From an Ayurvedic perspective, Doshas are the energy patterns that govern the body and control thoughts, behaviour and our pattern of health. There are three primary doshas known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha and we are born with all three but unique proportions of each. One or two dosha tends to dominate our constitution and define who we are. The state of our unique mind-body type must be in balance in order for us to feel balanced in mind, body and spirit. When any imbalance occurs, our life-force is dampened and in more severe cases, we develop imbalances or chronic illness. By performing the dosha test you will establish which dosha dominates you mind-body type, and which dosha requires pacifying in order for you to return to a state of wellbeing and vitality.
Please pick the sentences that most accurately describes your life-long health tendencies.
Vata celebs: Elizabeth Gilbert, Nicole Kidman, Tim Burton, Sylvia Plath, Mary Jane Oliver, Prince, Kate Bush, J.K Rowling, Halle Berry, Julie Andrews, FKA Twigs, Helen Mirren, Winona Ryder, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Watson, Bjork, Regina Spektor.
Vata characteristics:
Vata types are fun-loving, vivacious, joyful, free-spirits, possess a strong connection to their inner-child, are great conversationalists, charismatic, magnetic personalities, deeply sensitive, artistic, curious, full of ideas, love change, very particular about their environment and the company they keep, quick to grasp new ideas but also quick to forget, need plenty of time to recharge and rest, always creating several projects at once, struggles to complete most of them, gets distracted and moves onto new, shiner more interesting idea. Vata represents expansion, change and unlimited potential, and so when in balance, vatas have the ability to draw the most innovative and creative ideas down from the sky and manifest them into powerful and influential works. They are especially gifted when it comes to music, writing, painting, teaching, decorating, architecture, creating and running their own business and any professions that allow them to exercise their imagination and utilise their unique creative abilities freely without limit and without having to follow a particular system or set of rules. Because Vatas are deeply curious and often wish to experience life to its fullest capacity, they can run themselves down pretty easily and can forget to tend to their more immediate needs such as their health, getting adequate rest, and making time for things that will help build and sustain their energy in the long-run. Vatas are especially sensitive to the world around them and can easily take on the emotional burdens of others if they are not practising ‘spiritual hygiene’. This could look like forest bathing, immersing themselves in large bodies of water, taking up a breath-work or a meditation practice and visiting a holistic practitioner such as an acupuncturist or an energy healer to facilitate clearing emotional residue. Emptying ourselves out of the old and renewing ourselves each day with fresh lifeforce is what will help keep our primary dosha in balance and prevent the accumulation of bodily and emotional toxins. Vatas are more likely to remain in balance when they honour their need for rest and keep track of their nutritional needs and remember to exercise and meditate regularly.
The main challenges for Vata:
For Vatas, their greatest challenge is remaining grounded during times of turbulence, developing and maintaining self-esteem and completing what they started instead of throwing it to the side in search of something more promising. They have the tendency to tire easily and need to put special attention on managing their energy levels and finding practises that calm their nervous system down, as their dosha is the most susceptible to burn out and nervous exhaustion. Vata is the dosha of movement which results in change, and unpredictability, hence their need for regular grounding practises to bring them back to their body when they escape into the chaos of their mind. The Vata Dosha governs all processes within the nervous system which in turn, affect the digestive system. So vatas are very susceptible to digestive disturbances and nervous tension. They are easily overwhelmed and stimulated by their external surroundings and need more time and space to recharge than the other doshas. Alternative medicines, rejuvenation practises, time out in nature, meditating and practising yoga to get out of your busy mind and back into your body, and eating a vata-pacifying diet will help you to stay in balance. Vatas require routine, quiet places, deep soulful connections and work that challenges their expansive imagination in order to feel fulfilled and in balance. Vatas are often very preoccupied with their inner world and can appear mysterious and even aloof towards others whilst they remain silently immersed in the depths of their imagination and engaged with the many layers of feeling which often tend to plague their nervous system. Non-Vatas might find it difficult to understand where Vatas go during these moments when their faces become hyper concentrated and they begin to appear distant and detached from the physical world. But allowing this time to paddle and swim in one’s inner emotional landscape is essential for a Vata’s wellbeing. They need to withdraw from the world often to understand why they feel as they do, only returning once they’ve gained greater clarity and understanding of themselves and the environment around them. Vatas will succeed in the long run with whatever they put their minds to if they understand that achieving success and inner harmony is a long-game that evolves out of the daily habits we practise, nurture and build to support our wellbeing over a long period of time. Lots of patience, trust in one’s own abilities and trust in the timing of life will help you enjoy the journey towards building success in all areas of your life. They must learn to pace themselves and apply the term “slow and steady wins the race” to their bigger visions for life to avoid burnout, valuing and honouring the pace that they need to move at rather than comparing themselves to those with a more extroverted and faster moving design. The beauty of each dosha is that when we understand how to honour its needs and work in alignment with our design, we can extract all the gifts and strengths it has to offer whilst enjoying the pleasure that comes with being uniquely ourselves.
