Discover Your Ayurvedic Body Type (Emotional)
Ayurveda is the term used for traditional Indian medicine that has been in practice for 6,000 years. It literally translates to “The Science of Life”. The basic principle of Ayurveda is that health comes from alignment with who you are, as you come out of alignment you feel imbalanced.
Balance is unique to each individual and is based on the combination of the five elements that created you at the time of your conception. These 5 elements are: earth, water, fire, air, and ether.
The 3 body types are each a combination of two of the five elements. Most people are a combination of 2 body types, but you can have one type that dominates or be tri-doshic (balanced in all 3 types). You may find their behavioural and emotional tendencies are the same as your body type, but it can also be different than your physical body type.
Qualities of Vata: Cold, light, dry, irregular, rough, moving, quick, changeable
When in balance: Vibrant, lively, enthusiastic, clear and alert mind, flexible, exhilarated, imaginative, sensitive, talkative, quick to respond
When out of balance: Restless, unsettled, light interrupted sleep, tendency to over-exert, fatigued, constipated, anxious, worried, underweight
What Aggravates Vata: Irregular routine, staying up late, irregular meals, cold, dry weather, excessive mental work, travelling
What Balances Vata: Routine, meditation, consistency, warmth
Aggravating Tastes: Pungent, Bitter, Astringent
Balancing Tastes: Sweet, Sour, Salty
Super Foods: Beets, Sweet Potatoes, Dates, Eggs, Papayas, Amaranth, Fennel, Figs, Mangoes
Qualities of Pitta: Hot, light, intense, penetrating, pungent, sharp, acidic
When in balance: Warm, loving, contented, enjoys challenges, strong digestion, lustrous complexion, good concentration, articulate and precise speech, courageous, bold, sharp wit, intellectual
When out of balance: Demanding, perfectionist, tendency toward frustration, anger, tendency towards skin rashes, irritable, and impatient, prematurely gray hair or early hair loss
What Aggravates: Excessive heat or exposure to the sun, alcohol, smoking, time pressure deadlines, excessive activity, skipping meals
What Balances: Coolness, avoiding deadlines, playing games, seeing beautiful things especially moonlight
Aggravating Tastes: Pungent, Sour, Salty
Balancing Tastes: Sweet, Bitter, Astringent
Super Foods: Asparagus, Apples, Blueberries, Cabbage, Celery, Dandelion, Grapes, Guava, Pineapples, Tofu
Qualities of Kapha: Heavy, slow, steady, solid, cold, soft, oily
When in balance: Affectionate, compassionate, forgiving, emotionally steady, relaxed, methodical, good memory, good stamina, stability, natural resistance to sickness
When out of balance: Complacent, dull, oily skin, allergies, slow digestion, lethargic, possessive, over attached, tendency to oversleep, overweight
What balances: change, variety, exercise, warmth and dryness, light, warm, non-oily foods and drinks
What Aggravates Kapha: Excessive rest and oversleeping, overeating, insufficient exercise, too little variety in life, heavy, unctuous foods, cold & wet weather
Aggravating Tastes: Sweet, Sour, Salty
Balancing Tastes: Pungent, Bitter, Astringent
Super Foods: Dried Fruit, Sprouts, Bell Peppers, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Onions, Honey, Hot Peppers, Peas