According to Ayurveda,There are seven main body types
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
These three are called Mono Types
- Vata-Pitta
- Pitta-Kapha
- Kapha –Vata
These are called Dual Types
- Vata-Pitta-Kapha
This is called Triple type
All three doshas are present in each individual at all times ,but their proportion varies from person to person .Thus, ten vata individuals ,or ten Kapha-pitta individuals ,will have ten different temperaments ,ten unique sets of qualities and characteristics .Maintaining our individuals qualitative and quantitative proportion of the doshas is our challenge if we are to remain healthy .When we maintain this proportion our health is good,but when the balance is upset,disease may result .
Characteristics Of the VATA Individuals : Vata individuals have light, flexible bodies .Their frame is on the small side, with light muscles and little fat ,so that they tend to be slim or even underweight,They often appear to be “too tall “ or “too short “,Or they may appear physically underdeveloped ,with flat chests and less strength and stamina than the other types .Their veins and muscles are often quite prominent .
Vata generally have dry skin tending towards roughness.Their circulation is poor,with the result that their hands and feet are often cold. Because vata dosha is cold,dry,light,and mobile and people with a vata constitution tend to lack insulating material ,they are uncomfortable in cold weather,especially if it is dry and windy and they much prefer spring and summer .
These individuals have a variable appetite and thrist and variable digestive strength .they are often attracted to astringent food such as salads and vegetables ,but their bodies actually need sweet,sour,and salty tastes .Raw vegetables increase rather than balance ,vata individuals ofeten experience digestive difficulties and problems with absorption of nutrients .They tend to produce scanty urine and their feces are hard,dry,small in size and quantity .Constipation is one of their most common ailments .
Vatas are the most likely of the body types to fast or to eat very little ,but this actually increases vata and tends towards imbalance. Other physical characteristics typical of vata types include small, recessed eyes,which are often quite lustreless,dry,thin hair,often curly or kinky ,dry ,rough skin and nails ,cracking ,popping joints and teeth that may be irregular ,broken or protruding.Vata walk quickly and are always in a rush .Due to the mobile quality of vata,they do not like sitting idle but prefer constant activity .they also like to do a lot of travelling .they are attracted to jogging ,jumping and vigorous physical activity ,but because they tend to have less stamina ,they can easily get strained or overtired .
Vata are drawn toward a lot of sexual activity .But excess sex is one of the causes of aggravated vata.Vata generally have a difficult time prolonging sex,and vata men may experience premature ejaculation .
Vata individuals sleep less than the other body types .Vata are quite loving people ,but may love someone out of fear and loneliness . Vata individuals may experience fear of loneliness ,darkness, heights and closed spaces .
General Guideless for Balancing Vata
- Keep Warm
- Keep Calm
- Avoid Raw Foods
- Avoid Cold Foods
- Avoid extreme cold temperatures
- Eat warm foods and spices
- Keep a regular routine
Characteristics of the Pitta Individual : The pitta body type is one of medium height and build ,though some individuals are slender with a delicate frame .They seldom gain or lose much weight .Their muscle development is moderate and they are generally stronger physically than vata types .Pitta eyes are bright and may be gray ,green,or copper-brown and their eyeballs are of medium prominence .These individuals tend to have ruddy or coppery skin and may have reddish hair,which tends to be silky .They often experience early graying or hair loss so that a pitta man frequently has a recending hairline or a big beautiful bald head .Moles and freckles are common on pitta skin,which tends to be oily,warm,and less wrinkled than vata skin .Pittas have sharp,slightly yellowish teeth and frequently have bleeding gums .
The normal body temperature of people with a pitta constitution is a little higher and their hands and feet are usually warm and may be sweaty .Pittas may feel quite warm when both vatas and kaphas are cold .They perspire even at a much higher temperature . Their body perspiration often has a strong ,sulfury smell ,their feet also perspire and may have a strong smell .
This heat is the main characteristic of pitta types ,which is not surprising as the word pitta is derived from the Sanskrit world tapa,which mean to hear .They have a low tolerance for hot weather,sunshine or hard physical work .Although they are a fiery type their sex drive may not be very strong .Pittas may use sex to release anger .
Pittas are often wise,brilliant people,but they can also have a controlling ,dominating personality .They have a tendency toward comparison, competition and aggressiveness and they are meticulous and perfectionistic .A pitta’s life space is only moderately long .These individuals burn their life energy through too much mental activity ,perfectionism,aggressiveness and the constant seach for success .They do not like the words No or Fail and therefore may be highly stressful .they are the typical workaholics .
General Guidelines For Balancing Pitta
- Avoid excessive heat
- Avoid excessive oil
- Avoid excessive steam
- Limit salt intake
- Eat cooling ,nonspicy foods
- Drink cool drinks
- Exercises during the cooler part of the day
Characteristics Of The Kapha Individuals : Kapha people are blessed with a strong,healthy,well developed body. Their chests are broad and expanded and they have strong muscles and large,heavy bones .With their larger frames and constitution dominated by the water and earth elements ,Kaphas tend to gain weight and have difficulty taking it off. To complicate matters ,kaphas generally have a slow digestion and metabolism .As a result ,they tend to carry excess weight and to be on the chubby side .A kapha person may even do a water fast and gain weight .
Kapha individuals are blessed with a sweet,loving disposition .By nature they are peaceful ,patient ,tolerant ,caring ,compassionate and forgiving .They love to hug people.Kaphas are stable ,solid and faithful .Their spiritual and religious faith is deep and abiding and their minds calm and steady .Their tendencies towards groundedness and stability help them to earn and hold on to money and they are good at saving .Their extravagances are minor ,mostly in the area of spending a little on cheese ,candy and cakes
A kapha person has a steady sex drive and he or she can enjoy sex for hours at a time without dissipation of energy ,without orgasm or ejaculation of semen . It may take them some time to become interested ,but once they are stimulated ,they tend to stay that way .
General Guidelines For Balancing Kapha
- Get plenty of exercise
- Avoid heavy foods
- Keep Active
- Vary your routine
- Avoid dairy foods
- Avoid iced food and drinks
- Avoid fatty or oily foods
- Eat light,dry food
How to use this knowledge: Knowing your ayurvedic constitution has many benefits for your life and health .
- Self understanding which is the foundation of life ,is greatly increased
- You may see that your habits and tendencies ,such as erratic lifestyle and schedule or laziness or physical problems such as overweight are directly related to your constitution .
- You can also use the knowledge of constitutional types to understand others with whom you are related whether in your personal life or at work .