IN BALANCE: Energetic, curious, inspired, creative, vivacious, joyful, friendly, open-minded, warm, adventurous, spontaneous, courageous, free in spirit, sensitive, spontaneous, empathetic, kind, compassionate, determined, fun-loving, interesting personality, embraces change and learns easily, clear, searching and intelligent mind, intuitive, enthusiastic, sleeps long and lightly, balanced digestion, good circulation and an even body temperature.
OUT OF BALANCE:Tired or fatigued, ungrounded, nervous, anxious, easily stressed and overwhelmed, low self-esteem, self-doubt, perfectionism, forgetful or spaced-out, frazzled with a lack of focus, has difficulty falling asleep and has intense and excessive amount of dreams, suffers digestive issues, occasional constipation, poor circulation and nervous system disorders.
Pitta celebs: Steve Jobs, Gloria Steinem, Bruce Lee, Ruth Bader Ginseng, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Elvis Presley, Quentin Tarantino, Cameron Diaz, Kendrick Lamar, Jordan Peterson, Rich Roll, Joe dispenza, Mohammed Ali, Zoe Saldana, Dwayne Johnson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Molly Bloom.
Pitta characteristics:
Pitta types are typically highly revered and respected in society because of their ambition, outward drive, and their courage to pursue what they want. External validation and recognition can be especially important to them, but they need to prioritise stillness and time away from the noise and stimulation of the outside world in order to honour their own authentic needs and not get swept away by the pressures and expectations that others might place on themselves, and which they will most definitely place on themselves in order to live up to very demanding expectations. Pittas will find better clarity on how to walk a path that is more in alignment with their internal, deeper needs when they commit to practises that allow them to go inwards, or spend their explosive energy in a way that will harmonise the mind-body connection. Morning nature walks, short meditations, walking barefoot on the earth, strength training and yoga should be a daily part of a pitta’s routine. Pittas are excellent as leaders, executives, business owners, lawyers, entertainers and entrepreneurs. They thrive when they are in leadership roles and working in co-creation with other ambitious, driven pitta types with big visions and the desire to create innovative and promising new creations. Although we tend to see mostly examples of successful pitta types in society more than we do examples of the other dosha types, it can send out negative messaging that there is only one way to achieve one’s goals, and only one way of being, which can further exacerbate a Pitta types tendency to overwork and hold themselves to unrealistic standards. Pittas already have the tendency to get frustrated, impatient and aggressive when things don’t go as planned, and might end up burning bridges when under pressure and stress, so they will benefit immensely from practises that will help calm, ground and cool them down. When they are accessing the positive qualities of the fire element that dominated their constitution, they are focused, fully engaged with their work, excellent at meeting challenges in their professional and private life and equipped with the courage and discipline to bring their greatest visions to fruition.
