What is a Dosha?

If you are taking a yoga class or looking into Ayurvedic Medicine, you may have heard the word "Dosha", or been told that you are Pitta or Kapha Dosha. You may be wondering what a “Dosha” is, or exactly what it means to you.

"Dosha" or "Prakruti", are simply terms that Ayurvedic Practitioners use to describe people.  They are the way the elements manifest in a particular person, and one of the theories at the heart of Vedic or yogic practices.  According to Ayurveda, "Prakruti" or "Constitution", is formed at the time of conception. Prakruti is a Sanskrit word which means "nature" or "the first creation".  In Ayurveda there are three elements, that make up the Dosha system. Kapha which is "Earth with a bit of water", Pitta which is “Fire with a bit of water”, (think of it as gasoline) and Vata or "air".

While prakruti is fixed though-out your life time, all people must interact with their environment.  This interaction causes the body and mind to shift, attempting to keep things in balance.  The Constitution, your mind and body have shifted to is called "vikruti".  If the current state your mind body has shifted to is significantly different from your natural state, you can become “Imbalanced", which can lead to either illness or mental stress or both.  Like an active person suddenly forced by a broken ankle to stay in bed, being forced to act against our nature to keep things in balance can make us cranky and irritable or worse! It's no fun for us, or those around us and can lead to disastrous results.

Why should I care what my Dosha is?