Other Religions New Age / Metaphysical The Tridoshas in Ayurveda: Vatha, Pitta, and Kapha Share Flipboard Email Print Dieter Spannknebel/Stockbyte New Age / Metaphysical Holistic Healing Divination Chakra Balancing Reiki Crystal Therapy By Phylameana lila Desy Phylameana lila Desy Reiki Expert Phylameana lila Desy, the author of "The Everything Guide to Reiki," is a freelance writer, holistic healing consultant, intuitive counselor, and an energy medicine practitioner. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on June 25, 2019 Ayurveda, ancient medical/holistic system from the Vedic civilization of India, teaches that health is maintained by the balancing of three subtle energies known as Doshas. Individually they are called Vatha (sometimes spelled Vata), Pitta and Kapha. This ancient healing system teaches maintenance and protection of the whole person (mind, body, and soul). Ayurvedic medicine is based on an individual's characteristics and body frame rather than oriented toward treating disease or sickness. Each of us is made up of a combination of the three types of doshas. The doshas as a group are comprised of these five universal elements: space (ether)airearthfirewater Vatha is a combination of air and space.Pitta is mostly fire with some water.Kapha is mostly water with some earth.Overall well-being and striving for longevity depends on maintaining your health in order to keep your doshas balanced. Any imbalance among the tridoshas causes a state of unhealthiness or dis-ease. Factors that can bring about the balance of the tridoshas include diet, exercise, good digestion, and elimination of toxins. Review the following characteristics and body structures of each dosha and consider whether you are predominately one dosha or could possibly be classified as a combo-energy such as vatha-pitta, vatha-kapha, pitta-kapha, and so on. Body Structures and Characteristics of the 3 Doshas Vatha Body Structure Slender frameLightweight bone structureDry, rough or dark skinBrown / Black hair coloringLarge, crooked or protruding teeth, thin gumsSmall thin lips and mouthDull, dark eyes Vatha Characteristics Often constipatedLittle perspirationSparse urine (although frequent)Poor long-term memoryGood short-term memoryAnxious, nervous, depressionHigh sex drive (or none at all)Love of travelDislike of cold weatherSlight to variable appetite Pitta Body Structure Medium height and buildFair to reddish complexion and hair coloringSmall yellowish teeth, soft gumsGreen/Grayish EyesAverage size mouth Pitta Characteristics Sharp/Clear voiceLight sleeperIntelligentClear memoryJealousAmbitiousSexually passionateDislikes hot weatherLoves luxuryLoose stools / diarrheaStrong appetiteThirsty Kapha Body Structure Large FrameTends to be overweightThick and pale-colored oily skinStrong white teethBlue EyesFull lips/ Large mouth Kapha Characteristics Speaks in slow monotoneRequires deep sleepSteady appetiteHeavy sweatingLarge soft stoolsBusiness-orientedGood memoryPassiveDislikes cold and dampLoves good foodEnjoys familiar surroundings Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Desy, Phylameana lila. "The Tridoshas in Ayurveda: Vatha, Pitta, and Kapha." Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/tridoshas-1729088. Desy, Phylameana lila. (2020, August 26). The Tridoshas in Ayurveda: Vatha, Pitta, and Kapha. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/tridoshas-1729088 Desy, Phylameana lila. "The Tridoshas in Ayurveda: Vatha, Pitta, and Kapha." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/tridoshas-1729088 (accessed May 29, 2023). copy citation