What Are Doshas?

In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of wellbeing, doshas are the three vital energies that shape how we think, feel, and function. They’re called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and together they influence everything from your digestion to your sleep patterns. You can think of them as natural forces at play within your body, a bit like wind, fire, and earth. Most of us are a blend of two doshas, with one usually standing out more strongly.

🌬️ Vata: The Energy of Movement

• Elements: Air + Ether (space)

• Traits: Creative, imaginative, full of ideas, loves new experiences, quick to adapt, but sometimes quick to lose focus too.

• When balanced: You feel inspired, enthusiastic, light on your feet, with good circulation and energy. Sleep comes easily, and digestion feels steady.

• When out of balance: Signs may include anxiety, feeling scattered, dry skin or hair, bloating, constipation, restlessness, or insomnia.

🔥 Pitta: The Energy of Transformation

• Elements: Fire + Water

• Traits: Ambitious, organised, confident, sharp-minded, strong digestion, and often natural leaders.

• When balanced: You feel focused, productive, warm in personality, and have clear skin and good metabolism. Passion and determination drive you forward.

• When out of balance: Irritability, anger, heartburn, overheating, acne or rashes, and a tendency toward perfectionism or impatience can appear.

🌱 Kapha: The Energy of Stability

• Elements: Earth + Water

• Traits: Grounded, calm, steady, compassionate, physically strong, with good stamina and loyalty in relationships.

• When balanced: You feel centred, nurturing, emotionally stable, and physically resilient. Your digestion is slow but steady, and you enjoy deep, restful sleep.

• When out of balance: You may feel sluggish, heavy, prone to weight gain, congestion, lethargy, or low mood. Motivation can feel hard to find.

Understanding doshas isn’t about boxing yourself in, it’s about recognising patterns. By noticing which dosha qualities feel strongest in you, you can start spotting what keeps you balanced and what throws you off track. Ayurveda suggests that tuning into your doshas can guide small, everyday choices, whether that’s the foods you eat, the self-care rituals you try, or how you respond to stress.

References:

• Vasant Lad, Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. Lotus Press, 1984.

• Chopra, Deepak. Perfect Health. Harmony Books, 1991.

NCCIH: Ayurveda