WHAT’S YOUR DOSHA?
By definition the word DOSHA itself means impurity / fault / blemish / vitiator and so on. However, according to the ancient Ayurvedic literature the term dosha has three important meanings or functions. These three functions are VATA, PITTA, & KAPHA.
In general these DOSHA’S perform the following functions:
VATA protects the body, bestowing enthusiasm (eagerness, desire), exhalation and inhalation, all movements (of the body, mind, speech), initiation (and execution) of urges, maintenance of tissues, proper functioning of senses.
PITTA in it’s normal state governs: digestion, body temperature, vision, hunger, thirst, appetite, complexion, intelligence, courage, valor, softness (suppleness) of the body.
KAPHA in it’s normal state governs: stability, lubrication, compactness (firmness) of the joints, forbearance (forgiveness, with hold emotions, strain, etc.)
Each DOSHA has a physical nature composed of 5 elements but predominately of two:
VATA is constituted predominately of space and air elements;
PITTA is made of fire and water elements, predominately;
KAPHA is composed of primarily water and earth elements. Vata: cold, dry, light, rough, mobile, subtle, clear and pervading
Each DOSHA has a special functional nature which derives from this predominance of two elements (the exact nature of which varies according to textual source:
VATA: cold, dry, light, rough, mobile, subtle, clear and pervading
PITTA: slightly oily, sharp, hot, light, mobile, and liquid
KAPHA: heavy, dull/slow, cold, oily, dense/solid, liquid, smooth, soft, hard, stable, sticky/cloudy, and gross
Each DOSHA has five special functions or sub-types:
VATA: sensation/breath, speech, digestion/peristalsis, elimination, circulation)
PITTA: digestion, coloring of blood, discrimination/emotional integration, sight, skin color/function.
KAPHA: gastric mucus secretion; support via heart, lungs, spine; taste, lubrication/protection of senses; joint lubrication
Each DOSHA has a primary site of function and wherein it accumulates and from which it spreads—called seat of the dosha and numerous secondary sites:
Urinary bladder, colon, waist, thighs, feet, bones, and especially the colon are the sites of VATA;
sweat, plasma and lymph, blood and stomach are PITTA’s sites with the stomach its main site;
KAPHA resides in the chest, head, neck, joints, stomach, fat but especially the chest.
To find out what your DOSHA is go to www.whatsyourdosha.com/quiz
