The world is made up of five principles, they are space, air, fire, water and earth. These five principles make up three mind body constitutions called Doshas. Each individual person can find that they are one of the below Doshas or a combination of the three. The below are general guidelines to start you on your path to thinking about your body and mind and how you relate to the world.

For example in 2005 as I was new to Ayurveda and upon studying the Mind Body principle I thought that I was a Pitta Vata combination. It was not until I visited the Chopra Center for Well-being in 2006 that they recognized me as a Vata Dosha only. I did benefit from a Doctor of Ayurveda's expertise as I now modify my diet, exercise and meditation routines to balance my current state.

The Vata Dosha is Space and Air. The Vata body is light and thin by nature, hands and feet are often cold. The hair, skin and nails are thin and dry. These people are extremely creative and by nature very active. It is difficult for a Vata to gain weight. Temperament is very enthusiastic and finds joy in change.

The Pitta Dosha is Fire and Water. The Pitta body is of medium build and muscular by nature, They can gain and lose weight easily. Hair has a tendency to gray early. Their skin is warm, irritable and sometimes red toned. Convincing others is the Pitta temperament.

The Kapha Dosha is Water and Earth. The Kapha body is heavy, stocky or round build, frame is thick. Skin and hair are thick, glossy, smooth and glowing. The eyes of the Kapha are large and relaxed. Weight is gained easily and hard to lose. They are a very supportive and accepting person.

Feeling Unbalanced?

Unbalanced Vata - insomnia, degenerative arthritis, depression, constipation, irregular menstruation, dry and flaky eczema.

Unbalanced Pitta - heart burn, itchy and irritable eczema, irritable digestion, inner fire increases.

Unbalanced Kapha - sleeps all day, slow bowel function, allergies and congestive heart fluid.

Food for Balance

Eating to Balance Vata - Under stressful situations Vatas have a tendency to skip meals and have poor sleeping habits. If you are a Vata and feeling anxious it will help to balance you if you eat more sweet, sour and salty foods, which will actually ground and calm Vata. **Think Fruits, vegetables and pasta.

Eating to Balance Pitta - Pitta's have a tendency to be critical, impatient, intolerant easily frustrated and strongly opinionated when out of balance. If you are a Pitta and feeling unbalanced eat more sweet, bitter and astringent (beans, legumes, lentils) foods. **Try a bitter chocolate bar which will actually sooth the Pitta Dosha.

Eating to Balance Kapha - If you are withdrawing during conflict, watching others exercise instead of participating, collecting clutter and having difficulty leaving a relationship or job that is actually proving to have a negative impact you need to balance your Kapha Dosha. **Try eating pungent (pepper, ginger, garlic), bitter (green and yellow vegetables) or astringent foods (beans, legumes, tea, apples, pomegranate). And start to move your body not in two weeks but today.

The above are general guidelines to start you on your path to thinking about your body and mind and how you relate to the world. These are not intended to self diagnose, these concepts are extremely in-depth, and you will find as you study more Ayurvedic principles that it pays to visit a Doctor of Ayurveda or study with a Professeur of Ayurvedic Medicine to be fully aware of your personal Dosha or your personal combination of the mind, body principles.