Why Do Ayurvedic Body Types Matter?

Body types are the building blocks for diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance of health.

The three body types are reflections of qualities of nature. They give insight not just into the tendencies of our bodies, but of our mental, emotional, and behavioral characteristics, as well. Knowing your body type is the first and most critical step you can take to gain control of your health.

Once you understand yourself, you can guide your life towards the lifestyle and diet that makes sense for you.

Don’t settle for knowing you are a vata, or even a vata-pitta; you’re a multi-layered person with strengths and various dosha compositions in all different aspects of your life.

Understanding yourself is key to your ability to handle stress, interact with others, and develop unprecedented harmony in your life. Take the Ayurvedic Body Type Dosha Quiz for more information.

What are the Three Doshas?

1. Vata: the dry, light, winter dosha. Learn more about vata here.
2. Pitta: the hot, wet, summer dosha. Learn more about pitta here.
3. Kapha: the cold, wet, spring dosha. Learn more about kapha here.

What are Each Dosha’s Qualities and Imbalances?

According to Ayurvedic medicine, prevention is dictated by the unique requirements of your body type. Because we are unique, what we eat, how we exercise, when we sleep, and even where we prefer to live will be different from one person to the next. The healthiest practices for each individual are better understood by knowing one’s body type.

Below are the three doshas and their associated imbalances. Notice if any of the symptoms jump out at you. Look into pacifying that dosha to become more balanced in all three.