Idiot’s Guides As Easy As It Gets!: Ayurveda

I’m sure you’re dying to know more about your results, so let’s look at each of the Doshas in a little more detail.

Keep in mind this self-assessment gives you a rough guideline on what your Doshic constitution is. It is not entirely accurate because there might be elements in your underlying physiology you’re unaware of. The best way to truly determine your Doshic constitution is by consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Vata Characteristics

Physically, Vatas are the kinds of people who can eat whatever they want and never gain an ounce. In fact, they often are trying to gain weight but have a hard time putting on fat and muscle. Vatas are naturally small-boned, with prominent joints that often crack. They’re often extremely tall or short, like a runway model or a ballerina. They have dry bodies, hair, skin, and nails. They often need braces to straighten their naturally crooked teeth, and if you look at their mouths, you’ll notice their gums are on the thin side. They easily get dark circles under their eyes because their skin is so thin. They rarely sweat and often feel cold. They often experience back problems and have bone abnormalities, such as scoliosis or bunions.

Mentally, Vatas are extremely creative. They are interested in the arts, literature, spirituality, philosophy, and anything else that allows them to think outside the box. They talk quickly and have a million ideas in their heads. However, they can be very indecisive and change their minds frequently. They have a restless energy and tend to overanalyze things. They are prone to nervous system issues like anxiety, nervousness, and panic attacks.

If this sounds exactly like you, you are a Vata. You may be more Vata in your mind or in your body, so take note of that!

Pitta Characteristics

Physically, Pittas are the kind of people who gain muscle definition from a single workout. They are naturally athletic with medium-built bodies—not too big and not too lanky. They tend to have more oily hair that often goes gray or starts balding at an early age. Their skin is similarly oily, with a tendency toward breakouts. Both their hair and their skin often have a reddish tint. They sweat profusely and become overheated easily, which is why they need air-conditioning. They may have freckles, moles, and/or skin that burns easily in the sun. They are prone toward rashes, rosacea, and/or psoriasis.

Mentally, Pittas are very driven. They are interested in business, law, finance, fitness, science, and anything else that’s achievement-oriented. They have organized minds and do well with structure. They are naturally domineering and tend to take positions of leadership, like the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Sometimes that drive can become excessive. They can be controlling, demanding, and impatient with others. They are prone toward burnout and adrenal fatigue due to their perfectionist mentalities.

If this sounds like you, you are a Pitta.

If you have the characteristics of both a Pitta and a Vata, you are a Pitta-Vata or Vata-Pitta, depending on which you scored more in.

Kapha Characteristics

Physically, Kaphas are the kind of people who gain weight just by watching someone else eat. They are naturally bigger-boned with round faces and bodies. However, they have thick, moist hair; smooth, baby-soft skin; and long, lustrous nails. They maintain their body temperature well but prefer warm, dry weather. They tend to have cold, clammy hands and sugar cravings.

Mentally, Kaphas are very compassionate. They are interested in teaching, human resources, nursing, therapy, and anything else service-based. They are people-pleasers and often put the needs of others before their own. They are calm and peaceful, but have a tendency to be slow and resistant to change. They often hold on to the past and become depressed due to emotional eating and weight gain.

If this sounds just like you, you are a Kapha.

If you have a bit of the Vata type thrown in there, you are a Kapha-Vata or Vata-Kapha, depending on which you scored higher in.

If you are mixed with the Pitta type, you are a Kapha-Pitta or Pitta-Kapha, depending on your results.

If you are totally equal in all three, then congratulations, you are tridoshic, which is extremely rare. Or it could be that you think you are tridoshic, but really just have imbalances in all three Doshas, which is much more likely.

Vatas have slender bodies and a difficult time putting on muscle. Pittas have average-sized bodies and gain muscle easily. Kaphas have bigger-boned bodies and gain weight easily.

Making Sense of the Doshas

Now that you know about the Doshas and have somewhat figured out where you stand, let’s relate them to other people. This way, you’ll be able to spot Vatas, Pittas, and Kaphas in your family, in your circle of friends, and in public and better make sense of these Doshas.

Each Dosha is at risk for specific imbalances, which I make you aware of so you can continue to live a healthy and happy life by balancing your Doshas.

Lastly, it’s totally possible to be facing an imbalance related to another Dosha. You will face imbalances related to all three Doshas at some point in your life, as we are all a combination of all three Doshas in varying amounts. In this section, I explain how you can have a predominant Dosha your entire life yet still sometimes relate to another specific Dosha from time to time.

