ayurveda
the dosha elements
the dosha elements of ayurveda are something I was taught in a yoga teacher training-level class. there are three elements: vata, ruled by air + space; pitta, ruled by fire; and kapha, ruled by earth + water. each person contains all of the dosha elements, just different percentages of them.
my yoga teacher turned to me out of the whole class and said I was a vata, because of my dominant vata-like features. I then took the dosha element quiz after class and found out I was in fact a vata (with a dash of pitta!) and many of the qualities, both physical and lifestyle, described me accurately. the quiz is a self-assessment based on lifestyle, physical build/appearance, and personality. self assessments aren’t always the most accurate as answers can be skewed/confounded, but in this case it is the best measurement because it is based on personal habits and traits, and you know yourself the best.
I love learning more about myself, and personalized means of self care. your dominant element gives you a guide to very particular foods you should eat/avoid, essential oils that will best help you, breathwork practices, and yoga poses to do in order to remain balanced. it is like myers-briggs for the soul.
minimal guide to the elements + my interpretation
vata
pitta
kapha
vata
dreamy, lots of energy
eat
· avocado
· zucchini + squash
· butternut squash
· mango
· strawberries
· bananas
· all citrus
· olive oil
· honey
· maple syrup
· whole grain
· oats
· brown rice
· vegan soups
· warm pastas (like primavera)
· basil/pesto
· yogurt
· nut butter
· plant based milk
· room temperature lemon water
· hot green tea / matcha (lavender chamomile at night)
· warm, cooked foods in general
avoid
· raw/cold vegetables
· cranberries
· raspberries
· tart apples
· potatoes
· refined sugar
· popcorn (in moderation)
· black beans
· whole chickpeas
· hard cheeses
· cold milk
· black coffee or just excessive coffee
· kombucha
· dandelion/licorice root tea
essential oils: soothing
· rose
· lavender
· vanilla
· citrus
· ginger
· bergamot
yoga
· forward fold
· bridge pose
· seated twists
· child’s pose
· legs up the wall
· cat/cow
· wide leg forward fold
· warrior I
· triangle pose
· downward dog
· revolved chair pose
breathwork
· nadi shodhana (deep inhalations and exhalations one nostril at a time)
· ujjayi (“ocean breath” – completely fill and empty lungs, imagine waves)
lifestyle
· creativity
· circulation
· communication
· warmth
· coziness
· peace and serenity
· routine
· nourishment
· stay moisturized – apply lotion and lip balm throughout the day
· gentle flowing/yin/restorative yoga
· daily meditation
· walks in nature
· surrounding yourself with positive people
· sleep with heavy blankets
· turn off phone 30 minutes prior to sleep
· warm showers/baths
· three regular meals (+ snacks!)
physical features
· big, light eyes
· small frame
· long limbs
· may have dry and cold skin (when imbalanced)
pitta
fiery, lively
eat
· coconut
· cantaloupe/honeydew
· cucumber
· figs
· pomegranates
· peas
· kale
· salads
· mango
· cold pasta salads
· jasmine rice
· milk + honey
· sunflower/coconut oil
· lentils
· chickpeas
· almonds/pecans
· mint / rose / chamomile / jasmine tea
· cooling foods in general
avoid
· tomatoes
· garlic
· radishes
· sour cherries
· lemon
· citrus
· spicy peppers
· eggplant
· vinegar
· peanuts/cashews/pistachios (especially salted)
· hard cheese
· peanut/mustard oil
· corn
· rye
· refined sugar
· ginger/lemon tea
essential oils: cooling
· jasmine
· gardenia
· rose
· mint
· yarrow
* combine with sunflower/coconut/olive oil
yoga
· sun salutations
· low lunge
· half moon
· full wheel pose
· bridge pose
· side plank
· pigeon pose
breathwork
· cooling breath (fold tongue inward and breathe through it)
lifestyle
· exercise
· fast paced
· cooling environments
· digestion
· embracing all life experiences
· intelligence
· health
· colors
· visual perception
· compulsive (when imbalanced)
· keep a gratitude journal or incorporate into your practice
· don’t multitask while eating
· spend time in nature
· power yoga + meditation
· take cool showers/baths + apply coconut oil after
· turn off phone 1 hour prior to sleep
· listen to chill music at night
physical features
· athletic
· soft skin
· green eyes
· symmetrical
· sharp features
· flexible
· small to medium frame (muscular)
· rose pink tint to cheeks and lips
· may have freckles from the sun
kapha
chill, grounded
eat
· dark, leafy greens
· brussels sprouts
· red leaf lettuce
· cauliflower
· artichoke
· cucumbers
· celery
· mushrooms
· okra
· radishes
· apples
· pears
· seasonal berries
· dried fruit
· black / chai / ginger / orange peel tea
· coffee
· dairy in moderation
· sunflower/sesame seeds
· all beans/lentils
avoid
· avocado
· coconut
· watermelon
· pineapple
· all melons
· grapes
· oranges
· tomatoes
· iced beverages
· wheat
· oats
· olive/sesame/avocado oil
· pine nuts
· refined sugar
essential oils: stimulating
· basil
· sage
· ginger
· cinnamon
· juniper
· bergamot
yoga
· dancer pose
· upward facing dog/cobra
· all warrior poses
· handstand
· side plank
· savasana
· crow pose
· bridge pose
· tree pose
breathwork
· ujjayi
· bhastrika (inhale through nose; fill lungs completely; exhale through teeth, almost like a quiet hissing sound)
lifestyle
· grounding
· stability
· empathy
· patience
· friendly
· earthy
· compassion
· morning workouts
· trying different group fitness classes
· gratitude journals
· vinyasa yoga
· pranayama/asana before meditation
· substantial lunch, light dinner
· learn to say no and focus on yourself!
· upbeat music to boost mood
· slow paced life
· relaxing at home
· cloudy/overcast days
· contentment
· lethargic (when imbalanced)
physical features
· round, dominant features
· may have thick hair
· smooth complexion (may be oily when imbalanced)
· solid and grounded frame
· deep eye color
what kind of lifestyle rituals are you going to implement now that you know your dosha element?
TCFN!