The 3 doshas

Doshas are biological humors that structure systems and govern the psycho-physiological functions of every individual. Each dosha is a combination of two elements. At the moment of conception a person receives a unique combination of these doshas from their parents, known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. This combination exists in every cell of a person’s body and creates their constitutional nature (prakriti). As a person grows and develops their amount of Vata, Pitta, Kapha their system will also be affected by their diet, environment, emotions and lifestyle.

The 5 elements

Ayurveda views the physical body along with everything in the Universe as being composed of five primary elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether or empty space. These elements are expressed in the body and mind as qualities of stability/support (earth), feeling/fluidity (water), heat and metabolism (fire), respiration and circulation (air), space and lightness (ether). The proportions of these elements within and around us have profound influences on how we experience our physical, psychological, and spiritual selves.

People will often gravitate toward food and activities that reflect or increase an element(s) tone that they are familiar with. A good example is a person with an abundance of the air element might choose a light, ethereal foods and activities while a fire type might choose intense, precise, heating/spicy food and activities. It is important to work in a way that “feels right” but also consciously cultivates complementary traits, such as grounding and stillness for the air type, or coolness and relaxation for the fire type in order to strike a balance.