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Ayurveda Doshas
Body Types
The three Doshas
Vata Dosha
Winter is a cold and dry season which is governed by air, or Vata. The wind blows away the leaves, the air dries out and so does the body. Winter is called "Vata season".
Certain people have more of these Vata principles in their constitution and thus are called Vata types. These people tend to become cold and dry. They often have cold hands and feet, dry skin, dry stiff or achy joints and a very sensitive nervous system which can cause difficulty sleeping and a tendency to be constipated.
As your body prepares for the drop in temperatures, you find yourself craving heavier foods to build an insulating layer of fat. Frigid temperatures cause tense muscles and runny noses. Your limbs stay chilled as your body prioritizes keeping your core warm, shunting blood flow to extremities and skin. Because of this concentration of warmth, your digestion is strong enabling you to process the richer foods you crave.
Rich foods, shallow breathing and lack of fluid circulation can cause buildup of toxins. Chilled to the bone, Vata types might become too deficient and vulnerable to disease and flu.
Vata types who have more winter qualities must be sure to eat the naturally harvested foods in the winter. If the cold Vata body type was living in a cold climate in the winter, eating cold, dry, and raw foods, they run the risk of accumulating excess cold qualities. This can disturb the nervous system, elimination, and the ability to be calm and relaxed.
In nature's perfection, the foods harvested in the winter are warm, oily, and heavy - the natural antidote to a cold dry winter. Think of squirrels eating nuts. During the fall/winter months, Vata types must eat more strictly from the winter grocery list - or Vata reducing diet.
Vata is governed by the Elements of Air and Ether
Season Fall/Winter
Times of Day Vata is strongest 2am - 6am and 2pm - 6pm
Vata Tastes and Qualities (+) Pungent, Bitter, Astringent/Light, Cold, Dry
To decrease Vata, use less of these qualities in food, beverage, and environment. For instance, eating salad (light, cold) will increase Vata.
To Decrease and Balance Vata increase other tastes and qualities!
Taste/Qualities (-) Sweet, Sour, Salty / Heavy, Oily, Hot
To decrease and balance excess Vata, use more of these qualities in food, beverage, and environment, such as savory squash soup and hot herbal tea.
Vata balancing Oils: Sesame, Almond, Apricot
Symptoms of Imbalance
• Dry or rough skin
• Insomnia
• Constipation or IBS like symptoms
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Intolerance of cold
• Underweight or losing weight
• Anxiety, worry and restlessness
• Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity
WINTER FOOD LIST
Pitta Dosha
The Kapha body type holds onto more earth and water and thus tends to gain more weight and more easily become congested. During the months of spring, the rains come, and the earth holds on to more water. Thus, we call the spring "Kapha season".
A Kapha body type must realize that in the spring there is a heightened tendency to hold water, become congested, feel depressed, and gain weight. Therefore, they must pay focused attention on eating foods from the spring grocery list, or the Kapha reducing diet, during the spring when the tendency to accumulate Kapha is increased.
Wherever there is transformation, there is Pitta. Pitta provides the following functions:
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Metabolism, from digestion of food to transformation of all other material.
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Thermogenesis – maintains the proper body temperature.
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Vision.
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Comprehension of information into knowledge / reasoning and judgment.
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Complexion – gives color and softness to skin.
Elements Fire and Water
Season Spring / Summer
Times of Day 10pm - 2am and 10am - 2pm
Taste/Qualities (+) Pungent, Sour, Salty / Hot Light, Dry
These are the qualities of Pitta. To decrease Pitta, use less of these qualities in food, beverage andenvironment. For instance, chips and salsa (pungent, salty, dry) will increase Pitta.
Taste/Qualities (-) Sweet, Bitter, Astringent / Cold, Heavy, Oily
To decrease and balance excess Pitta, use more of these qualities in food, beverage and environment.
Oils Sesame, Coconut, Sunflower
Body Type:
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Medium frame, medium weight.
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Thin, lustrous hair with fine curls.
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Soft, medium oily, pink to red skin.
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Penetrating eyes, whites of eyes are yellow or red.
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Small to medium yellowish teeth.
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Average walking pace, competitive.
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Good strength and endurance.
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Sharp intellect, aggressive, good general memory, medium pitch / clear voice.
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Slow changing moods, angers easily, quick temper, likes things to be orderly.
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Sharp hunger, can’t miss a meal, good digestion, normal elimination.
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Aversion to dry and hot weather.
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Prefers cold food / drink and eats at an easy pace.
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Saves money, but is a big spender.
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Moderate sex drive.
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Sound, medium length sleep. Dreams are fiery, violent and angry.
Pitta Dosha
Symptoms of Imbalance
• Rashes
• Inflammatory skin conditions (including acne)
• Stomach aches
• Diarrhea
• Controlling and manipulative behavior
• Visual problems or burning in the eyes
• Excessive body heat
• Hostility, irritability
• Excessive competitive drive
Kapha Dosha
Today we become more familiar with the qualities of Kapha.
The Kapha body type holds onto more earth and water and thus tends to gain more weight and more easily become congested. During the months of spring, the rains come, and the earth holds on to more water. Thus, we call the spring "Kapha season".
A Kapha body type must realize that in the spring there is a heightened tendency to hold water, become congested, feel depressed, and gain weight. Therefore, they must pay focused attention on eating foods from the spring grocery list, or the Kapha reducing diet, during the spring when the tendency to accumulate Kapha is increased.
The main qualities of Kapha are unctuous, cool, heavy, slow, smooth, soft and stable. It is also dense, cloudy and viscous. So, having a Kapha-predominant Prakriti means that these qualities express themselves generously throughout your mental, emotional and physical make up. You may find them reflected in your strengths and weaknesses.
Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. It provides the structures and the lubrication that the body needs. Kapha provides the following functions:
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Strength and energy.
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Moistness and lubrication.
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Stability to add the necessary grounding aspect to both mind and body.
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Mass and structure to provide fullness to bodily tissues.
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Fertility and virility.
Elements Water and Earth
Season Winter / Spring
Times of Day 6am – 10am and 6pm – 10pm
Taste/Qualities (+) Sweet Sour, Salty / Heavy, Oily, Cold
These are the qualities of Kapha. To decrease Kapha, use less of these qualities in food,beverage, and environment. For instance, eating ice cream (heavy, cold, sweet), will increase Kapha.
Taste/Qualities (-) Pungent, Bitter, Astringent / Light, Dry, Hot
To increase and balance excess Kapha, use more of these qualities in food, beverage, and environment.
Oils Sesame, Olive
Body Type:
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Large frame, heavy, easy to gain weight.
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Thick, straight / wavy, oily hair.
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Oily, moist, pale, white skin.
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Large eyes, whites of eyes are glossy and white.
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Medium to large, white and strong teeth.
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Slow and steady walking pace.
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Excellent strength and endurance.
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Calm, steady disposition, long term memory, low pitch / resonating voice.
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Steady non-changing moods, slow to get irritated, very understanding, easy-going.
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Can miss a meal easily, digestion can be a little slow; elimination is heavy, slow, thick and regular.
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Aversion to damp and cold weather.
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Prefers dry food and eats slowly.
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Saves money regularly and accumulates wealth.
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Strong sex drive.
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Sound, heavy and long sleep, dreams of water, clouds and romance.
Symptoms of Imbalance
• Oily skin
• Slow digestion
• Sinus congestion
• Nasal allergies
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Skin growths
• Possessiveness, neediness
• Apathy
• Depression