If ‘doshas’ are dynamic energies, ‘Vata dosha’ is the kinetic energy. The Word ‘vata’ means ‘which moves’. Vatha dosha is initiator of all forms of activity.

It is important in the communication network of the body – from sense organ to brain and consciousness, from tissue to tissue and cell to cell. ‘Vata’ is responsible for perception (that includes pain), assimilation and reaction. It brings a thought from memory to consciousness and transfers current experience into memories. It inspires speech and is the base of laughter and exaltation. At the level of physical body it is responsible for micro and macro movement. Stress vitiates ‘vata’ which in turn alters ‘pitta’ or ‘kapha’ leading to wide verity of symptoms. Lack of sleep, excessive physical activity and long hours of fasting also vitiate ‘ vata’.

‘Pitta dosha’ is responsible for all types of transformations in the body. Pitta controls digestion of food as well as conversion of light rays that fall on the retina to electric impulses. In the brain there is a local ‘pitta dosha’, responsible for comprehension and analysis of data received.

A person with pre determined ‘pitta dosha’ is highly intelligent, quick to process sensory inputs and able to reach decisions promptly. Pitta controls emotion like anger, fear and bravado. Pitta controls digestion of food, it is responsible for hunger, appetite and thirst. It gives sheen to the skin. In contrast to vata, pitta is more physical. There are five types of ‘pitta dosha’.

Although predominance of ‘pitta dosha’ imparts a glow to the skin, and make the hair soft and shiny, it can lead to early wrinkling of skin, graying of hair and tendency to bald prematurely. Excessive sweating, intolerance to heat, warm soles and palms (often moist) are characteristics of ‘pitta’ predominance.

Increase in ‘pitta’ either due to dietary imbalance or other reasons lead to hunger but the food is not well digested, thus leaving the individual lethargic. Head aches, vomiting, or diarrhoea and skin disease occur. ‘Pitta dosha’ is most predominant during youth and adulthood.

‘Pitta’ get deranged on eating too spicy or oily food or on having a late night party ( particularly if alcoholic beverages have been consumed), or under tension and anxiety. If increased it can hasten aging, besides causing havoc to digestion. Pitta dosha is the upwardly mobile executive. ‘Pitta’ reflects the dynamics of youth.

‘Kapha dosha’, the third angle of ‘dosha’ triangle is also termed phlegm. It is the cohesive energy in the body, it smoothes out problems, lubricates and provides support when needed. It acts as in house public relations officer. If ‘vata’ is kinetic energy then ‘kapha’ is potential energy.

‘Kapha’ is very close to tissues and like ‘pitta’ has greater physical form than ‘vata’. It shares many of the properties of tissue it influences. It is anti thesis of ‘pitta’ and is protective in nature. Its main property is stability. In contrast of ‘pitta’, ‘kapha’ denotes loyalty, compassion and love. A predominance of this ‘dosha’ makes a person forgiving in nature free from envy and endowed with patience. It gives mental strength and resistance to diseases. It gives firmness to joints while keeping them lubricated. It also enhances sexual potency.

There are five types of kapha dosha, based on both anatomy and body function. Kapha being made up of water and earth is heavy and moist. Sweet, sour and salty items in the food can thus disturb this inherently heavy ‘dosha’. Carbohydrates and fats can increase ‘kapha’. It usually at its most prominent during morning and early evening. Similarly springtime seen that ‘kapha dosha’ at its most aggressive. It is during this time that the people with ‘kapha dosha’ suffer the most and if sweet meats are consumed in large quantities they tend to become lazy.

Predominance of ‘kapha’ makes a person plump, contented and perhaps a little slow. Yet this property makes the person have an immense duralicity in most adverse conditions. If this dosha is deranged there can be emaciation, impotence, dry mouth, poor digestion. ‘Kapha’ abnormalities lead to respiratory disease, polyuria, feeble mindedness, weakness and lethargy. Kapha is gentle arbitrator, controlling the youthfulness of ‘pitta’, but always willing to obey ‘vata’.