minute muscle-twitching, fine tremors, delicate body
- Mobile - fast walking, talking, doing many things at a time; restless eyes, eyebrows, hands, feet; unstable joints; many dreams; loves traveling but does not stay in one place; mood swings and shaky faith.
- Clear - clairvoyant; understands and forgets immediately; clear, empty mind, experiences the void and loneliness
The most unique quality of Vata is dryness and dryness is an inherent aspect or how we age.
Pitta traits includes:
- hot, oily, sharp
- medium balanced build, fiery eyes
- fine, straight (reddish) hair (or bald)
- brisk appetite, good endurance,
- angry, forceful, impatient
Attributes manifesting in the body
- Hot - Good digestive fire, strong appetite; body temperature tends to be higher than normal; difficulty with heat, loss of hair or baldness; hair slightly oily; tendency towards grey hair early in life
- Sharp - pointed teeth, penetrating eyes, pointed nose and chin; heart shaped face; good absorption and digestion; sharp memory and understanding; hard working; irritable nature
- Light - light/medium body frame; cannot digest bright light; fair shinny skin, bright eyes
- Oily -soft oily skin; does not tolerate deep fried food;
- Liquid - loose liquid stool; hyper-toned muscles; excess urine; sweat and thirst
- Spreads - pitta spreads as rash, acne, inflammation all over the body or on affected areas; ambitious wants to spread their name and fame.
Pitta people are more prone to oxidative stress than other types and should be careful to get enough anti-oxidants. The are also characteristically prone to illness like headache, acne, acidity premature greying hair.
Kapha traits includes:
- heavy; smooth, thick skin
- thick lustrous hair; large eyes; even teeth,
- steady, stable appetite;
- cool, calm, complacent
Attributes manifesting in the body
- Heavy - bones, muscles, larger body frame; tends to be overweight, deep heavy voice
- Slow - walk; talk; digestion ; sluggish metabolism
- Cool - skin; scanty appetite and thirst; cold, congestion and coughs; desire for hot spicy food
- Oily - skin, hair; lubricated, unctuous joints and other organs can tend towards thickness of fluids
- Dense - dense pad of fat; thick skin. hair, nail; plump rounded organs
- Soft - soft pleasing look; loving, caring, compassionate and kind
- Static - loves sitting, sleeping
- Viscous - sticky, cohesive quality causes compactness , firmness of joints and organs; loves to hug; is deeply attached in love and relationships
- Cloudy - in early morning mind is cloudy and foggy; often needs coffee as a stimulant to start the day