Auryveda: The 3 Doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha

Vata

When balanced 

cooler, dry, poor circulation, slim, fine bone structure, slight build, flexible (hyper), agile, physically active, hustling, busy, creative, abstract thinking, nervous, flighty, fearful, stiff, brittle, and rigid as age, rules bones - long bones 

When imbalanced

sleepy, indecisive, cold, nerves/worry, dry skin, insomnia, constipation, weight loss, brittle nails 

Foods to eat 

sweet potatoes, banana, oats, chicken, rice, lemon, avocado 

Foods to avoid 

potato, bean, cabbage, sprouts, cold drinks, crackers, barley, pear, apple 

Asana practice to bring vata into balance

breathing, slow steady gentle grounding strengthening, consistent, controlled asana, calm minds, deepen breath, warm up gradually, good fluid intake in class. Concentrate on pelvis and colon, release tension from hips, lumbar spine, sacroiliac jt. Seated poses good, strength and stillness in lower abs. Keep spinal column moving as vata accumulates in spine. Fwd bend decrease excessive vata, as do gentle backbends to ground and moderately strengthen. Stnding poses emphasize strength, stability, calm, focus, patience, concentration. Lotus, lion, hero, slow sun salutation, tree, trikonasana, warrior, gate, Stdg fwd bends, headstds, cobra, locust, spine twists esp supine

Pitta 

When balanced 

fire, quick thinker, harp wit/tongue, ambitious, intelligent, focused, works tirelessly, med to avg build, good musculature and flexibility, good circulation, oil lubricates joints. Aggressive, driven, like to excel, high achievers, technical practitioners so direct energy both physically and mentally.     

When unbalanced 

digestive complaints, anger, resentment, too hot, ulcers, skin irritations 

Foods to eat 

turkey, chickpea, coconut, mango, broccoli, rye bread,  rice, wheat, cauliflower, pear, leafy green 

Foods to avoid 

red meat, fried food, brown rice, tomato, yoghurt, sour cream, garlic, hot pepper, papaya, BBQ sauce 

Asana practice to bring pitta into balance

cool, diffuse energy, relax, surrendering, nurturing, gentle, forgiving, expansive, not heating or sweating. Balance natural heat with cooling restorative yoga. Balance heat from manipura with cool moisture from salivary glands. Do shldrstnd and plow to reverse sun and moon to bring balance. Spine twists help lunar without decreasing Agni/fire, release tension and clear in small intestine and liver to detox. Bow, cobra, boat, fish as energy flows downwards. Headstand and backbends create pitta. Fwd bends decrease pitta bring energy to mid abs and cool and ground.

Asana create cool, calm, content, calm, clear mind, awareness in meditation. Seated poses, moon salutation, Stdg hip openers, tree, trikonasana, ardha chandrasana, open leg fwd bend eg prasa padottonasana, shldr Std, boat, fish, cobra, bow, all seated fwd bends eg tortoise, upanavista konasana, Paschimottanasana, twists, yoga mudra 

Kapha

When balanced

cool, calm, rarely irritated, stocky, easily gain weight, big framed, poor flexibility, strong, trustworthy, loving 

When unbalanced

slow, steady, lethargic, weary, over sleepy, sinus problems and mucus, heaviness, dampness, fat/weight gain/obesity, congestion, avoid exercise, excess joint fluid, swollen glands, cysts, bone spurs. Poor circulation and slow digestion and low metabolism.

Foods to eat 

garlic, eggplant, leafy green, lentil, pawpaw, spinach leaves, apples, spices, light 

Foods to avoid 

seafood, meat, cheese, wheat, tomato, sugar, maple syrup, oranges, coconut, potato, banana, ice cream, yoghurt, less salt, sour, sweet.

Asana practice to bring kapha into balance

quickness, heat, effort, stimulate, moving, warming, lightening, energizing, releasing energy. No lotus due to joints. Movement inhibited by cold. Use heat to thaw the ice. But do gently, else energy can cause problems elsewhere if stimulated too strongly too quickly. Benefits from sweating and push beyond limits so challenge themselves. Seated asana increase kapha, easily tired, daydream easily. Warming pranayama. Strong vinyasa good as is standing and constant movement. Warrior to open chest, increase circulation, decrease mucus. No fwd bends as too calming already. Stimulate digestion in navel region via Agni. Bow pose, plow. Warm and lighten body, circulation improved. Mind and senses sharp and clear. Extd hand toe pose. Half moon, dog, up dog, inversions, backbends, twists, short savasana.