The main challenges for Pitta:
For Pittas, their greatest challenge is to stay calm, patient and remain amenable during times of volatility and uncertainty. Because fire is the element that dominates their constitution, they have the tendency to overheat (both physically and emotionally) and are prone to imbalances that result in inflammation in the mind-body system. Pittas have the tendency to become irritable, impatient, aggressive, and overly-judgemental of themselves and others when out of balance. They need to exert a lot of energy during the day in order to reduce excess heat and fiery emotions, and feel satisfied. If they are mindful of how they use their energy, then they can excel and thrive in just about anything they set their minds to, but if they neglect their health assuming that their body will take care of itself, they are likely to suffer more serious afflictions. Pittas need to find practises that will help balance their constitution by keeping them calm and cool. Spending time in nature, near bodies of water, exercising mindfully to clear excess heat from the body, ditching the strong alcohol for a less pitta-aggravating beverage such as kombucha or fruit cider, and prioritising their relationships and their health as much as they do their work and goals will also aid them in creating a balance life.
IN BALANCE: High-achievers, strong intellect, intelligent, witty, sharp, focused, charismatic, warm, outspoken, determined, courageous, enterprising, articulate, ardent, loving, passionate, strong digestion, plenty of vitality, intense, driven personalities, ambitious, goal orientated, sleeps soundly, balanced work, family, professional and personal life.
OUT OF BALANCE: Perfectionist, can be controlling, abrasive, obsessive, angry, impatient, abrupt, cutting, irrational, judgemental, unforgiving, fiery-tempered, sarcastic, vengeful, irritable, workaholic, jealous, overly-opinionated, impossible expectations of self and others. They may experience interrupted sleep, inflammatory conditions, hormonal imbalances, acid reflux, headaches and loose bowel movements.
Kapha celebs: Maya Angelou, Oprah, Peter Jackson, Lizzo, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tom Hanks, Serena Williams, Ashely Graham, George RR Martin, Luciano Pavarotti, Aretha Franklin, Adele.
Kapha characteristics:
The Kapha dosha consists of the elements water and earth. In Ayurveda, Kaphas are regarded as the care-givers and nurturers. When in balance, their earthy constitution makes them generous, warm, reliable, nurturing, supportive, resilient, trustworthy, extremely patient, deeply affectionate, considerate, loyal, excellent listeners and emotionally stable. Kaphas have the greatest stamina of the three doshas which enables them to perform tremendous tasks that require a great deal of energy without burning out. As long as they take care of their health, they can maintain their vitality long into their older years. Kaphas typically prefer not to test their stamina, but when they consciously choose to exert themselves, they can master any skill of their choosing and build an extremely lucrative, successful and sustained career. On the other hand when kaphas go out of balance, they become lethargic, sluggish, withdrawn, moody, pessimistic and can struggle to shift negative habits. For kaphas, their greatest challenge is breaking out of their routine and maintaining enthusiasm for life, whilst also remembering to prioritise their own needs as well as the needs of others. Kaphas can become resentful, moody, and feel unappreciated and under-valued if they put excess amounts of energy in tending to the needs of others but neglecting their own self-care requirements and dreams. Relationships and friendships are very important to kapha types, and investing time in creating meaningful supportive bonds will aid them in all areas of their lives. Kaphas can be shy and inwardly dwelling and unlike vata or pitta types, they might be less enthusiastic to spark up a conversation with a stranger and more likely to observe conversations from a distance. Challenging oneself to be a little more outward at times and more assertive when it comes to your own needs will create better emotional balance in your day to day life. Kaphas typically avoid confrontation and challenges in their personal and romantic life which can deeply affect them although they may be reluctant to say so. Learning to balance work, family and love life is something that comes more easily to kapha types than the other doshas since they have the stamina, vitality, and calm nature to balance the demands of life. But prioritising their own health whilst also caring for others around them is of the utmost importance if they wish to accomplish their own visions for life. Eating a kapha-pacifying diet, spending time with loved ones that feed your energy rather than drain you of it, and making sure that uplifting, stimulating activities are incorporated into your week to provide you with the change that you need to prevent feeling stagnant or apathetic will help keep your dosha in balance.
