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Observing the surrounding world, the Eastern sages came to the conclusion that all life on earth consists of dhatu – the primary elements of matter: ether, air, fire, water and earth. One of the systems that works with these concepts is Ayurveda, an ancient science of how a specific person with specific features can build the most harmonious way of life for himself.
One of the basic concepts in Ayurveda is prakriti. Prakriti is a genetically predetermined entity that does not change throughout life and depends on the properties received from parents. According to Ayurveda, there are seven types of prakriti. And these types are inextricably linked with the concept of “dosha”, which means “flaw”, “lack” in translation. But despite this, it is believed that there are no good or bad doshas – just that each person has his own strengths and weaknesses that can be learned to manage. The combination of the elements of ether and wind gives “vata dosha”, the combination of fire and water “pitta dosha”, the combination of water and earth “kapha dosha”. Vata dosha means bodily wind, the element of movement. In the body, vata dosha can be compared with the nervous and endocrine systems – in them, the transmission of signals and information occurs very quickly, and this leads to changes throughout the body. Pitta means bodily warmth and the fire of digestion, the processes of thermoregulation. Kapha is the element of mucus or bodily fluids, such as articular.
What are the seven types of prakriti made up of?
Three single: “pure doshas”, such as vata type or pure pitta.
Three doubles: vata-pitta or pitta-kapha.
One triple: vata-pitta-kapha.
There is an opinion that ideally we should all strive for the state of the three doshas. This is not true. Health and harmony are achieved when our current state of life, leisure and work coincides with prakriti. If this state is disturbed, one of the doshas is out of balance, and this leads to the occurrence of diseases.
Pass the tests
- Ayurveda: who are you – air, fire or earth?
What are the characteristics of vata, pitta and kapha?
The properties of the doshas follow from the properties of the elements that form them. Vata dosha is the lightest and most mobile and is the easiest to get out of balance. It is enhanced by bitter, pungent and astringent tastes. An increase in vata dosha is helped by life in a metropolis: high-rise buildings, a lot of movement, running around, bustle, a lot of talking, an abundance of information. Pitta dosha is hot, spicy, oily. It is enhanced by pungent, sour and astringent tastes. Kapha dosha is cold, heavy, slow. It is enhanced by sweet, sour and salty tastes. Also, each dosha has its own period of activity during the day and year. A lot depends on where we live. A person who lives in a humid climate will be prone to certain diseases, and in a dry one to others.
The division of people into types in Ayurveda is one of the earliest typologies. The concept is very deep, precise, has many nuances, so each person needs individual recommendations that follow from the structural features of the body and the structure of the psyche. But the basis is, of course, prevention – compliance with a lifestyle and nutrition suitable for a particular constitution.
You can learn more about Ayurveda at the seminar “Doshas. Fundamentals of the concept”, which will take place 17 May in the center , address: st. Spartakovskaya, 17.