Holistic Health
A person is healthy when they have no illness. We experience psychological and physical wellness when the body, mind and soul are in balance.

The Ayurveda terms are: vata, pitta, or kapha influences. Your basic constitution represents your psychological and physical nature. When balance is maintained, health is at optimum.

When they are somewhat unbalanced, we may feel uneasy. When they are more obviously unbalanced - when one or more of the three dosha influences are excessive or deficient-discernible symptoms of sickness can be observed and experienced.

Every person (and thing) contains all three doshas. However, the proportion varies according to the individual and usually one or two doshas predominate. Within each person the doshas are continually interacting with one another and with the doshas in all of nature. This explains why people can have much in common but also have an endless variety of individual differences in the way they behave and respond to their environment. Ayurveda recognizes that different foods, tastes, colors, and sounds affect the doshas in different ways. For example very hot and pungent spices aggravate pitta; but cold, light foods such as salads calm it down. This ability to affect the doshas is the underlying basis for Ayurvedic practices and therapies.1.

Basis For Ayurvedic Philosophy

Concept of Tri-Dosha

In Ayurvedic philosophy, the five elements combine in pairs to form three dynamic forces or interactions called doshas. Dosha means "that which changes." It is a word derived from the root dus, which is equivalent to the English prefix 'dys', such as in dysfunction, dystrophy, etc. In this sense, dosha can be regarded as a fault, mistake, error, or a transgression against the cosmic rhythm. The doshas are constantly moving in dynamic balance, one with the others. Doshas are required for the life to happen. In Ayurveda, dosha is also known as the governing principles as every living thing in nature is characterized by the dosha.2.

Vata is a force conceptually made up of elements ether and air. The proportions of ether and air determine how active Vata is. The amount of ether (space) affects the ability of the air to gain momentum. If unrestricted, as in ocean, air can gain momentum and become forceful such as a hurricane.

Vata means "wind, to move, flow, direct the processes of, or command." Vata enables the other two doshas to be expressive. The actions of Vata are drying, cooling, light, agitating, and moving.

Vata governs breathing, blinking of the eyelids, movements in the muscles and tissues, pulsations in the heart, all expansion and contraction, the movements of cytoplasm and the cell membranes, and the movement of the single impulses in nerve cells. Vata also governs such feelings and emotions as freshness, nervousness, fear, anxiety, pain, tremors, and spasms. The primary seat or location of the Vata in the body is the colon. It also resides in the hips, thighs, ears, bones, large intestine, pelvic cavity, and skin. It is related to the touch sensation. If the body develops an excess of vata, it will accumulate in these areas.

Pitta is a force created by the dynamic interplay of water and fire. These forces represent transformation. They cannot change into each other, but they modulate or control each other and are vitally required for the life processes to occur. (For example, too much fire and too little water will result in the boiling away of the water. Too much water will result in the fire being put out.)

Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence, and understanding. Psychologically, pitta arouses anger, hate, and jealousy. The small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes, and skin are the seats of Pitta.

Kapha is the conceptual equilibrium of water and earth. Kapha is structure and lubrication. One can visualize the Kapha force as the stirring force to keep the water and earth from separating. For example, if we take a pot, fill it to the half with water and then add sand to it, the sand will gradually sink to the bottom of the pot. (It separates from the water). The only way to keep the sand in equilibrium with the water is by stirring the mixture continuously. The Kapha force can be visualized as this stirring force in our body.

Kapha cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure. This dosha maintains body resistance. Water is the main constituent of kapha, and this bodily water is responsible physiologically for biological strength and natural tissue resistance in the body. Kapha lubricates the joints; provides moisture to the skin; helps to heal wounds; fills the spaces in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability; supports memory retention; gives energy to the heart and lungs, and maintains immunity. Kapha is present in the chest, throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach, joints, cytoplasm, plasma, and in the liquid secretions of the body such as mucus. Psychologically, kapha is responsible for the emotions of attachment, greed, and long-standing envy. It is also expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness, and love. The chest is the seat of kapha

Effect of Constitution Type On Body or Microcosm


Vata Pitta Kapha
Function of the Dosha (or controls) Movement
Breathing
Natural Urges
Transformation of the tissues
Motor functions
Sensory functions
Ungroundedness
Secretions
Excretions
Fear
Emptiness
Anxiety
Thoughts
Life force
Nerve impulses
Body heat
Temperature
Digestion
Perception
Understanding
Hunger
Thirst
Intelligence
Anger
Hate
Jealousy
Stability
Energy
Lubrication
Forgiveness
Greed
Attachment
Accumulation
Holding
Possessiveness

Manifests in living things as The movement of:: nerve impulses
air
blood
food
waste
thought
The quality of transformation. Pitta controls the enzymes that digest our food and the hormones that regulate our metabolism. Pitta transforms the chemical/electrical impulses in our mind to thoughts we can understand. Cells which make up our organs and fluids which nourish and protect them.
Characteristics cold
light
irregular
mobile
rarefied
dry
rough
hot
light
fluid
subtle
sharp
malodorous
soft
clear
oily
cold
heavy
stable
dense
smooth

Too much of the dosha force can result in nerve irritation
high blood pressure
gas
confusion
ulcers
hormonal imbalance
irritated skin (acne)
consuming emotions (anger)
Mucous build-up in the sinus and nasal passages, the lungs and colon.
In the mind it creates rigidity, a fixation of thought, inflexibility.

Too little dosha force can result in nerve loss
congestion
constipation
thoughtlessness
indigestion
inability to understand
sluggish metabolism
Experiences a dry respiratory tract
burning stomach (due to lack of mucous, which protects from excess stomach acids)
inability to concentrate

Where found in a plant flowers and leaves (the parts which reach farthest into air and space) Plant's essential oils, resins and sap Roots (The roots are where water is stored. Roots also stay within the earth.)
Climatic influences Dry climates or cold autumn winds increases Vata Hot summers or hot climates will increase Pitta Wet winters and damp climate add to Kapha.
Predominant during the life stage of Old age
As we get older, we "shrink and dry out". Teen and Adult.
During this stage, our hormone changes transforms us into adults Childhood years.
During this period, we grow or increase in substance of the body.3. See the table to properly understand the relationships of the body types and influences on them.

The holistic health model uses the physical, mental and spiritual influences that affect the body, mind and soul.

To be physically fit you need to eat the right food and follow proper nutritional and health practices like: food balancing, daily exercise, proper rest and relaxation.

To be mentally fit you need to nurish the mind with knowledge, understanding and wisdom through education and proper experience. You can learn how to learn and be influenced by the best authorities on every aspect of the mind.

To be spititually fit you need to have a personal relationship with God and participate with God to improve yourself and make the world a better place for everyone to enjoy.