The main challenges for Kapha:
For kaphas their greatest challenge is to avoid disappearing too deeply into themselves and forgetting to communicate their feelings or asking for help during times of turbulence or challenge. Sometimes they like to retreat for a while to figure out how to handle things on their own, or they can feel deeply hurt, forgotten or taken advantage of by those that take advantage of their kindness, generosity and sensitivity. Kaphas might not show it, but beneath the seemingly consistent, emotionally stable outward appearance lies a deeply sensitive, emotional and feeling individual who needs to feel appreciated and honoured for their qualities and their gifts, but might struggle to communicate their needs.
Learning to put time aside to nurture and pamper yourself (without overindulging) is important for your wellbeing. Learning to communicate your feelings and surround yourself with those who understand and honour your sensitive, kind and open nature is also vital for your mental and emotional health. A tale-tale sign of imbalance is when you begin to find yourself withdrawing from the world and attempting to manage your challenges alone rather than opening up about your inward struggles. It is important for kaphas to remember that even those of us that are gifted with the strength and resilience to handle their pain still require support and nurturing, and there is no shame in asking for help when it is needed. Kaphas are accustomed to being the support system for their loved ones and might feel guilty or reluctant to ask for support, but it is a perfectly natural part of our human experience to find ourselves requiring external support and kaphas need to learn that they don’t need to overcome everything on their own. Kaphas have the tendency to turn towards emotional eating to receive the comfort they lack in their personal life, so overall, putting special emphasis on cultivating relationships in which you feel seen, heard and supported in the way that you support and care for others is vital for maintaining emotional stability.
IN BALANCE:Stability, firmness, robust physiology, good long-term memory, good strength and stamina, affectionate, kind, patient, great listeners, very supportive friends, friendly, consistent, reliable, good sense of humour, sensible, generous, compassionate, down to earth, resilient, tolerant, loving, forgiving, not easily shaken during crisis and highly reliable.
OUT OF BALANCE:Moody, sad, unmotivated, boredom, oversleeping, overweight, sinus and respiratory problems, suffers constipation, sluggishness and poor circulation, seeking emotional comfort through eating, withdrawn, indifferent, depressed, stubborn, dull, greedy, lethargic, lazy, unexpressive, unmotivated, closed minded and apathetic.
Vata-Pitta celebs: Elizabeth Gilbert, Nicole Kidman, Tim Burton, Sylvia Plath, Mary Jane Oliver, Prince, Kate Bush, J.K Rowling, Halle Berry, Julie Andrews, Steve Jobs, Gloria Steinem, Angelina Jolie, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Elvis Presley, Steven Spielberg, Will Smith, Robert patterson, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson.
Vata-Pitta characteristics:
Fun-loving, vivacious, joyful, free-spirited, great conversationalist, magnetic personality, highly creative, introspective, sensitive, innovative, curious, full of ideas, loves change, ambitious, focused, driven, goal-oriented, perfectionists, great leaders, intense, charismatic personalities, often rebels and rule breakers, enjoys challenge, can struggle to complete tasks, gets distracted and moves onto new, shiner more interesting idea. Can get impatient, frustrated, tend to be extremely hard on themselves, and lack confidence in their abilities if suffering imbalances. If the pitta dosha is more dominant during certain periods of your life then you might find that your ability to manage challenges and cultivate the courage to try new ventures or take risks in career or your personal life increases. Both Vata and pitta can make an individual passionate, innovative, a rebel, spontaneous, volatile, excitable, overly-ambitious, and at times excessively obsessed with achieving success. Since both doshas dominate your constitution, it’s important that you find the time to nurture, rest, and replenish spent energy. Vatas love to utilise their creativity and imagination without limit, and pittas love to exert themselves and achieve what is considered to be the impossible. If the Vata and Pitta doshas are dominant in your constitution, this can make an individual very hard on themselves when they are unable to meet their daily expectations. Like Pitta types, Vata-pittas have immense hunger for the pleasures that life has to offer. They might be especially concerned with accumulating financial wealth, material possessions or enjoy travel, adventure, risk taking and jumping into brand new exciting ventures. They move fast, think fast, and sometimes act from a place of impassioned impatience rather than fully considering the consequences of their behaviour. Like Pitta types, receiving external validation and recognition can be especially important to Vata-Pittas and accomplishing their desires might be prioritised over their health, relationships and deeper more soulful needs. For this reason it is important to prioritise stillness and time away from the noise and stimulation of the outside world in order to honour their own authentic needs and not get swept away by the pressures and expectations that others might place on themselves, and which they will most definitely place on themselves in order to live up to very demanding expectations. Vata-Pittas will find better clarity on how to walk a path that is more in alignment with their internal, deeper needs when they commit to practises that allow them to go inwards, and spend their erratic and volatile energy in a way that will harmonise the mind-body connection. Morning nature walks, short meditations, walking barefoot on the earth, strength training and yoga should be a daily part of a Vata-Pitta’s routine.
