Original Post Written 7/14/20
I set out to write a blog post about Doshas but as fate would have it I just spent the last week learning more about Doshas then I ever dreamed!
So instead this blog will be about true nature and will include the topic of doshas.
When we are born we have already installed, a true nature. Whether your true nature is quiet and consistent or energetic and focused or anywhere in-between we all have a place we start. You may even say away the creator made us. For my purposes today I am calling that your true nature. Yoga would call it Prakriti. Some say that Prakriti is a result of actions taken before your birth, but I think we can all agree that we come into this life with a predisposition to temperament and body shape and maybe even health … things like that.
At the risk of over-simplifying …. Yoga describes true nature into three categories; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. But you aren’t one or the other. It’s more like this… imaging Vata is yellow, Pitta is red and Kapha is blue. When you move closer to the one you move further away from the others. So you have some amount of all three but the more you have of one the less you have of the others.
Ok so let’s just imagine that we know our true nature. Life and circumstance can influence our true nature too! So… you start somewhere and then you have free will to make changes. What you do, eat, and think will influence your current state. If your current state gets out of balance and too close or too far toward Vata, Pitta, or Kapha then you have a challenge. That challenge is called a Dosha.
I am a neophyte when it comes to determining dosha. I have only been learning about it for 6 years or so (10 years now). And I haven’t focused on it much at all. The system is very complicated but the more I learn the more it makes sense. Here is a little of what I know so far and if you find it interesting feel free to contact me. I will also put info about each of the people who have taught me at the end of this post.
Vata – They may have curly hair, thin build, and dry skin. They are mostly born under an air sign in astrology (make sure you use a Jyotish zodiac). They are dreamers/innovators and teachers, not worried about the schedule, they may have inconsistent digestion and they find it hard to put on or maintain weight. Their sleep is inconsistent like many other things in their life. They love change!
Pitta – They may be hot-tempered, have hot hands, muscular build. Charismatic or boisterous really hard workers. They can eat/digest anything! Pitta is the doer! They don’t want to dream the want to do. They are happiest with a plan, a deadline, and a purpose. They are born under fire signs.
Kapha – holds on to hydration and weight easily, cool skin, and soft build. They probably won’t be boney J. They are great listeners and nurtures. Salt of the earth kind of people. They have a side hip and are quiet. Born under water or earth signs. They are consistent and don’t enjoy change. Slow and Steady. They love to sleep and they are good at it!
There is so much more! But for today I am hoping that you will take from this that you have a nature from birth, you have family and habits and culture that influences that nature and molds it over time. You also have the ability to make changes and to shape your current and future experience.
Check out: Eleni Tsikrikas, she was the first teacher to introduce me to Ayurveda. She also taught the Women’s health series for the Come As You Are community a few years back.
She is a wealth of information and is so easy to talk to. She currently lives in Australia where she practices and teaches practitioners but takes appointments via video chat.
eleniayurveda@me.com
+61433 518 769
www.bellymindinstitute.com
Laura Plumb, author and amazing teacher, she held a weekend-long workshop that focused on the elements and nature of Ayurveda. It was a great second look at Ayurveda. I bought her cookbook and I find it easy to use and I love the emails she sends out. I am ready to learn more J Check out Laura’s range of events and opportunities at:
laura@lauraplumb.com
Mas Vidal, author, teacher, manufacture of high-quality Ayurvedic products and practitioner, Mas is known world-wide for his expertise and ability to make Ayurveda approachable while maintaining the complexity required to show the scope of Ayurveda. Taking his 50-hour workshop has sparked an interest. I look forward to learning more from Mas in the near future.
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