The Three Doshas
Central to the philosophy of Ayurveda is the belief that we are composed of three vital energies or body types known as the doshas. These are unique to us at the time of our conception. In Western terms, this blend of energies is known as our blueprint or DNA. In Ayurveda it is called our prakruti.
Knowing that the best defence against illness is a strong constitution if our doshas become imbalanced, through bad habits, food or overwork for example, we become susceptible to dis-ease. Ayurveda helps to prevent the development of dis-ease by working with our constitution, aiming to restore it to its prakruti state (what we were uniquely born with).
The three doshas, (or tridoshas) are known by their Sanskrit names of vata, pitta and kapha where our constitution is governed by all three in varying degrees. Most of us are governed by one or possibly two dominant doshas and less common, an even balance of all three, known as tri-doshic.
You can see how the dosha types are structurally similar to the three body types, or somatypes that William Sheldon first introduced in the 1940s as general categories that many people might feel describes their body type.
Influence of the Doshas
In Ayurveda, we delve deep and look at how our dosha determines more than just our constitution, adding in our preferences, personality traits, and sleeping patterns for example, and even looking at the foods best suited to us.
As we go through life, environment, diet, stress, trauma, and injury can cause the doshas to become unbalanced. This condition is known as the vikruti state. When the imbalance is excessively high or low it can lead to dis-ease.
If our bodies are functioning well, dis-ease is unlikely but when the constitution is weakened, we become susceptible to illness. Ayurveda aims to prevent dis-ease by working with the individual’s constitution.
Are you intrigued by the doshas? Have you taken my dosha quiz yet? If not, click here to find out your body type!
If you have any health challenges and would like to see if Ayurveda can help you, you can book in for a free 20-minute discovery call to find out more. Please contact me here, with any questions, call on 07789 516 517 or use the online booking system to book in.