The main challenges for Vata-Pitta:
For Vata-Pittas their greatest challenge is remaining grounded during times of turbulence, ensuring they get plenty of rest and replenishment, learning to collaborate with others, managing fiery emotions, and following ideas through to the end. If a Vata-Pitta becomes imbalanced, they have the tendency to tire easily and need to put special attention on managing their energy levels and finding practises that calm their nervous system down, as their dosha is most susceptible to burn out, nervous exhaustion and running on empty. Like Vatas, Vata-Pittas are easily overwhelmed and stimulated by their external surroundings and need more time and space to recharge than the other doshas. They have greater stamina than pure vata types, but still require rest and nurturing to recharge their nervous system. Alternative medicines, rejuvenation practises, time out in nature, meditating and practising yoga to get out of your busy mind and back into your body, and eating a diet that helps warm or cool your constitution (depending on what imbalance you are experiencing at the time) will help you to stay in balance. Vata-Pittas function best when they stick to a routine, spend time in quiet places, focus on creating deep soulful connections and engage in work that challenges their expansive imagination and honours the call of their soul. Keeping an open mind and forming partnerships that are mentally and spiritually fulfilling is vital for Vata-Pittas. Learning to communicate with tact, diplomacy, patience and the willingness to see other’s perspectives will aid them greatly when it comes to their professional life. Both Vata and Vata-Pitta types will succeed in the long run with whatever they put their minds to if they understand that achieving success and inner harmony is a long-game that evolves out of the daily habits we practise, nurture and build to support our wellbeing over a long period of time. Lots of patience, trust in one’s own abilities and trust in the timing of life will help you enjoy the journey towards building success in all areas of your life.
IN BALANCE: Energetic, vivacious, joyful, friendly, open-minded, free in spirit, creative, inspired, driven, ambitious, focused, passionate, sensitive, empathetic, curious, determined, embraces change and learns easily, sharp intellect, clear and alert mind, stable energy levels, sleeps long and lightly, courageous, high self-esteem, enthusiastic, communicative, purposeful, disciplined, balanced digestion, good circulation and an even body temperature.
OUT OF BALANCE: Tired or fatigued, nervous, anxious, ungrounded, forgetful or spaced-out, agitated, struggles to recharge and find inner peace, frazzled with a lack of focus, has difficulty falling asleep, suffers digestive imbalances, poor circulation, experiences excess heat in the body, fiery emotions such as anger, irritability, impatience, frustration and pushes oneself too hard without making time for rest. Perfectionist, overly judgemental, jealous or overly competitive. Suffers inflammatory conditions of the skin and colon, might experience migraines, headaches, loose stools, acid-reflux, indigestion, disrupted sleep, and night-sweats.
Vata-Kapha celebs: Kate Winslet, Beyonce, Christina hendricks, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah-Carey, Tom hanks, Patrick Rothfuss, Peter Jackson, Dame Judi Dench, Lena Dunham.
Vata-Kapha characteristics: -Rarest combination because the vata and kapha dosha are completely opposite in nature.
