Ayurveda for Beginners: Understanding the Three Doshas and Your Unique Body Type

In this month’s guided deep-dive with Pilar into the fascinating science of Ayurveda, we explore the forces and energies that govern all physical and mental processes in the body – AKA the three doshas.

In other words, we’ll be looking at how nature’s elements shape the unique composition of every single one of us.

If you’re new here and are as intrigued by this ancient science as we are – we recommend that you start with our previous blogs. There, Pilar takes us step-by-step along her journey through Ayurveda – starting with a strong introduction of the science of longevity, then covering a multitude of captivating Ayurvedic principles with each blog that follows.

If you’re all caught up on our Ayurveda blogs and have been excitedly waiting for the next one – the wait is over! Together, let’s explore The Elements Within: A Simple Look at the Three Doshas.

The three doshas: What are they?

If you practice yoga somewhat regularly, you’ve probably been introduced to some Ayurvedic language without even realizing it.

The word “dosha” is an ancient Sanskrit term that can be translated as “that which can go out of balance” or “fault”. The three doshas and their elements (which we’ll get to soon) are often woven into yoga classes and experiences – they certainly are here in our Bodhi Sessions: 7 Day Adult Surf + Yoga Camps.

But when looking at the doshas specifically through the lens of Ayurveda, it refers to the three primary energies or biological forces that govern all physical and mental processes in the body.

These three primary elements – or doshas – are:

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha

The complexity of these elementos goes far beyond just the three words. We’ll try to offer a brief and simple explanation of what they are and where they come from. To understand the doshas, we have to look back at their ancient origin story. It’s a bit mystical, sure — but it’s also a beautiful explanation of how nature lives inside us.

The Origin Story: Purusha and Prakriti

Ayurveda is rooted in Samkhya philosophy – a dualistic system that explores the origins of the material world.

According to Samkhya, through the union of two primary forces: Purusha (pure consciousness), and Prakriti (the creative force of nature) the material world unfolds, giving rise to five elements. These elements aren’t just things in the outside world. They are principles that exist within every cell of our bodies. They are:

Ether (Space): The space in which everything happens. In the body, this is the hollow space in our joints, our ears, and our digestive tract.

Air: The principle of movement. It governs the nervous system, the breath, and the flow of blood. Read more about air and breathing here!

Fire: The principle of transformation and heat. It is the power behind digestion and the “spark” of our intellect. Learn about Agni and taming that fire within.

Water: The principle of flow and lubrication. It protects our joints, keeps our skin supple, and allows for the movement of nutrients.

Earth: The principle of structure and stability. It gives us our bones, muscles, and our sense of being grounded.

From various combinations of these five elements, the three doshas are born.

Taking a second look at the three doshas

Having discovered where the three doshas come from, let’s now take a second look – in a bit more detail, at these three doshas, what they are, and what they mean for us:

1. Vata: The principle of movement

Elements: Ether + Air

The Vata Feel: Imagine a cool breeze or a swirling wind. Vata is responsible for all movement in the body. The beating of your heart, the breath in your lungs, and the rapid-fire communication of your nervous system.

• In Balance: When Vata is balanced, you feel creative, energetic, and lively. You are a clear communicator and a quick learner. You likely have a light, flexible body and a vibrant imagination that allows you to see possibilities where others see obstacles.
• Out of Balance: When the wind blows too hard, you might feel anxious, scattered, or forgetful. Physically, this often manifests as dry skin, cold hands and feet, or difficulty falling asleep.

Typical Traits: Slim build, irregular appetite, and a sensitive nervous system that is easily affected by loud noises or cold weather.

2. Pitta: The principle of transformation

Elements: Fire + Water

The Pitta Feel: Think of the midday sun or the heat of a transformation. Pitta governs digestion, metabolism, and the fire of the intellect. It is what allows us to process both our food and our complex life experiences.

• In Balance: A balanced Pitta shows up as a sharp mind, strong focus, and excellent leadership. You are organized, courageous, and have a strong, reliable digestion that can handle almost anything.
• Out of Balance: Too much fire leads to irritability, impatience, and anger. Physically, this can look like inflammation, skin rashes, or a feeling of being constantly overheated in mind and body.

Typical Traits: Medium, muscular build, a strong appetite (and that “hangry” feeling if a meal is missed!), and a natural drive toward ambition and perfectionism. Speaking of hunger – we’ve got an Ayurveda blog for that, too! Check it out here: Cooking With Prana.

3. Kapha: The principle of structure

Elements: Earth + Water

The Kapha Feel: Imagine the cool, moist earth or the steady, deep flow of a river. Kapha provides the lubrication for our joints, the moisture in our skin, and the strength of our immune system. It is the glue that holds us together and provides our physical and emotional stability.

