Understanding the DOSHAS

Deepak Chopra, physician, author and world famous leader in the field of mind-body medicine, teaches that perfect health is much more than just the absence of disease. He maintains, 'Health is a lively state of balance and integration of body, mind and spirit.'

Chopra teaches that each of us have a unique mind/body makeup; an inherited combination of mind/body principles that form our unique mental and physical characteristics.

These characteristics are determined by three 'energies' or 'principles' called DOSHAS which orchestrate all the activities occurring within us. The three doshas are known as: Pitta, Kapha and Vata.

The five fundamental elements of the universe--space, air, fire, water and earth--in combinations of two's--are contained within each of the three doshas. The Pitta dosha is a combination of fire and water. The Vata dosha is made up of space and air and the Kapha dosha is a combination of water and earth. Each of us have a personal combination that is inherited at birth, and is termed our 'ayurveda'.

Most individuals have one or two doshas that are more lively or dominant, with the remaining dosha(s) less significant. Sometimes, the combination has all three doshas almost equal in dominance, or with just one very prominent dosha. This combination determines our basic nature; our unique doshic thumbprint.

To determine our individual combination of doshas, a detailed list of questions known as the Dosha Quiz is used. The questions gather a combination of information about our physical and mental traits and behaviors--the way we've been since childhood. These are the basic patterns that have remained throughout our lives.

To maintain good health and well being, the three doshas must maintain balance. They do not have to remain equal in balance (unless you were born with all three doshas equal) but they need to maintain the original inherited dosha make-up--your ayurveda. When the doshas are in balance we enjoy good health. The restoring of balance is the main theme of the ayurvedic approach to health.

Several factors can influence this balance such as diet, lifestyle, climate, work, levels of environmental pollution, relationships and just the passing of time which makes us age. The imbalance of just one area of our lives can create 'vikriti' or imbalance and we eventually lose our good health.

Restoring the ayurveda is the basic approach to achieving and maintaining good health. By learning and understanding our own combinations of the three doshas, and by implementing an individual program including diet, lifestyle modifications and herbal formulas, we can restore and maintain balance and well-being to our bodies,