Fun-loving, joyful, free-spirited, strong connection to their inner-child, great conversationalist, charismatic, magnetic personality, kind, gentle, typically introverted and thoughtful, creative, sensitive, more mellow and calm than a pure Vata type, generous, warm, loves to make conversation with strangers, likes to take their time with whatever they’re working on or when developing a friendship or relationship, but can have the excitability and volatility of Vata. Vata-kaphas carry the positive qualities of both doshas when it comes to their constitution and character. They have the creativity, curiosity, openness, playfulness, sensitivity and spirited qualities of a Vata type and the warmth, generosity, emotional stability and physical stamina of a Kapha type. Vata-kaphas typically have greater stamina and vitality than a pure Vata type, and are more idealistic and dreamy then a pure Kapha type. The opposite qualities that both doshas contain can make them a little unpredictable : One moment they can appear open, out-going, bubbly and happy to engage with anyone that crosses their path, and then suddenly you might find them retreating inwards, becoming quiet, introverted, reflective and occupied with their inner world. Vata-Kaphas value silence, stillness and tend to move through the world at a leisurely pace. Where Vata and Pitta types are constantly in a hurry to get where they’re going, Kaphas and Vata-Kaphas value taking time out to rest, and to enjoy the many pleasures that life has to offer. Like Vatas, Vata-Kaphas are often very preoccupied with their inner world and can appear mysterious and even aloof towards others whilst they remain silently immersed in the depths of their imagination and engaged with the many layers of feeling which often tend to plague their nervous system. Non-Vatas might find it difficult to understand where Vata-Kaphas go during these moments when their faces become hyper concentrated and they begin to appear distant and detached from the physical world. But allowing this time to paddle and swim in one’s inner emotional landscape is essential for their wellbeing. They need to withdraw from the world often to understand why they feel as they do, only returning once they have gained greater clarity and understanding of themselves and the environment around them.
The main challenges for Vata-Kapha:
For Vata-Kapha their greatest challenge is to avoid disappearing too deeply into themselves and forgetting to communicate their feelings or asking for help during times of turbulence or challenge. Sometimes they like to retreat for a while to figure out how to handle things on their own, or they can feel deeply hurt, forgotten or taken advantage of by those that take advantage of their kindness, generosity and sensitivity. Like Kaphas, Vata-Kaphas can become resentful, moody, and feel unappreciated and under-valued if they put excess amounts of energy into tending to the needs of others but neglecting their own self-care requirements and dreams. Learning to put time aside to nurture and pamper yourself (without overindulging) is important for your wellbeing. Learning to communicate your feelings and surround yourself with those who understand and honour your sensitive, kind and open nature is also vital for your mental and emotional health. A tale-tale sign of imbalance is when you begin to find yourself withdrawing from the world and attempting to manage your challenges alone rather than opening up about your inward struggles. It is important for Kaphas to remember that even those of us that are gifted with the strength and resilience to handle our pain still require support and nurturing, and there is no shame in asking for help when it is needed. Kaphas are accustomed to being the support system for their loved ones and might feel guilty or reluctant to ask for support, but it is a perfectly natural part of our human experience to find ourselves requiring external support, and as a Vata-Kapha individual, you should never hesitate to ask for that help when it is needed. Kaphas and Vata-Kaphas have the tendency to turn towards emotional eating to receive the comfort they lack in their personal life, so overall, putting special emphasis on cultivating relationships in which you feel seen, heard and supported in the same way that you support and care for others is vital for maintaining emotional stability.
IN BALANCE: Energetic, vivacious, joyful, friendly, open-minded, free in spirit, inspired, curious, creative, embraces change and, learns easily, Clear and alert mind, generous, kind, patient, giving, affectionate, empathetic, compassionate, loving, warm, friendly, down to earth, tolerant, forgiving, sleeps long and lightly, have balanced digestion, good circulation and an even body temperature. Stability, firmness, robust physiology, good long-term memory, good strength and stamina, not easily shaken during crisis and highly reliable.
OUT OF BALANCE:Tired or fatigued, nervous, depressed, forgetful or spaced-out, anxious and frazzled with a lack of focus, have difficulty falling asleep, suffers occasional constipation and poor circulation, sinus and respiratory problems, gaining weight easily, prone to digestive issues such as constipation and sluggish digestion, seeking emotional comfort from eating, withdrawn, indifferent, depressed, moody, stubborn, dull, greedy, lethargic, uninspired, unmotivated.