Vata Types

Mentally, Vata types are quick and creative. They’re always on the move and thinking of the next big thing. They get bored easily if they’re in one place for too long. They can’t sit still and are always looking for a challenge. They’re big-picture people and see things others often do not. Examples of Vata types include Steve Jobs and Picasso. Any artist, writer, philosopher, or visionary would be an example of a Vata.

Physically, Vatas are the types of people who are always moving. You may notice they’re often shaking their legs and can’t sit still. They may pace to think and don’t do well in a cubicle. They need a constant change of surroundings to stay stimulated. If you have a friend who just can’t sit through a movie or is always getting up to walk around, he or she is a Vata.

The obstacle for Vatas is that all this movement in their minds can sometimes go haywire. They don’t know how to put a stop to their thoughts. They go from brainstorming genius ideas to overanalyzing pointless situations, repeating conversations in their heads. This makes them easily distracted, and they sometimes can go off on tangents.

Just as easily as Vatas think of an idea, they lose it. They have a hard time remembering their own thoughts. In fact, their short-term memory often suffers because they are off in their own heads. Meditation can feel next to impossible for them. When they are sitting still, sometimes anxiety creeps in. They start to worry about things they don’t need to think about. In general, their minds are in the future. The biggest task for them is to settle their minds and become present.

We all have our Vata moments—we’re overwhelmed, anxious, and a little stuck in our heads. It’s normal to feel this way at times because we live in a Vata-centric society. Most of us are multitasking and doing 12 things at once. This makes it especially difficult for us to stay centered.

When you feel this way, it’s important for you to ground down and pacify your Vata, or lessen your Vata energy. You don’t have to be a Vata type to feel anxious. It just means you currently have a Vata imbalance. I explain things you can do to fix this in Chapter 8.

However, some people just are more prone toward feeling this way, and those are the Vata types. They have an especially hard time staying grounded and are often very flighty, moody, and changeable. They’re extremely sensitive to their environments and even a sound can disrupt them. These types must pay particular attention to pacifying their Vata because they are more at risk of feeling the side effects.

Wisdom of the Ages

Here’s a snapshot of Vata types:

Vata mind: Creative

Vata body: Lean

Vata obstacle: Sticking to one idea

Vata imbalance: Anxiety, digestive trouble

Pitta Types

Mentally, Pitta types are ambitious and hard-working. They’re very focused and complete one task before starting another. They are strong leaders who do well in management. They have very organized minds and work on a schedule. They are able to follow through with tasks, no matter how much effort it takes. Examples of Pitta types include Warren Buffet and Kobe Bryant. Any manager, professional athlete, lawyer, or financial analyst would be an example of a Pitta.

Physically, Pittas are the types of people who need a good workout. They have a great deal of fire energy within them that needs to be released. They love to physically exhaust their bodies and use their muscles. They are naturally competitive and do well in sports, boot camps, marathons, and other athletic endeavors. If you have a friend who does triathlons for fun and has their entire month on a schedule, he or she is a Pitta.

The obstacle for Pittas is that all this fire in their bodies can transform into fire within their minds. They may become angry when things don’t go their way and impatient when others take too long to perform a task. Pittas expect everyone else to put in as much effort as they do. They hold themselves at a very high standard and demand others to do the same. Pittas can be seen as intimidating for this reason.

Pittas also are prone to burnout because they don’t know how to take a rest. All the fire within them begins to burn them from within. They are so used to having a great deal of energy that they oftentimes overpass their limits. They have difficulty seeing the benefits of taking it easy and want to get as much done as they can, and now. This causes their mental health to suffer, leaving them prone to adrenal fatigue. The biggest task for Pittas is to take things slow and cool down.

We all have Pitta energy within us—sometimes we’re on a roll, going from one task to the next. In fact, it can feel addictive to achieve. However, if we keep going at that pace without any rest, we are at risk of exhaustion. This is when breakdowns happen.

The mind and body cannot always be operating at 100 miles per hour. It’s important you take some time to relax and rejuvenate. Even if you are not a Pitta type, you have times in your life when you feel this way. You are in the groove, taking on more and more responsibilities until suddenly, they become too much. You notice you have less patience and are snapping at those around you more often. You may even crash, or blow up, like an erupting volcano. These are Pitta moments.

