When trying to understand why we are the way we are, particularly in conjunction with an active desire to work with weight, stress, and personal growth issues, it is useful to have a definition of balance as a starting place for our inquiry. In the study of Ayurveda [i-yur-VAY-da], the sister science to Yoga whose literal translation means "life science," the definition of balance is universal in nature, containing common elements that are inclusive of all mind and body types; it is personal in nature, individualized to fit the unique attributes of each individual. This definition allows us to relate to characteristics everyone carries, as well as our own views of ourselves.
Often when we are under stress, or are continually displeased with our bodies, when we view ourselves as "less than on top of our game," we examine our less constructive tendencies too harshly. The concept of balance allows us to step back from our passions and see ourselves more objectively, and so more clearly see the thoughts and actions that combine to make up our distinct selves. As we learn more about the common tendencies within these mind-body types, we may then discover how these tendencies relate to our individual situations and conditions. Understanding our tendencies lets us examine those aspects of ourselves that keep us in balance and allows us less judgmental, more creative ways to view and address the causes of imbalance.
According to Ayurveda, everyone is made up of the same elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth), and personal differences stem from the unique combinations of these elements in varying amounts as they manifest in physiological, mental, and emotional patterns. These elements combine to form three main mind-body types, or doshas:
Vata [VAH-tah]
Airy and ethereal (manifesting as movement, breath, consciousness)
Pitta [PIT-tah]
Fire and water (manifesting as metabolism, vitality, perception)
Kapha [KAH-fah]
n Water and earth (manifesting as bodily tissue, evenness, patience)
We all have these qualities in various and unique proportions, which make up our constitution or Prakruti, and usually two of the three types predominate, such as Vata/Pitta, Vata/Kapha, Pitta/Vata, Pitta/Kapha, Kapha/Vata, or Kapha/Pitta. In a balanced state, it is rare for a person to have a single predominating mind-body type or all three equally. However, a person can be in an aggravated condition and currently be overinfluenced by one category. In most cases, a person will have one mind-body type that will tend to be a predominate influence on physiology, thoughts, or emotions followed by a secondary type that, to a lesser degree, also manifests. The remaining mind-body type is also present but influences the person to an even lesser degree.
A good starting place for finding balance is recognizing andunderstanding both the nurturing and the disruptive qualities of your mind-body type, so you may increase and engage your positive, more constructive qualities to assist you in reaching your goals. Determining your mind-body type may be confusing at first, since sometimes you may identify with one grouping of characteristics, and at other times another. The more you begin to explore the combination of mind-body characteristics that creates your constitution, however, the more you will begin to learn which categories predominate and influence you most.
As you begin to identify characteristics specific to your constitution, you may also begin to notice similarities between yourself and life around you. In Ayurveda, not only are human aspects comprised of the five elements, but all aspects of life come from at least one of the five elements. It is helpful to look at these qualities from a broader perspective, and engage the imagination (and sense of humor!) while doing so. Looking at Ayurveda from a more metaphorical perspective will allow you to see a broader connection with life around you, while simultaneously gaining benefit from your introspection. In a mature Ayurvedic practice, a person can begin to feel in sync internally as well as externally with the surrounding environment. In this way, your sense of "feeling centered" has less likelihood of being disrupted by outside events; they are allowed in, but not blindly, maintaining your feelings of balance.
Table 1 (see page 6) describes the three main mind-body types in a worksheet format.* As you become more familiar with these terms and their qualities, you will begin to see how these attributes have shaped who you are, on physical, emotional, and mental levels. You may also gain insight into the constitutions and tendencies of those people around you. To determine your predominate mind-body category, put a checkmark in front of each line of characteristics (in each column) that best describes you when you are in a peaceful, healthy state, or perhaps the way you were as a child. Sometimes these characteristics may differ from your current condition, which is a clue to a potential source of irritation or imbalance.
If you are not sure if an aspect is your "true" nature but rather a response to an imbalance, indicate what is currently true for you. Count the checkmarks in each column, and add up your totals. The column with the greatest number of attributes marked is your primary mind-body type, and the column with the second greatest number of attributes marked is your secondary mind-body type, or dosha. As you become more familiar with your characteristics, your initial vision of your mind-body type may change, much like layers of an onion peeled back to expose a core. It's all a part of the self-discovery process, which may be frustrating as you first begin to gather information, but rewarding as insight comes.
The Psychology of the Doshas
Now that you have begun to get an idea of your particular constitution, let's take a look at each dosha from a broader perspective.
Vata is a combination of ether and air. Consider the characteristics of ether and air: you know both exist but you can't actually see them, only their results. You can't see wind, but you see trees moving in the wind. Something that is ethereal does not exist literally,in a tangible, physical form, but rather in our minds and imaginations. Hence, Vata is a light, changeable, hard-to-pin-down quality; it's creativity and imagination, or playfulness and shyness. As represented in the seasons, Vata is found in the changeable seasons of spring and fall. Both seasons are transitions from definite states of hot and cold. Anyone who has ever tried to plant a vegetable garden can tell you that spring is unpredictable, with bursts of sunshine and warmth (should I plant those seeds now?), followed by dark clouds and rain (oops, the carrot seedlings just got washed away)-perhaps within moments of each other. Fall is a jittery time, too, with dry, brittle leaves carried capriciously by gusts of wind, with bursts of glowing, changing color against deep blue skies. Other examples in our world that illustrate the quality of Vata are quickly moving chipmunks always watchful for danger, or the fluffy foam on a cappuccino, or certain jobs such as a receptionist, whose job is juggling many tasks while conducting short, brief conversations with a variety of people.
In contrast to the lightness of Vata, Pitta is much more intense and purposeful. Composed of fire and water, Pitta is summer, the time of heat, thunderstorms, chili peppers, and an industrious time for growing crops. Pitta is athleticism, intelligence, the need to get things done and impatience when things aren't done correctly. Pitta is how you feel when someone cuts you off on the freeway in rush-hour traffic. Pitta can be very clear and to the point, and often offensive if the feelings of others are not taken into consideration. Pitta types usually take charge of a situation or exert leadership influences in some way. They are good at getting to the source of a problem. Pitta eyes see right through you, like a jackhammer rat-a-tat-tatting through to your bones. When Pitta is not balanced by rest and play, stress is the result.
Kapha, comprised of water and earth, has a much smoother quality than jumpy Vata or forceful Pitta. People with a lot of Kapha are usually well liked, as their natures tend to be more jovial and thoughtful of others. Kapha can be soothing, as a much deserved nap after a long hike, or numbing, as in watching too much TV and eating too many potato chips while on the couch. Steady movements, like a farmer plowing row after row after row with his tractor, are Kapha-like; so too is winter with its icy, wet weather, and animals who hoard food and hibernate through the cold. Kapha doesn't like letting go; they're like human pack rats, who collect lots of "neat stuff" (Pitta types, however, would refer to it as junk). It's hard to make Kapha people angry, but once you do, watch out-their long fuses have finally been lit, and a big explosion is likely to follow. Pittas quickly get mad and blow up, Vatas may hide anger in fear. Kapha has many sounds, like the soothing sound of waves coming onto a beach (or the sound of your partner snoring away in the middle of the night!).
Influences on Weight and Stress Management
Let's examine the mind-body types and their combinations from a weight and stress management perspective. Remember, none of the categories is more important or better than the others in terms of managing body fat, stress, or personal growth. In fact, each category has its strengths for moderating appetite and managing stress; conversely, each mind-body category has potential disruptive qualities, too, which are usually set in motion from an accumulation of insupportable habits, unawareness, natural changes, or possibly a life disruption of some kind.
Since Vata-type people are, on an essential level, influenced by the qualities of ether and air, they carry these same characteristics with regards to appetite and stress. In a healthy, relaxe...
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
