Doshas and Energy Elements

Five elements in pairs make three dynamic energies called doshas. Moreover, the Sanskrit word “dosha” means “something that changes” or “something that can be out of balance”. So there is no life without doshas. Thus, these doshas are called Kapha (Earth & Water), Pitta (Fire & Water), and Vata (Ether & Air). There are many ways to balance the doshas, ​​food being one of them. For example, a dish that is able to balance all three doshas is Kitchari.

Energy Elements

According to Ayurveda, a human is a small miniature of the Universe. Everything that exists in the Universe is represented in a human body in one form or another. Then, the diversity of essence in the Universe and human beings consists of 5 elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space).

Earth

It is a solid state of the substance or a stable substance. So these element features are stability, immobility, and solidity. Then, in a human body, there are bones, cells, and tissues, i. e. systems transporting blood and oxygen.

Water

This element symbolizes changes or unstable substances. Moreover, in the human body, it is blood, lymph, and other liquids.

Fire

It represents the power that transforms solid substances into liquid and gaseous ones and vice versa. So it is a form without substance. Also, it is an interatomic and intermolecular attraction force in the human body. Besides, the fire element digests the food turning it into fat and muscles; it stimulates neural activity (including feelings and thoughts).

Air

It is a gaseous form of substance. Air is mobile and volatile. This is existence without form. We can not see it, but we can feel it. Air supports oxidation reactions that occur in the human body, i. e. when energy changes from one form to another. Also, fire can not exist without air.

Ether

This element is the space that maintains existence, this is the distance, which separates one object from another. Accordingly, atoms in the human body are similar to planets in the Universe: for 0,001% of charged particles, there is 99,999% of space.

Doshas

If you want more content on identifying your dosha, check out this guide. In addition, if you would like a personal consultation to identify your dosha and personalized recommendations for you, contact an Ayurvedic expert.

Kapha dosha

Kapha is the balance of Earth and Water. Accordingly, it represents the structure and anointment principle.
Kapha qualities: cold, oily, heavy, static, slow, dense, soft, and slimy. In the human body, this dosha is represented by cells, liquids, and mucus.

Signs that your kapha dosha is imbalanced

• Excess mucus in the nasal and oral cavities and the bowels
• Obstinacy
• Tunnel thinking
• Stubbornness

Signs of Lack of Kapha

• Dryness in respiratory tracts
• Inability to focus

Check out this video from our Ayurveda expert on Kapha dosha.

Pitta dosha

Pitta is the energy resulting in the dynamic interaction of fire and water. These elements are opposite to each other, but they both symbolize transformations. Besides, fire and water are capable of changing each other. Thus, Pitta is a transformation principle.
The qualities of Pitta: hot, liquid, oily, mobile, penetrating, light, and sour smell. Moreover, it occurs in the human body in the form of ferments regulating digestion and hormones responsible for metabolism. Last, on the psychic level, Pitta supports the transformation of medullary impulses into thoughts.

Signs that your Pitta dosha is imbalanced

• Peptic ulcers
• Hormonal disorders
• Skin irritation
• Tumultuous emotions

Check out this video from our Ayurveda expert on Pitta dosha.

Signs of Lack of Pitta

• Indigestion
• Slows down metabolic processes
• Complicates mental activity

Vata dosha

Vata is the energy consisting of air and ether; this is a movement principle. So, the qualities of Vata: dry, cold, light, changeable, mobile, irregular, clear, and rough. Thus, in the human body it is represented by the transportation of nervous impulses, air, blood, food, wastes, and thoughts. Meanwhile, lack of Vata causes nerve cell death, constipation, congestive effects, unconcern, and thoughtlessness

Signs that your Vata dosha is imbalanced

• Nervous irritation
• High blood pressure
• Flatulence
• Confusion of thoughts
• Embarrassment

Signs of Lack of Vata

• nerve cell death
• Constipation
• Congestive effect
• Usnconcern
• Thoughtlessness

Check out this video from our Ayurveda expert on Vata dosha.

Balance of Doshas

Doshas and Climatic Conditions

Doshas balance in nature changes depending on the weather:

• Kapha predominates in winter and early spring when the weather is cold and wet.
• Pitta prevails from late spring till early autumn when it is hot and dry.
• Vata predominates in autumn and early winter when the weather is cold and dry.

Seasons and doshas:

• Summer: Vata-, Pitta++, Kapha-
• Autumn: Vata+, Pitta-, Kapha-
• Winter: Vata+, Pitta-, Kapha+
• Spring: Vata-, Pitta+, Kapha+

Doshas and life stages

It is also natural that doshas balance is changed with the course of age:

• From 0 to 18 years is the time of Kapha
• From 18 to 55 years is the time of Pitta
• Over 55 years is the time of Vata

Doshas and Diurnal Cycle

Also dosha balance changes during the day

• 2:00 am – 6:00 am (dawn): Vata time, it is the best time to get up and also to meditate.
• 6:00 am – 10:00 am: Kapha time, so this period is inappropriate for getting up and digesting food.
• 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Pitta time, the metabolism processes are the most active during this time and it is the best time for eating.
• 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm (sunset): second Vata time, also this is the best time for intellectual activity.
• 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm: second Kapha time, is advisable to take a nap during this time.
• 10:00 pm – 2:00 am: second Pitta time, is the period of rapid eye movement sleep, with bright dreams.

Such division is convenient in spring and autumn when day approximately equals night. Also, in winter, the duration of night doshas periods increases, and day doshas periods decreases. Thus, in summer, the opposite happens.