Then there are those who seem to be like this all the time. Their whole life is one giant to-do list, from one project to the next. They don’t know how to schedule downtime into their busy schedules. To them, time is money, and it better not be wasted. And if you try to get them to stop, they’ll bite.

It’s extra important for Pitta types to settle down and take it easy because if they don’t, they’re at risk of losing their friends and loved ones—especially more sensitive Vata and calm Kapha types.

Wisdom of the Ages

Here’s a snapshot of Pitta types:

Pitta mind: Ambitious

Pitta body: Athletic

Pitta obstacle: Burnout

Pitta imbalance: Anger, heartburn

Kapha Types

Mentally, Kapha types are peaceful, patient, and easy-going. They take their time but do a thorough job. They are natural caregivers and tend to the needs of those around them, often before their own. Their kindness is their strength, and they go out of their way to please their loved ones. They are extremely loyal and keep their friendships and relationships for the long haul. They thrive with people in one-on-one scenarios and make great listeners and counselors. They work well with their hands and enjoy tasks like cooking, gardening, or design. Patience is their virtue. Kaphas are extremely reliable and can always be counted on for support. If you have a friend who always puts others’ needs before their own, he or she is a Kapha. Examples of Kapha types include Oprah Winfrey and Rachel Ray. Any caregiver, hospitality worker, therapist, schoolteacher, or nurse would be an example of a Kapha.

Physically, Kaphas are often complimented on their big eyes, full lips, and angelic voices, like Adele or Beyoncé. They naturally have curvy bodies, but at the same time, they have the strongest stamina of the Doshas. However, when they are out of balance, they allow their sedentary nature to take over and resist exercise, causing them to feel heavier and gain weight. This is why it is crucial for them to stay active to maintain balance.

The obstacle for Kaphas is that they’re so busy ensuring everyone else is okay, they forget to take care of themselves. They listen to others’ problems but have a hard time voicing their own. They may put a smile on their faces, but deep down, they harbor a sadness within. They feel like they have to be there to support others but have no one to take care of them. Sometimes, they feel totally alone, although they’ll never let it show. Kaphas often overeat and become overweight due to this prolonged sadness.

Kaphas are prone toward depression because this longstanding sorrow begins to eat them alive. They isolate themselves from others and put this grief upon themselves because they do not want to burden others with their problems. Unlike Vatas, who have to tell everyone what’s going on, and Pittas, who erupt at others but then get over it, Kaphas hold things within themselves. This makes them become heavier, with both weight and emotional grief.

We all may have undergone a time when we felt the Kapha blues. Nothing excited us anymore, and we wanted to stay in bed all the time and turn our backs on the rest of the world. It’s normal to go through periods like this, and it happens to the best of us. However, it’s important to bounce back by stimulating our bodies and minds to regain Pranic life force.

Wisdom of the Ages

Exercise is extremely medicinal to combat excess Kapha energy. Although it seems like a difficult task to exercise when you’re feeling down, it’s crucial to stimulate the body to stimulate the mind. A heavy body leads to heavy thoughts. To create lightness in the mind, you must create lightness in the body through movement and a light diet.

Then there are those who may have felt this way their entire lives. They don’t know what it’s like to wake up in the morning bustling with energy because they have always felt this heaviness. It’s particularly important for Kaphas to stay active and mentally stimulated so they don’t become dispirited and idle. They may have a hard time getting out of their comfort zones, but that’s how they grow. To cultivate more creative Vata and ambitious Pitta in their lives, they need to start leading more active, dynamic lifestyles. The ideas will flow once the mind and body have been set in motion.

Wisdom of the Ages

Here’s a snapshot of Kapha types:

Kapha mind: Peaceful

Kapha body: Rounded

Kapha obstacle: Putting others before self

Kapha imbalance: Depression, weight gain

The Least You Need to Know

Although you have all three Doshas inside you, you have a primary, secondary, and tertiary Dosha. You may relate more to a specific Dosha in your mind and another in your body.
Those with Vata bodies are naturally small-boned with dry skin and prominent joints. Those with Vata minds are quick and creative thinkers, prone to overthinking and anxiety.
Those with Pitta bodies are medium built, well muscled, and have oily skin. Those with Pitta minds are passionate and sharp thinkers, prone to impatience and anger.
Those with Kapha bodies are bigger built, curvy, and have moist skin. Those with Kapha minds are patient and compassionate thinkers, prone to depression and loneliness.
The best way to know your unique constitution is by consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner.