I believe every Dosha has Dharma or Divine purpose. After all, our birth is divine. According to Ayurveda, our Soul literally chooses the uterus to dive into. We choose the womb, the genetics, and the outcome. Seems wild and crazy. But Vedic teachings tell me so. And following this all the way into the Biology of the body, each Dosha has a purpose, and collectively the purpose is to provide health and well-being so we can complete our personal Dharma.
Ayurveda’s tri-dosha model for health teaches that each Dosha has duties and responsibilities toward maintaining the body’s health. The model states we have our own unique Doshic make-up called Prakruti. Prakruti is who you are meant to be. Prakruti teaches and explains the unique make-up of who we are, as well as how to maintain balance and health. As you get to know your unique constitutional qualities you begin to make better decisions. From what to eat, to how to exercise, dress, and work, to understand Prakruti is a phenomenal resource.
Self-care can only begin when we actually know who we are!
For now, I’d like to introduce you to each Dosha that is supporting your entire health and well-being. When not in balance, it disturbs and disrupts their ability to do their jobs. Imbalanced Dosha becomes ill-health or disease, eventually.
The Will of Vata
Vata’s Dharma is TO MOVE.
VA-ta comes from the Sanskrit Verb root VA = move, to go and is related to the Vahi which means vehicle.
Vata’s destiny is to move, to rock& roll. To expect otherwise is to not understand what Vata is here to do. Without Vata, there would be no movement. Power to the Movement – Go Vata, Go!
Vata is the superfine essence of Prana, the throbbing pulse of life. Like ghee is the superfine essence of the cow, Prana is the finest particle of Vata. The animating life force that generates life through pulsation, vibration.
The psychophysiology of Vata lies in its association with Space and Air within the biology of the body. Vata supports the body as the essence of movement. From defecation to speech + heartbeat, Vata is behind the scenes. The movement of our nervous system, feelings and thoughts, touch, and hearing are all under the domain of Vata. From the moment of your cells to muscles and bones, Vata is the one. For Vata is the prime mover of ALL!
Vata in nature is the wind and sky above. This is why Vata loves to look up! All the possibility lies in the space above. Think of the Hummingbird. This admired joyful creature is a wonderful Vata archetype: light, quick, and entertaining. Meanwhile, the snake in Ayurveda often personifies Vata’s pulse as quick and shifting. Vata’s nature is to move, to create, to rise up, to spring forward!
To note is that movement has a direction. It’s not chaotic or all over the place. Vata moves with direction, intention, clarity, and at the right speed. Air can swiftly change direction and speed but not in a frazzled way. Clear communication and expression are the gifts. Moving the world in the right way at the right speed at the right time.
The Pitta Mission
Pitta’s Dharma is to transform.
Pi – tta comes from the Sanskrit root of TA-pas which means “to heat, to shine”. Thus Pitta is here to SHINE, to LIGHT up the world.
But, put your sunglasses on, because all that light can make those Pitta eyes red, sensitive, and photophobic.
Pitta is the superfine essence of Tejas, the intelligence and wisdom of the body. The pure part of the flame that brings the aura and glow to the fire.
However, PItta is not just the fire element and many forget. In our body, Pitta is the amalgamation of water and fire. The psychophysiology of Pitta is liquid fire: from enzymes to blood, bile, hydrochloric acid, and intelligence. The nature of this liquid fire is to transform whatever comes it’s way. Pitta is best seen as the luminous Sun, pulsing like a ball of hot radiant liquid. Brings light and warmth. In the animal kingdom, Pitta can be a Fire Dragon, burning and transforming all on the path. But also delicate like a fox. The pulse of Pitta is a like a frog. Jumping and pushing into the fingertip. Pitta rules the blood and we feel the pulse of the doshas within the vessel of the radial artery.
Piita’s nature is fire, but not to burn itself. Biologically it is the metabolizer of all. From vision and thoughts to food, we take in the world and must digest what we eat and experience. The digestive process of transforming it is the domain of Pitta. Transforming darkness to light, water to vapor and so on the job of Pitta is to heat and cook.
The Kapha Offering
Kapha’s Dharma is to lubricate, to nourish via fluid and fluidity. Go with the flow.
The Sanskrit word Ka-Pha itself means “to flourish in water”. Thus, Kapha’s main role in the body is to bring the fluid essence to all of our tissues.
Kapha is also the super-fine essence of Ojas, the fluid nectar of fertility, vitality, and immunity. Ojas is often compared to Soma, the sacred nectar of immortality offered to the Gods.
But let’s not get lost in the poetry, Kapha’s psychophysiology in the blend of Earth and Water. It brings both fluidity and strength. From the moisture of the skin, and the strength of our muscles and ligaments, to the lubrication of our joints, Kapha offers fortitude and stamina to our whole being. The very nature of Kapha is to protect, strengthen, build, grow, and repair. From sinuses to lymph and phlegm, the liquid stability of strength is there to nourish.
In nature, the essence of Kapha is captivated by the mountains, the ocean, rivers, cloudy/rainy days, snow, and elephants. The pulse of Kapha is that of a swan, gliding, swaying into the fingertips.
The Earth holds us and gives us the structure we need, water brings life and food. This is the very essence of Kapha. Giving, compassion, fluidity, and tranquility are hallmarks of this Dosha.
There is much to say about each Ayurvedic Dosha, especially at a clinical level. This is a creative, evolving rendition of how I’ve come to relate to each Dosha through Dharma, not just through text but through self-exploration. n my special program called Prakruti and together let’s discover who you were meant to be!
Ready to dive in and explore your Prakruti? Let’s Meet.
