VATA - The Air or Nerve System Humor
Vata is dry, light, cold, mobile, active, clear, astringent, and it is dispersing. Vata season is autumn, time of day is afternoon and early morning.
The main characteristic of this Humor is the movement that seems to control anything is influenced by Vata Dosha. What is moved is called Vata, and this Energy of the human body is considered the driving force of all the biological reactions and the total of metabolism.
It moves the whole function of breathing, blinks the eyelids, moves the muscles, makes the heart beat and the blood flowing in the arteries and veins, forwards the food to the digestive tube, moves the cell membranes, sends the stimulants through the nerves, etc.
The fast succession of thoughts, the instability in the decision making and the uncertainty, the confusion and general mental over-activity are results come from the Vata Dosha influence to mental level.
VATA - Types and their Functions:
Vata Dosha is further divided into 5 types according to its seat and the different functions it carries.
Prana Vata: Governs the senses, creative thinking, reasoning, enthusiasm.
Udana Vata: Governs quality of voice, memory, movements of thought.
Samana Vata: Governs movement of food through digestive tract.
Apana Vata: Elimination of wastes, sexual function, menstrual cycle.
Vyana Vata: Governs blood flow, heart rhythm, perspiration, sense of touch.
Useful Tips to Balance Vata
DO's:
- Abhyangam (Ayurvedic massage with sesame oil).
- Stay warm in cold, windy weather.
- Consume warm, cooked foods (less raw foods).
- Go to bed early have lot of rest and sleep.
- Favor warm, oily, heavy food with sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
DON'Ts:
- Avoid light, dry, cold, pungent, bitter and astringent foods.
- Avoid raw foods, juices, fasting.
- Avoid stimulants, smoking, and alcohol.
- Refrain from excessive aerobic activity.
PITTA - The Fire Humor
Pitta has hot, sharp, light, liquid, sour, oily and spreading qualities. Pitta has a strong smell, like a fleshy smell, and has a sour or bitter taste.
Here the main characteristic is the heat that is revealed on anything is controlled by Fire Energy. The metabolism of the human body (both catabolism - decomposition and the anabolism - creation) as well as the digestive system (mainly the stomach and liver) is governed by Pitta. This energy controls the body temperature, the color and texture of skin as also the vision.
Mentally, it is related directly to anger, jealousy, hate and generally other "explosive" conditions. Moreover, it creates a strong feeling of discipline and "order of things".
Pitta -Types and their Functions
Alochaka Pitta: Controls functioning of the eyes.
Bhrajaka Pitta: Responsible for healthy glow of the skin.
Sadhaka Pitta: Controls desire, drive, decisiveness, spirituality.
Pachaka Pitta: Responsible for digestion, assimilation, metabolism for healthy nutrients and tissues.
Ranjaka Pitta: Responsible for healthy, toxin-free blood.
Useful Tips to Balance Pitta dosha
DO's
- Keep cool. Avoid hot temperatures and hot food.
- Favor cool, heavy, dry, sweet, bitter and astringent foods.
- Keep activities in Moderation.
- Keep regular mealtimes, especially at noon.
DON'Ts
- Avoid sesame and mustard oils, fish, buttermilk, mutton, acidic fruits, alcohol, meat and fatty, oily foods.
- Restrict pungent, sour, salty, warm, oily and light foods.
- Avoid over exertion.
- Avoid fasting.
KAPHA - The Water Humor
Heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, dense, thick, static and cloudy qualities. These are the important qualities of kapha, and kapha is sweet and salty.
This Humor is characterized by inherent humidity and unification ability. It is able to keep the various elements comprising the human body and mind linked, maintains the balancing of the rhizomes, moistens the skin, heals and unites the wounds and generally it provides a sense of well being and freshness.
Mentally, it is interrelated to memory but also to conditions of greed and possessiveness. On the other hand, another expression of this Energy is the free-heart, mental peace and feelings of erotic affinity for others.
Kapha - Types and their Functions:
Tarpaka Kapha: Responsible for moisture for nose, mouth, eyes and brain.
Bhodaka Kapha: Governs Sense of taste, which is essential for good digestion.
Kledaka Kapha: Controls moisture of the stomach and intestinal mucosal lining.
Avalambaka Kapha: Maintain proper functioning of the heart, strong muscles and healthy lungs.
Sleshaka Kapha: Lubricates the joints, Keeps skin soft and supple.
Useful Tips to Balance Kapha
DO's
- Do regular exercise, Begin with Sooryanamaskara to warm up your body, which should be followed by a Vigorous activity.
- Prefer warm temperatures, Stay warm and dry in cold, damp weather.
- Use Fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes.
- Favor pungent, bitter, astringent, light, dry and warm foods.
DON'Ts
- Reduce heavy, oily, cold, sweet, sour and salty foods.
- Avoid heavy meals.
- Sleep promotes Kapha hence avoid excessive sleep.
- All frozen desserts are to be avoided.
