Having a Vata Pitta Kapha predominant Constitution (prakriti) means that all the following qualities can express themselves generously throughout your mental, emotional, and physical make up.
Someone with Vata Pitta Kapha Dosha (predominant Constitution) can have for example dry skin, dry lips, dry hair, dry nails, feel cold more easily than others, hot temper, sharp tongue, slow reaction and a cloudy mind.
AND because Ayurveda is built around the basic idea of like increases like Vata, Pitta and Kapha will increase in your body, mind, and spirit by increasing the qualities above. So:
Cool weather, cool food, cool emotions as dry seasons, dry food, a dry environment will increase the cool and dry quality and thereby increase Vata.
Hot weather, hot food, the hot seasons and hot times of day will increase Pitta.
Cold weather, heavy foods or wet seasons tend to increase Kapha.
| BUT Vata in excess can be unhealthy and lead to the following | BUT Pitta in excess can be unhealthy and lead to the following | BUT Kapha in excess can be unhealthy and lead to the following |
Signs or symptoms
| on a psychological level | on a psychological level | on a psychological level |
|---|
- mental restlessness (fear, worries, you can’t switch off)
- Nervousness
- Memory problems,
- Difficulty finding words
- Sleep disorders
- Hypersensitivity of the senses
- irritability
- Aggression
- righteousness
- quarrelsomeness
- mental sluggishness,
- slowness
- Weak drive
- Melancholy
| on a physical level | on a physical level | on a physical level |
|---|
- Joint,
- back,
- headaches
- dry skin,
- mucous membranes
- Constipation
- flatulence
- Cramps
- Tremble
- Heat
- Burn
- Sweat
- Inflammations
- ulcers
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Skin redness
- Liver and bile disorders
- Feeling of heaviness
- Obesity
- Water accumulation
- Excessive mucus formation
- Susceptibility to colds
- Allergies
HOW TO BALANCE (VIKRIT) – Vata Pitta Kapha
| When healthy Vata governs our capacity we experience | When healthy Pitta governs our capacity we experience | When healthy Kapha governs our capacity we experience |
|---|
- flexibility
- joy
- expansive consciousness
- intelligence
- charisma
- courage
- clarity and the light of understanding
- nourishment
- growth
- stamina
As mentioned before Ayurveda is built around the basic idea that like increases like and opposites balance.
-> So you balance a dosha by using the opposite.
| Qualities opposite to Vata are those: | Qualities opposite to Pitta are those: | Qualities opposite to Kapha are those |
|---|
- moist grounding
- warming
- smooth
- oily
- stabilizing
- dry
- soft
- cool
- heavy
- sweetsmelling
- contained
- warm
- dry
- light
- active
Everything can be used to restore healthy balance because everything that exists has a quality. This includes but is not limited to: foods, colors, smells, and lifestyles.
Lifestyle
- Live with calm awareness and a gentle pace.
- A regular, daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping, and working.
- Keeping warm, no matter what the weather. Try warm baths and warm drinks.
- Taking time to slow down and turn inward with meditation or a good book.
- Taking a deep breath after swallowing your last bite and heading off to your next activity.
- Eating your meal in a peaceful environment.
- Surrendering rather than controlling.
- A supportive daily routine with regular times for eating, sleeping and working.
- Avoid exercising during the hot part of the day.
- Keeping your mind and body cool.
- Giving yourself ample time to wind down in the evenings without screens or to-do lists.
- Stimulating your body and mind on a daily basis with a routine.
- Keeping your body warm and dry, no matter what the weather.
- Trying new things, taking risks, and being spotaneous.
- Lively and invigorating music, experiences, and company.
Yoga
Vata-pacifying yoga to help calm the mind, settle the nervous system, and balance excess Vata.
Pitta-pacifying yoga for cool the body, calm the mind, and help balance excess Pitta.
Kapha-pacifying yoga to warm your body, uplift your spirits.
Clothing, colors, smells & jewellery
- warm clothes in warm and earthy colors.
- scents of wood, resins, spices and medicinal herbs such as St. John’s wort and basil.
- wearing gold jewellery and stones such as ruby, topaz, yellow sapphire, amethyst or red coral support the Vata type.
- Breathable clothing in cooling, soothing colors and made from natural materials.
- Sweet, cooling scents such as jasmine, rose and sandalwood.
- as well as jewellery made of silver or white gold and stones such as rose quartz, pearls, moonstone, aquamarine, water opal and emerald are ideal for Pitta.
- Clothing with stimulating colors and breathable materials.
- jewellery fiery red ruby, red coral or garnet and as metal as possible pure gold.
Food
To favor because it decrease Vata
- Foods that are naturally sweet, sour, and salty in taste.
- Warm foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Whole, freshly cooked foods.
Plenty of warm drinks and herbal teas.
more details about Food for Vata
To favor because it decrease Pitta
- Foods that are naturally Sweet (wheat), bitter, and astringen (leafy greens and herbs).
- Cooling foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- A balance of whole, freshly cooked foods and fresh, raw foods.
- Cooling herbs and spices.
Soothing herbal teas.
more details about Food for Pitta
To favor because it decrease Kapha
- Foods that are pungent, bitter, or astringent in taste.
- Warm foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Whole, freshly cooked foods.
- Light, dry, and warm foods.
- Only room temperature or warm drinks and herbal teas.
- Lots of veggies. Favor warm cooked veggies as much as possible.
- Enjoy coffee and caffeine only in moderation.
more details about Food for Kapha
To avoid because it increase Vata
- Foods that are bitter, astringent, and pungent.
- Foods that are cooling, both energetically and in temperature.
- Dry and light foods.
- Too much raw food, especially in the mornings and evenings.
- Most beans, including cold soy products.
- Highly processed foods (like canned or frozen foods, “TV” dinners or pastries).
- Cold or carbonated drinks.
Caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants. - Overeating or eating very heavy meals.
- Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice within 1/2 hour of any other food.
- Foods or drinks that contain refined sugar or corn syrup.
Deep-fried foods. - Hard alcohol..
To avoid because it increase Pitta
- Foods that are Pungent,(chili pepper) sour(pickles), and salty (salt).
- Warming foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Spicy foods like chili and cayenne peppers.
- Highly processed foods (like canned or frozen foods, TV dinners, or pastries).
- Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice in combination with other foods.
- Caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants. If you are a coffee lover, add milk or almond milk to balance its effects.
- Red meat.
- Deep fried foods.
- Alcohol, except for an occasional beer or white wine.
To avoid because it increase Kapha
- Foods that are sweet, sour, and/or salty.
- Cooling foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Heavy and oily foods, such as cheese, French fries, nuts, or pastries.
- Highly processed foods (e.g. canned or frozen foods, “TV” dinners or pastries).
- Cold, iced, or carbonated drinks.
- Overeating or eating heavy meals.
- Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice within 1/2 hour of any other food.
- Excessive red meat.
- Foods or drinks that contain refined sugar or corn syrup.
- Deep fried foods.
- Alcohol, except for an occasional glass of dry red or white wine.
General rules of Food Combining
In Ayurveda, digestion is the key to good health, as weak digestion can lead to the accumulation of ama (toxins) and imbalances in the doshas. That’s why it is especially important to follow the general eating rules. This includes eating in a calm environment, chewing food thoroughly, choosing warm and freshly prepared meals, and avoiding incompatible food combinations. Ayurveda also recommends eating in alignment with the body’s natural rhythm—the main meal should be at midday when the digestive fire (agni) is at its strongest. These principles support better nutrient absorption, increased energy, and long-term balance in both body and mind.
