D oshas
Essence of Health & Wellbeing
Discomfort is created when one or more doshas become
unbalanced. Proactive assessment/care of doshas helps maintain
health and wellbeing!
Have you ever wondered what an Ayurved practitioner assesses when he or she checks
your pulse on the wrist? The practitioner actually evaluates the level of Vata, Pitta and
Kapha dominant in your body. Vata, pitta and kapha are known as the ‘Doshas’. This
is the basis of all Ayurvedic treatment. It is good to develop an understanding about
doshas and its effects on the body. This article provides the basic concepts about
doshas from which one may develop further knowledge!
So what are the doshas
and their significance?
Vata, Pitta and Kapha
(V-P-K), are called doshas,
and they are the biological
energies found throughout
the body and mind. They
govern all physical and
mental processes. As
a result they provide a
person’s internal body
intelligence and the
blueprint for health and
wellbeing. It also helps to
explain why people have
different characteristics;
i.e. calm, cool, graceful,
hyperactive, sharp, etc.
Ayurveda says that
everything in the universe,
including humans, are
composed of the five
elements; earth, water,
fire, air and space (ether).
Each of the three doshas
are formed out of different
combinations of these five
elements.
It is important to realise
that the doshas are
dynamic and they
constantly change with
your lifestyle, food habits,
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How do you find your
dosha?
season, time of the day/night and your age. The
doshas are also affected by thoughts on your
mind and your emotions too (that is the feeling
of happiness or sadness).
Ayurved sorts everyone into these three doshas,
or constitution. Ayurved uses your doshas to
prescribe lifestyle, food, medicine that will help
to balance your energies, and hence improve
your health and wellbeing.
These reasons provide sufficient indication as to
why doshas are so fundamental, and why they
have been accorded the highest significance in
Ayurveda.
By placing your first three
fingers on the artery just
below the wrist as shown
in the photograph, you
will feel pulse sensation
on the three finger tips.
Either wrist can be used
for this purpose.
Training, guidance and
experience is required
for detecting doshas.
However, with guidance
V P K