Know your dosha, live your healthiest life
Have you ever walked away from an astrological reading and had a magical feeling of contentment? A sense that things somehow just make ‘better sense’ and you’ve got some new insight that will help you live with more ease?
I have a few friends who are astrologers and every time I’ve had a reading I’ve learned more about myself, encountered lots of ‘ah-has’, and noticed how seemingly unrelated events and things that showed up in my experience actually fit perfectly together. Plus, coming away from a session knowing specific dates and things to be aware of to maximize my energies and opportunities over a given period of time is amazing too.
Discovering your dosha, or innate mind/body energetic constitution can be a similar experience!
Which is one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about Ayurveda - it shifted things with my own health so much that when I was doing private 1:1 nutrition and wellness coaching I took an extensive certification course so I could use the teachings to support my clients. Even today as M+W has evolved to mainly focus on helping creative entrepreneurs and small businesses build impactful, heart-centered brands, I still apply Ayurvedic protocols to my life every day. And, I’ll keep posting about it here on the M+W blog - because ‘if you have your health you have everything’! Truly. Ayurveda is just one powerful tool you can add to your toolbox to live better whether you’re a business owner or not!
The ancient 5,000-year-old teachings of Ayurveda (the sister science to yoga) are actually the precursor to modern day integrative medicine. I love that it’s all about self-awareness and keeping the body, mind, and spirit in vibrant balance and prevention of disease - in a state of thriving vs. the band-aid ‘fixes’ of invasive drugs and surgery.
In this quick primer, I’ll walk you through beginning to uncover your dosha at the time of birth (known as prakruti) at how this knowledge and awareness can help you maintain balance and vibrant health today.
First of all, know that each of us contains all three dosha energies (vata, pitta, kapha) in varying amounts at birth. It’s only through the passage of time that our innate doshic makeup can fall out of alignment and we can accumulate an imbalance of one or more of the 3 energies.
Check out the general characteristics of each dosha below and see if you can identify yourself in one or more of them (thinking about the way you were in childhood).
VATA DOSHA - vata dosha is comprised of the elements of ether/space and air and represents movement. People who are vata dominant can tend to have small bones, be thin and fast moving. They seem to constantly be on the move. When in balance, Vata types are energetic, creative, flexible, and free flowing. An excess or imbalance of vata energy can lead to fear, constipation, dry skin and hair, and a feeling of being scattered and unable to focus. You may start A LOT of different projects but not seem to be able to finish any of them.
PITTA DOSHA - pitta dosha is comprised of the elements of fire and water. Those with predominately pitta energies are often medium-tall with balanced builds with good muscle tone, and can sweat easily. Many pittas have tenacious, goal-oriented, driven characteristics and are consummate schedulers and business leaders. Heartburn, acid reflux, burnout, anger, and irritability can present as signs of imbalance.
KAPHA DOSHA - kapha dosha is made up of the elements of earth and water. And, of course, if you mix earth and water you get mud! This is a good way to spot excess or imbalance in pitta types. Many have large, softer/rounder body types and healthy thick hair and skin. When in balance they can be loyal, predictable, callm, easy going and forgiving. When out of balance they may become sluggish, inactive, and slow to let go of things and relationships that no longer serve them. Weight gain and jealousy can also show up when there is an excess of pitta energy.
Fascinating isn’t it? Can you spot your primary dosha type or an imbalance in your mind and body right now? Knowing your Ayurvedic dosha is a first powerful step to living more vibrantly and preventing disease before it has time to take hold. Once you know your doshic makeup at time of birth, and you’re able to be aware so you can spot signs of imbalance, you’re on your way. From there you can learn simple diet and lifestyle protocols that will help guide your body back into balance. I’ll be sharing more about how to balance your body in coming posts and please feel free to contact me if you have questions in the meantime.
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