• In Balance: When Kapha is steady, you are calm, compassionate, and incredibly loyal. You have great physical endurance and a long-term memory. You are often the rock in your family or community.
• Out of Balance: If Kapha becomes too heavy, it can lead to lethargy, resistance to change, or weight gain. Emotionally, you might find yourself feeling stuck or holding onto things longer than is healthy.

Typical Traits: Solid, sturdy build, slow and steady metabolism, and a nurturing, affectionate nature that values comfort and routine.

In a nutshell, breaking the three doshas down in the simplest terms, you can think of them as a sacred trinity of creation (Vata), transformation (Pitta), and preservation (Kapha).

Your unique blend of doshas

It’s become a bit of a trend in the yoga community to take online tests to figure out your constitution of doshas. It’s almost like taking a test to learn your personality type of exploring your zodiac sign.

According to Ayurvedic theory, we contain all three doshas. Think of them as the unique operating system for your body and mind. We all have all three, but we have them in different proportions.

Usually, one or two doshas dominate, and this defines our constitution (Prakriti) and influences how we go out of balance (Vikriti). Your Prakriti is your home base, your state of perfect balance. Over time, however, life happens. Stress, diet, climate, and habits can push us away from our blueprint, leading to a state of imbalance – Vikriti.

Holistic healing in Ayurveda is simply the art of returning from Vikriti back to yoiur Prakriti. Here are some examples of how having different proportions of the three doshas plays out in our lives:

• Someone with more Pitta may be athletic, focused, intelligent — and quick to anger.
• A Kapha-dominant person may be calm, loyal, grounded — but might also struggle with sluggishness or emotional heaviness.
• A Vata-type individual may be creative, expressive, light in frame — but prone to anxiety, insomnia, or dryness.

What does this tell me about myself and why does it matter?

Determining your true constitution of doshas isn’t always straightforward, and it also shouldn’t be used to squeeze yourself into a box that determines exactly who you are.

“Finding your dosha” is just step one. Discovering your prakriti does however allow you to recognize your natural tendencies — your strengths and vulnerabilities, so you can make better choices. It also allows us to see ourselves and others with more understanding and compassion. Learn more by heading over to our blog: Bringing Ayurveda Home.

It helps us understand our nature, so we can make informed, supportive choices for our health and well-being. Think of it like this: you’re a beautiful, flourishing garden. When tending a garden, you don’t treat all plants the same — you give each plant what it needs based on its nature and its environment.

In this same way, by realizing your dosha composition you can better understand how to give yourself what you need, based on current surroundings and the context of your life.

Instead of only looking at your doshas to reach this understanding, we recommend a full Ayurvedic consultation, where practitioners also assess your Agni (digestive fire), Ama (toxins), Dhatus (tissues), and more to better identify your unique Ayurvedic body type.

Frequently asked questions about doshas and Ayurveda for beginners

Can my dominant dosha change over time?

This is one of the most common points of confusion! According to Ayurveda, your Prakriti (your unique birth constitution) stays the same throughout your life — it is your “internal blueprint.” However, your Vikriti (your current state of balance) changes constantly based on the season, your age, stress levels, and even the climate you are in.

For example, a Kapha-dominant person might feel an increase in Vata (restlessness or dryness) during a cold, windy autumn or a high-stress period at work. The goal of Ayurveda is to recognize these shifts so you can use diet, herbs, and yoga to return to your natural home base.

How does knowing my dosha improve my surfing or yoga?

It helps you tailor your energy! In general:

• Vatas focus on grounding poses to calm a restless mind.
• Pittas use cooling breaths to avoid overheating and burnout.
• Kaphas use high-energy movement to clear lethargy. Knowing your type allows you to practice with your nature, rather than against it.

Interested in the sacred nature of energy? Learn more about preserving your energy through silence in our recent blog!

Why did I get different results on an online quiz?

Most quizzes capture your Vikriti (how you feel right now) rather than your lifelong blueprint. While they are fun to do, they can’t replace the intuition of a trained practitioner. For a true map of your constitution, we recommend a full consultation to look at your deeper biological markers.

Now that you’re familiar with the three doshas, here’s what’s next in your Ayurveda journey

Understanding the elements within you is a lifelong practice of self-discovery. The best way to begin is by stepping out of your routine and into a space where you can truly listen to your own nature.

We have intentionally hand-crafted our surf + yoga experiences immersed in nature and community to allow you to do exactly this. Now that you have an idea of your dosha composition, we invite you to take the next step and learn how to navigate the waves of life with more ease.

Join us for one of our award-winning surf + yoga vacations to see what happens when we stop fighting our nature and start working with it. When we understand our elements, we understand how to return to the center.

That’s all until next month! We’ll see you in the next Exploring Ayurveda blog – or better yet, maybe we’ll be seeing you here on our yoga platform!