Ayurveda 101: Understanding Your Dosha
Vata, Pitta, or Kapha? A gentle introduction to Ayurveda's foundational framework for understanding your body and mind.
Dr. Kavita Sharma
Ayurveda & Wellness Guide
Ayurveda, India's ancient system of medicine, begins with a simple but profound observation: every person is a unique combination of five elements, expressed through three constitutional types, or doshas — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata (air and space) governs movement — think quick thinking, creativity, and, when imbalanced, anxiety and dry skin. Pitta (fire and water) governs transformation — sharp intellect and strong digestion, but also irritability when out of balance. Kapha (earth and water) governs structure — steadiness and calm, but also sluggishness in excess.
Understanding your dominant dosha is not about labeling yourself — it is a lens for noticing what your body needs in each season and stage of life.