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

·      lemongrass

·      citrus

·      ylang ylang

·      ginger

·      sandalwood

·      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

·      chamomile

·      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

·      cedarwood

·      sage

·      ginger

·      chamomile

·      cinnamon

·      lemongrass

·      orange peel

·      juniper

·      eucalyptus

·      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!

<3,

Elizabeth