What’s Your Dosha?
Emine’ Rushton, in Ayurveda for Modern Life, teaches that we each have a dosha - a basic body type that defines our personality and physical wellbeing, from the foods we crave to those that spark intolerances and increase weight gain. She shows how a body-balancing seasonal lifestyle can help beat stress, lose excess weight, and feel energized and positive every day. She guides your through the process of determining your dosha type and teaches how to eat for your own dosha and make your body feel light, vital, energized and well again.
So, the question – what is your dominant dosha? What is your significant other’s dosha?
Healthline.com, in their article What Are the Ayurveda Doshas? Vata, Kapha, and Pitta Explained, summarize the 3 doshas this way:
Vata
Those with the vata dosha are usually described as slim, energetic, and creative. They’re known for thinking outside the box but can become easily distracted. What’s more, their mood is highly dependent on the weather, people around them, and foods they eat.
Strengths: learn quickly, highly creative, multitasker, kind-hearted, flexible, “on the go,” naturally slim
Weaknesses: forgetful, anxious, unstable mood, can get overwhelmed easily, highly sensitive to the cold, has trouble sleeping, irregular appetite and eating patterns, prone to digestive issues and gas, poor circulation (cold hands and feet)
According to Ayurveda, for optimal health, a vata-dominant person should follow a regular daily routine, manage stress through meditation and other calming activities, and maintain a warm body temperature by avoiding cold weather and consuming warm foods and drinks
Kapha
People with this dosha are described as strong, thick-boned, and caring. They’re known for keeping things together and being a support system for others. Kapha-dominant people rarely get upset, think before acting, and go through life in a slow, deliberate manner
Strengths: empathetic, caring, trusting, patient, calm, wise, happy, romantic, strong bones and joints, healthy immune system
Weaknesses: prone to weight gain, slow metabolism, sluggishness, over-sleeping, breathing issues (i.e., asthma, allergies), higher risk of heart disease, mucus buildup, susceptible to depression, needs regular motivation and encouragement
For good health, a kapha-dominant person should focus on regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintain a warm body temperature (e.g., by sitting in a sauna or eating warm food), and establish a regular sleep routine
Pitta
People with pitta are said to usually have a muscular build, be very athletic, and serve as strong leaders. They’re highly motivated, goal-oriented, and competitive. Still, their aggressive and tenacious nature can be off-putting to some people, which can lead to conflict
Strengths: intelligent, purposeful, learns quickly, self-determined, masters skills easily, strong desire for success, strong, natural leaders, quick metabolism, good circulation, healthy skin and hair
Weaknesses: impatient, prone to conflict, always hungry, mood swings when hungry, prone to acne and inflammation, sensitive to hot temperatures
Those with a pitta-dominant dosha should focus on work-life balance and avoid extreme heat (e.g., weather, spicy food)
So, the question – what is your dominant dosha? What is your significant other’s dosha?
I am a Pitta – no doubt about it. My wife is a Kapha – no doubt about it. I wish we had been exposed to the Ayurveda doshas earlier in our marriage – I think it would have helped us understand each other better and have an even-happier marriage. In our marriage preparation we covered the biggies – communication, conflict resolution, financial management, and family of origin. I suggest adding “What is your dosha” to the program.