Perhaps one of the most known parts of Ayurveda it the concept of Doshas. These are essentially constitutions. Ayurveda has observed 3 Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha in nature, all around us.
These doshas are simple ways for us to determine the components, effect and combination of everything. This may sound both vague and overly encompassing.
From the Ayurvedic perspective, each season, time of day, food items and each of us are constantly under the effect of doshas and doshic changes. Consider this as an example: The season of fall is considered a Vata season. 2 to 6 AM and PM are Vata time in the day. Foods that are dry and cold are Vata. And, depending on the doshic make-up of an individual, they may be primarily vatic.
The 3 doshas are comprised of the 5 elements recognized in Ayurveda: ether, air, fire, water and earth:
Ether + Air = Vata
Fire + Water = Pitta
Water + Earth = Kapha
When one of these 5 elements increases or decreases, it affects the balance between these elements within a whole.
An individual can be one of 10 doshic combinations. However, please keep in mind that each individual has a portion of all 3 doshas.
The doshic combinations are:
1. Vata primarily
2. Pitta primarily
3. Kapha primarily
4. Vata-Pitta
5. Vata-Kapha
6. Pitta-Vata
7. Pitta-Kapha
8. Kapha-Vata
9. Kapha-Pitta
10. Tridoshic: Vata, Pitta and Kapha in fairly equal measure.
