Ayurveda and Your Dosha

By Ved Kovid, Durgadas

(c) Ved Kovid, Durgadas. All rights reserved.
 

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I see many people today taking Ayurvedic constitutional quizzes in books, simple ones in Yoga studios and even some by Swamis and Gurus and feel that these give an "accurate" model of their so-called "dosha type". 

Yet such don't reflect deeper life-long traits and patterns and we often have biases ourselves. Mental traits, abuse, predominating climates, age, sex, digestive strength due to diet etc. and also disease can alter our normal state. There are several factors to consider for even the Prakriti or one's in-born biological constitution or nature alone, which can easily be changed or altered, such as by life-long diseases, dietary and other factors.

Doshas themselves are but simplified expressions of the elements (panchamahabhutas) and the 20 gunas (qualities) within us. Each element or Mahabhuta itself is further divided into portions and qualities of its own. Each of us has a unique set of these also threefold: Constitutionally, Mentally and Disease-wise, of which the dosha-model is but a simplified version of alone. Then there are sub-types within these doshas as heavier Vata and Pitta types and slim Kapha types. In Jyotisha, there are numerous more types also, for example, a Budha-Prakriti or Mercury-type is a "strong-Vata" type, athletic, with secondary Kapha qualities, but primarily Vata and may hold weight at times, due to their secondary Kapha-nature and also sometimes high-Vata anxiety-eating, or even poor kidney function and metabolism.

Differences exist between norms in racial types and features also including complexion, weight, height and facial features that have to be taken into consideration and differentiated also.

Then there are other factors. Planetary periods (mahadashas) and transits (gocharas) coinciding with stages of life, which differ for each individual can alter us also, based on their planetary periods, signs and planets in signs and strengths in the charts. Modern Yoga and Ayurveda outside the inner Tantric traditions often ignores these, except in more traditional systems as in southern India.

There are many subtitles in Yoga which considers Ayurveda. "Ayurvedic Yoga" is not simply just for one's biological type alone, but must be tailored as per diseases, the mind and other factors. As an example, the mantra "OM" that is commonly chanted in Yoga classes by one and all, and even recommended by many Gurus, is a Vata-increasing mantra. Thus, if one has Vata in their constitution, as either a dual-constitution (Vata-Pitta, Vata-Kapha, Pitta-Vata or Kapha-Vata), or even as a secondary dosha (say 25% only), or one is of any constitution but lives in an area mainly exposed to cold, dry winds or dry weather (as desert areas, although hot), suffers from anxiety or has a Vata-type mind, or is in old age etc., then the chanting of "OM" will cause Vata to be increased and can then "push" other doshas out. Say you're a Pitta person living in a cold environment and suffering from stress and have secondary Vata. Chanting OM will cause Vata to push Pitta and create bouts of anger, aggression etc. and also anxiety as a root-cause for this and eventually even anxiety-depression, as a result of excess Pitta trying to control situations along with the overly-analystical side of Vata. It can then cause internal health issues as a result of this mental impact on the digestive system.
 Thus, some systems as Bikram Yoga can long-term upset Pitta types as is obvious and also Vata types with too much heat creating dryness.

As most people are dual-constitutions, they can thus aggravate even the lower dosha in them. Vata is always involved also as it always moves the doshas and our Vatic diets and lifestyles can through any type out by being aggravated!

This is why a full assessment is required of all bodily tissues, srotas, mind on various levels etc. as well as disease, digestion and so on which advanced practitioners can read from face, pulse etc.

Ayurveda employs a Tenfold examination of the patient of which Prakriti or Biological Constitution is but one and has its own science. Then there are Eight other aspects to be examined relative to (a) Constitution and (b) disease to arrive at a valid conclusion and what is best for the patient.

Ayurveda is hence not simply an easy and simple medicine system and we cannot define ourselves by simple quizzes alone or "home Ayurveda experts" as many reading books etc. try and become. Other factors outweigh these sometimes.

Ayurveda is a complete medical system with over 1100 illnesses and 300 surgical procedures known and complex treatments beyond herbal and simple dietary rules which are commonly defined as Ayurveda today in the West.

Likewise Yoga has to be tailored as per ones astrology, disease conditions and other factors as do mantras and sadhanas which is why regular consultations are necessary with practitioners in working with these factors and also changes in seasons and climates also.

Thus we should be careful about our bodies and diseases and beware of trying to treat things as per Ayurveda unless we are specifically trained, experienced and have done much study first. Even systems as Naturopathy differ from Ayurvedas model, as does TCM and such differences should be noted concerning Ayurveda practice and not simply stereotyping this ancient system that gave us surgery and most of all, cataract, plastic surgery, genetics etc.!

It is not simply a simplified system of dosha-typing and stereotyping and quizzes that determine our natures and even what is good for us, but several factors Ayurveda examines physically, mentally, disease-wise and subtly and then considers the types of Yoga, down to mantras, pranayamas and Asanas etc. and how they are to be performed for the individual and even the specific times and days, as also seasons and such, which one has to work with. This is the deeper nature of Ayurveda and the doshas.

Thus, one should see a specialised Ayurvedic Practitioner also well-versed in Tantra, Integral Tantric / Hindu Yoga traditions and rituals, Traditional Clinical  Ayurveda and deeper Herbology as well as Medical Astrology also and having worked with these deeper energies and shaktis, as well as deeper diagnosis with the pulse etc. to understand your Constitution, Mind, Disease and how to bring all of these together and work with them in a deeper and Integral manner.

Namah Shivaaya!

--Ved Kovid, Durgadas