What is your Ayurvedic body type?

In Ayurvedic medicine, maintaining balance is crucial. Doshas, which are health types, play a key role in achieving this balance. There are three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and harmony is attained by ensuring they are balanced. Unlike the body types like ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph, doshas delve deeper into specific body sections. Doshas also encompass personality traits, but for now, we're concentrating on the physical aspects rather than the psychological ones.

Many online quizzes claim to determine your dosha, but they often lack accuracy by not considering each part of the body separately. Additionally, they may include questions about personality, leading to biased answers based on how you want to be perceived rather than your true nature.

For instance, if you desire a Vata-Pitta dosha, you might unconsciously answer questions to align with those characteristics. This poses a risk, as it may lead to habits that don't match your real dosha, affecting your exercise, sleep, and eating patterns.

Being honest with yourself about your dosha can be enlightening. It allows you to customise your nutrition and lifestyle to truly harmonise with your authentic self.

What is Ayurveda Dosha?

Ayurveda, among the oldest holistic medicine forms globally, remains popular due to its effectiveness and comprehensive health approach. It integrates physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects, addressing the entire body.

The term "Ayurveda" translates to 'science of life' or 'knowledge of life.' Its core idea involves three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha. Tailoring your lifestyle based on dosha-specific practices is believed to promote overall well-being and balance.

Each person has a unique combination of the three doshas, with one or two typically dominating. This blend forms your personal health blueprint. However, this blueprint isn't fixed, as various factors like diet, lifestyle, environment, and age can influence and change your dosha balance. When doshas are imbalanced, it can impact both physical and mental health.

The three Ayurveda body types are:

Vata-

Vata is linked to the wind, reflecting its energetic qualities like flexibility and creativity. Those with a predominant Vata body type are typically thin with a fast metabolism.

Physically, Vatas often have dry, curly or wavy hair and untidy eyebrows. Their face is thin with a small chin, a long neck, and narrow shoulders. The forehead is normal-sized, eyes are reasonably narrow, and the nose is longer with smaller nostrils. Lips are of moderate size. Thin wrists with visible ulna bones, long and slender hands and fingers, and small or thin feet are common indicators of a Vata body type. The overall physique is petite or thin, and Vatas may easily feel cold and experience dry skin.

An imbalance in Vata can lead to issues such as chronic stress, anxiety, digestive problems, and skin inflammation like eczema.

How should vatas adapt their lifestyle and workouts?

For active Vatas, it's important to harness your mental and physical energy, being mindful of avoiding adrenal burnout and excessive weight loss. Steer clear of sugars and stimulants like coffee, maintain a regular daily routine, and manage stress through meditation. Staying warm is crucial; you can explore with infrared sauna, but be cautious not to lose too much weight.

Avoid early morning workouts as cortisol levels are naturally high at that time, especially for Vatas who are prone to elevated cortisol. Opt for midday workouts between 10 am and 3 pm. Incorporate strength training twice a week to maintain and build muscles, which can be challenging for Vatas.

Additionally, consider incorporating stretching and yoga to calm the nervous system, enhance flexibility, and focus on breathwork for overall well-being.

Pitta:

Pitta is associated with fire and water, making you tenacious and self-determined. Typically, you enjoy benefits like a quick metabolism, good circulation, and healthy skin and hair.

If you often feel hungry or get "hangry," it's common for Pittas. You may also experience impatience and a tendency for conflict. Physically, Pittas often have an athletic frame with medium build and well-defined muscles. Characteristics include straight, light-colored or blonde hair, thin eyebrows, a high forehead, almond-shaped eyes, a small and upturned nose, and thin lips. The medium and muscular neck sits on broad chest and shoulders.

Pittas usually have medium-sized and muscular wrists, larger hands compared to Vatas and Kaphas, and medium and muscular feet. Well-defined calf muscles, muscular glutes, and a moderate-sized waist and hips are key indicators of a Pitta physique.

How should Pittas adapt their lifestyle and workouts?

For Pittas, finding a healthy balance is crucial because you're prone to overworking both your mind and body. Prioritise stretching before exercising to help calm cortisol and dopamine levels.

Be mindful of your diet and avoid prolonged exercise sessions, as Pittas are more susceptible to inflammation and adrenal fatigue due to their overworking nature. While you can handle intermediate or advanced strength workouts, be cautious not to overheat, considering the fiery nature of Pitta.

Early morning is the best time for exercise, but avoid direct sunlight or extreme heat. Practicing mindfulness post-workout is essential for grounding energy and relieving tension. While you likely enjoy sports and physical activity, be careful not to overdo it to maintain a healthy balance.

Kapha:

If you are Kapha dominant, you embody steadiness and stability, rooted in the elements of earth and water. Strong and calm, you may naturally possess athleticism but could have a slow metabolism, making you prone to weight gain. Your body shape is generally thicker, with a larger frame and joints.

Characteristic features of a Kapha body type include thick and wavy hair, thick eyebrows, and a low forehead, possibly with a widow's peak. Your eyes are more circular and wider, accompanied by a thicker nose and wider nostrils. You have full, luscious lips, a thicker chin, and possibly a chin dimple. The face shape is softer, resting on a short and thin neck with round, barrel-like shoulders and chest.

Your joints on hands and feet are moderate-sized and softer, often with shorter toes and wide feet. The thicker physique extends to a larger waist and hips, and revealing toned abs may be more challenging for Kaphas.

How should Kaphas adapt their lifestyle and workouts?

For Kapha body types, it's crucial to engage in regular exercise and maintain good sleep habits (but not too much sleep) to prevent health issues like obesity, asthma, mucus build-up, and oversleeping.

Unlike the other body types, Kaphas should aim for daily exercise or at least 5-6 days a week since they naturally burn fewer calories due to a lower basal metabolic rate. Weight gain can be more common for Kaphas, leading to low mood and sluggishness. Despite this, Kaphas have stored-up energy and can handle strenuous exercise—they just need to find motivation.

Incorporating at least two strength workouts per week is essential for Kaphas to boost metabolism. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is recommended to burn excess energy and release endorphins for motivation and serotonin.

The best time for workouts is in the morning (6-10 am) to maximise endorphin boosts and stimulate the lymphatic and digestive systems.

Bottom line -

Knowing your body type is crucial for creating a personalised lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise plan based on your dosha. However, it's essential to accurately identify your TRUE dosha to avoid potential harm. Aligning with your true dosha maximises the benefits of living in harmony with your health type.

Ayurveda medicine is vast, so if it feels overwhelming initially, don't be discouraged. It took me years to grasp the practices, and I still discover new Ayurvedic wisdom daily. Start with the basics, focus on correctly identifying your dosha, and the rest will follow.