Understanding Ayurveda and Your Type: Vata, Kapha, Pitta

Ayurveda, or the "science of life", hails from India. Personally, I have found it to be very useful in setting guidelines in how to dictate my life. Often, we go through life not really sure what to eat, when to sleep, etc., but Ayurvedic wisdom outlines some very important (and fascinating) guidelines for when to sleep. For example, ever remember in college, when on Saturday nights you'd catch a second wind after 10 p.m. or so to party late into the night? Well, Ayurveda states that there are time periods throughout the day that can determine our energy levels. So from 2 am to 6 am and 2 pm to 6pm, these are the vata times during which you'll have creativity yet low physical strength. The kapha period runs from 6am to 10 am and from 6 pm to 10pm, during which one will be sluggish. I certainly know that from 6 to 10 at night, I definitely have low reserves of energy, and feel like I could drift off to sleep by 10 pm. After 10 pm, if I stay up long enough, I will be able to stay up way later. From 10 am to 2pm and from 10pm to 2am are the Pitta periods, which are marked by firey energy.

Ayurveda also states that there are three constitutional types: Vata, Kapha and Pitta. The Vata types are creative, verbally skilled and usually physically lean. Some of their ailments, if they don't take good care of themselves and eat according to their constitutional types, could include problems of the nervous system. Their minds are always running. They fare best of simple dry foods like cereals.

Kapha types are physically solid, and are usually patient individuals. They have a tendency towards dampness and coolness, and their skin is usually moist and pale. They can gain weight easily because they tend towards sluggishness, and their metabolisms are usually slow. They can also eat a lot, and tend to have that slow-and-steady digestion. If their constitution is not aptly balanced, then they will accumulate extra mucuos, which can lead to various health problems. They should incorporate spicy foods into their diets.

Pitta people are run by fire, meaning their digestion is strong, their skin can be oily and warm (they often are plagued by pimples and other "firey" skn conditions). They need to have consistent meals. Their problems could be due to their impatience, and poor choice of food for their types, which could lead to inflammatory disorders. They should minimize spicy foods and eat more cooling foods, like cucumbers.

I have found that astrological signs and Ayurvedic constitutions correlate in some way. I'm a Taurus, meaning I'm an earth sign. That would make me primarily Kapha, which fits my description perfectly. It means that I have to make extra efforts to stimulate and motivate myself, and to balance myself in other areas. My Virgo friend is a combination of Kapha and Vata, which also is appropriate, since she's mostly earthy, but with Vata tendencies (Virgos are self-criticial and highly analytical).