If you haven't figured it out by now, although as a human race we are all quite similar, each one of us is extremely different and unique. So much so that it is important to find out some things about our individuality so that we can learn to better hear our body's cues for help and overall life enhancement! If you study any of the ancient cultures of our planet, you will see that each one of them has a different way of classifying the different types of people. Blood typing, metabolic typing, constitutional typing, ancestral typing, the list goes on. Today I'd like to spend some time on Ayurvedic typing because I use this daily in practice and it is a quick way to figure out the way a person thinks, feels, and how their physical body heals. Now each of us has a combination of the three main types, which we call Doshas, but typically we will have one main Dosha we trend towards most often. Knowing your Dosha will help you understand the many aspects of life where you feel 'stuck' or confused, so read on for clarity's sake!
In ancient Ayurvedic philosophy, the three constitutional types are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These three Doshas are constantly moving in dynamic balance, one with the others. In Ayurveda, the three Doshas are also known as the governing principles and every living thing in nature is characterized by the three Doshas. Therefore, each person possesses all three Doshas, but commonly one or two Doshas may predominate or go out of balance.
The Vata Body Type
- Creativity, mental quickness
- Highly imaginative
- Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge
- Thin body frame; prominent bony joints
- Slenderness; lightest of the three body types
- Talks and walks quickly
- Tendency toward cold hands and feet; discomfort in cold climates
- Excitable, lively, fun personality
- Changeable moods
- Irregular daily routine
- Variable appetite and digestive efficiency
- High energy in short bursts; tendency to tire easily and to overexert
- Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance
- Respond to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance
- Tendency to act on impulse
- Often have racing, disjointed thoughts
- Generally have dry skin and dry hair; does not perspire much
- Typical health problems include headaches, hypertension, dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, anxiety, irregular heart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas, diarrhea, nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation and other sexual dysfunctions, and arthritis. Most neurological disorders are related to Vata imbalance.
The Vata constitution is generally physically underdeveloped. Their chests are flat and their veins and muscle tendons are visible. The skin is cold, rough, dry and cracked.
Vata generally has a thin frame which reveal prominent joints and bone-ends because of poor muscle development. The hair is curly and scanty; the eyelashes are thin. The eyes may be sunken, small, dry and active. The nails are rough and brittle. The shape of the nose is often bent.
Physiologically, the appetite and digestion are variable. Vata loves sweet, sour and salty tastes and likes hot drinks. The production of urine is scanty and the feces tend to be dry, hard and small in quantity. Vata has a tendency to perspire less than other constitutional types. Their sleep may be disturbed; often they will sleep less than the other types. Their hands and feet are often cold.
Psychologically, they are characterized by quick mental understanding. They may understand something immediately, but may soon forget it. They have weak will power, tend toward mental instability and possess little tolerance, confidence or boldness. Their decisiveness power is weak. They tend to be nervous, fearful and afflicted by much anxiety.
The Pitta Body Type
- Medium physique, strong, well-built
- Sharp mind, good concentration powers
- Orderly, focused
- Assertive, self-confident and entrepreneurial at their best; aggressive, demanding, pushy when out of balance
- Competitive, enjoy challenges
- Passionate and romantic; more sexual vigor and endurance than Vata, but less than Kapha
- Strong digestion, strong appetite; irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal
- Likes to be in command
- When under stress, Pitta becomes irritated and angry
- Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns easily
- Hair usually fine and straight, tending toward blond or red, typically turns gray early; tendency toward baldness or thinning hair
- Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather; heat makes them very tired
- Perspires a lot
- Others may find them stubborn, pushy, opinionated
- Good public speakers; also capable of sharp, sarcastic, cutting speech
- Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become authoritarian
- Like to spend money, surround themselves with beautiful objects
- Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, irritability and anger
- Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid stomach, hot senstaions in the stomach or intestines, insomnia, bloodshot or burning eyes and other vision problems, anemia, and jaundice.
Pitta is of medium height and body frame. Their chests have a medium build. They show a medium prominence of veins and muscle tendons. Muscle development is moderate.
The Pitta complexion may be coppery, yellowish, reddish or fair. The skin is soft, warm and less wrinkled than Vata skin. The hair is thin, silky, red or brownish and there is a tendency toward premature graying of hair and hair loss. The eyes may be gray, green or copper-brown and sharp: the eyeballs will be of medium prominence. The nails are soft. The shape of the nose is sharp and the tip tends to be reddish.
Physiologically, Pitta has a strong metabolism, good digestion and strong appetite. The Pitta constitution usually takes large quantities of food and liquid. Pitta types have a natural craving for sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and enjoy cold drinks. Their sleep is of medium duration but uninterrupted. They produce a large volume of urine. The feces are yellowish, liquid, soft and plentiful. There is a tendency toward excessive perspiring. The body temperature may run slightly high and hands and feet will tend to be warm. Pitta does not tolerate sunlight or heat well. Psychologically, Pitta has a good power of comprehension; they are very intelligent and sharp and tend to be good orators. They have emotional tendencies toward hate, anger and jealousy. They are ambitious and generally like to be leaders. Pitta appreciates material prosperity. They tend to be moderately well-off financially. They enjoy exhibiting their wealth and luxurious possessions.
The Kapha Body Type
- Easygoing, relaxed, slow-paced
- Affectionate and loving
- Forgiving, compassionate nature; stable and reliable; faithful
- Physically strong and with a sturdy, heavier build
- Has the most energy of all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring, not explosive
- Slow moving and graceful
- Slow speech, reflecting a deliberate thought process
- Soft hair and skin; tendency to have large “soft” eyes and a low, soft voice
- Tendency to be overweight; may also suffer from sluggish digestion
- Prone to heavy, oppressive depressions
- More self-sufficient, need less outward stimulation than do other types; a mild, gentle and essentially undemanding approach to life
- Kapha is the slowest to be aroused sexually, but have the most endurance
- Excellent health, strong resistance to disease
- Slow to anger; strive to maintain harmony and peace in their surroundings
- Not easily upset and can be a point of stability for others
- Tend to be possessive and hold on to things, people, money; good savers.
- Don’t like cold, damp weather
- Physical problems include colds and congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems including asthma and wheezing, hay fever, allergies, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Kapha has a well-developed body. However, there is a strong tendency for Kapha individuals to carry excess weight. Their chests are expanded and broad. The veins and tendons of Kapha are not obvious because of their thick skin and their muscle development is good. The bones are not prominent.
Their complexions are fair and bright. The skin is soft, lustrous and oily; it is also cold and pale. The hair is thick, dark, soft and wavy. The eyes are dense and black or blue: the white of the eye is generally very white, large and attractive. Physiologically, Kapha has regular appetites. Due to slow digestion, they tend to consume less food. They crave pungent, bitter and astringent foods. Stools are soft and may be pale in color: evacuation is slow. Their perspiration is moderate. Sleep is sound and prolonged. There is a strong vital capacity evidenced by good stamina. Kapha is generally healthy, happy and peaceful. Psychologically, Kapha tends to be tolerant, calm, forgiving and loving: however, they also exhibit traits of greed, attachment, envy and possessiveness. Their comprehension is slow but definite: once they understand something, that knowledge is retained. They are not easily upset and can be a point of stability for others.
Knowing which type predominates your body can help you immensely. This is a quick overview, but I want to give you more! We are now opening slots to our upcoming Be Your Own Physician Courses. Right now, as long as you qualify by filling out our quick application, the courses are FREE. We are offering them as a service to our community, and I believe your life will never be the same if you attend. Find out more here: www.EducatingWellness.com/BeYourOwnPhysician.