Pitta-Khapha celebs: Maya Angelou, Oprah, Peter Jackson, Lizzo, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tom hanks, Serena Williams, Ashely Graham, George RR Martin, Luciano Pavarotti, Aretha Franklin, Tarana Burk,
Pitta-Khapha characteristics:
Pitta-Kaphas types are resilient, smart, ambitious, sharp, purpose driven, passionate, shrewd, business orientated, excellent leaders, great entrepreneurs, clear communicators, pragmatic, analytical logical thinkers like pure Pitta types, but can be highly innovative, as well as loyal, reliable, generous, deeply affectionate, have plenty of stamina to take on tremendous challenges and see them through until the end. They tend to be very good with keeping a routine, sticking to schedule, getting everything done on their to-do list, and still finding the time to show up to their loved one's needs. They might struggle with breaking out of their routine and might need to push themselves out of their comfort zone and seek out change and adventure to prevent themselves becoming apathetic and stagnating from too much familiarity and discipline. Depending on which dosha dominates your constitution during specific periods in your life, you might find yourself experiencing more Pitta type traits at times, and more Kapha type tendencies during others. When Pitta is driving our mind-body vehicle, achievement, material gain, making an impact in our community or the public domain tend to become our main focus. Pitta-kaphas have the zest, passion, vitality and drive of a pure Pitta type, but they have greater stamina and less of a tendency to burn out due to the earthy element that dominates their constitution. Like Kapha, Pitta-Kapha types love connecting with others and creating meaningful bonds, and they especially enjoy nurturing, giving and supporting. However, they can become resentful, moody, and feel unappreciated and under-valued if they put excess amounts of energy into tending to the needs of others but neglect their own self-care requirements and dreams. Learning to balance work, family and love life is something that comes more easily to Pitta-Kapha types than pure Pitta types since they have the stamina, vitality, and calm nature to balance the demands of life, but it is important that they learn to focus on their own needs and find time to recharge during periods of stress and challenge. Prioritising their own health whilst also caring for others around them is of the utmost importance if they wish to accomplish their own visions for life.
The main challenges for Pitta-Khapha:
For Pitta-Kaphas their greatest challenge is to avoid swinging between extremes : Both Pittas and Pitta-Kaphas can push themselves to the point of burn out and might fall into an unmotivated slump becoming sluggish, lazy or overly-indulgent during times of imbalance. Or they might be reluctant to break away from habits and patterns of behaviour that do not serve them. Staying open to change, seeking external input from trusted advisors, and being willing to challenge their idea of the 'right way' to do things will serve their growth and expansion immensely. Like pure Pitta types, If they are mindful of how they use their energy, then they can excel and thrive in just about anything they set their minds to, but if they neglect their health assuming that their body will take care of itself, they are likely to suffer more serious afflictions. Pitta-Kaphas need to find practises that will help balance their constitution by keeping them calm and cool. Spending time in nature, near bodies of water, exercising mindfully to clear excess heat from the body, ditching the strong alcohol for a less Pitta-aggravating beverage such as kombucha or fruit cider, and prioritising their relationships and their health as much as they do their work and goals will also aid them in creating a balance life.
IN BALANCE:Determined, strong intellect, intelligent, warm, outspoken, courageous, enterprising, articulate, ardent, loving, passionate, strong digestion, plenty of vitality, driven personalities, ambitious, good sense of humour, tolerant, resilient, kind, forgiving, generous, goal orientated, sleeps soundly, balanced work, family, professional, personal life, robust physiology, good long-term memory, good strength and stamina, not easily shaken during crisis and highly reliable.
OUT OF BALANCE:Can be controlling, abrasive, obsessive, angry, impatient, abrupt, cutting, irrational, judgemental, fiery-tempered, sarcastic, vengeful, irritable, workaholic, overly-opinionated, impossible expectations of self and others. They may experience interrupted sleep, inflammatory conditions, hormonal imbalances, acid reflux, headaches and loose bowel movements, moodiness, boredom, oversleeping, constipation, weight gain, sinus and respiratory problems, become withdrawn, overly stubborn,, lethargic, lazy, unmotivated and unexpressive.