VATA

• Is generally thin and doesn’t gain weight easily.
• Is quick and active.
• Has dry skin more so in winter.
• Cold Hands and feet.
• The energy fluctuates and comes in bursts.
• Tends to have gas or constipation
• Has usually difficulty falling asleep or having a sound night’s sleep.
• Is uncomfortable in cold weather.
• Is lively and enthusiastic.
• Has difficulty memorizing things and remembering them later.
• Not good at making decisions.
• Is anxious or worrisome by nature.
• Is talkative and talks quickly.
• Is usually emotional and moods fluctuate easy.
• The mind is restless, but very imaginative.
• Has irregular eating and sleeping habits.
   

The Vata principle

includes the complete nervous system, some aspects of the endocrine glandular system which coordinate the metabolism and most of the sense organs. Vata structures and functions are responsible for all the communications within the human being as well as the communication with the outer universe. Vata also deals with transports and movements with in a person’s body and mind. Vata entities are responsible for the pumping action of the heart, the breathing process in the lungs, the peristaltic movement of the intestines, and all the movements of the bones and muscles.

Vata dosha is also responsible for mental functions like intuition, imagination, resilience, sensitivity spontaneity, indecisiveness and emotions like exhilaration, fear, insecurity and doubt. In lay terms Vata represent the biological principles of air and space. Vata structures and functions usually have qualities like dry, cold, light, quick, rough, unstable and subtle.

Tips for balancing Vata

• Emphasize a diet which is Vata-pacifying
• Drink warming herb teas and warm fluids
• Avoid alcohol and coffee
• Rest adequately
• Use sesame oil for a whole body massage in the morning
• Take a warm bath or shower
• Avoid over stimulation
• Keep warm
• Do calming exercise like walking, Tai Chi and Yoga
   

PITTA

• Doesn’t tolerate hot weather well
• Sweat easily
• Can’t tolerate delaying or skipping a meal
• Has fine, straight, light, blond, red graying early hair or balding
• Has good appetite and likes big meals
• Has regular bowel movements rather on the loose side.
• Likes cold drinks and foods
• Feels hot easily
• Can’t tolerate spicy, hot foods easy
• Is efficient, organized and accurate
• Has strong will and tends to be stubborn
• Is impatient by nature
• Tends to become irritable or angry quite easily
• Tries to be meticulous and to be a perfectionist
• Is critical of self and others

The Pitta principle

includes all the digestive enzymes secreted within our gastrointestinal system, the cellular enzymes and the stimulating hormones. Pitta structures and functions are responsible for all the digestion, absorption, assimilation, heat regulation, sweating and metabolism going on in the body and the mind. It also governs skin complexion, visual perception and the process of understanding. The primary location is the Small Intestine.

Pitta dosha is responsible for mental functions like intelligence, confidence, enterprise, organization and emotions like joy, excitement, courage, anger jealousy and hatred. Pitta may be described as the biological principle of fire and water. The structures and functions of Pitta have qualities like hot, moist, light, fluid, sour smelling, sharp and penetrating.

Tips for balancing Pitta

• Emphasize Pitt-pacifying diet
• Eat whenever hungry
• Eliminate aggravated Pitta by a gentle laxative treatment
• Avoid exertion
• Avoid overexposure to heat and sun
• Stay in a cooling environment
• Relax in natural surroundings
• Do cooling exercises like swimming or walking in cooler weather
   

KAPHA

• Can gain weight easily, loosing weight is difficult
• Can skip meals easily
• Tend to have congestion, mucus or sinus problems
• Has a deep sleep
• Has thick, oily, dark, or wavy hair
• Has smooth and soft skin with pale complexion
• Has a large body frame with a heavy bone structure
• Has a slow digestion and feels full after eating
• Has a steady energy level and strong stamina
• Is sensitive to cool and damp weather
• Tends to be slow, methodical and relaxed
• Needs at least 10 hrs sleep
• Is calm and composed by nature
• Learns slower with good memory
• Works slow and consistent
• Does not like responsibility

The Kapha principle

Structures and functions are responsible for the growth, stability, lubrication and storage within the body. Kapha includes the musculoskeletal frame, composition of all joints, the process of tissue building, wound healing and different accumulations. Kapha dosha is also responsible for mental functions like memory, tranquility, faith, forgiveness, devotion and emotions like love, affection, calmness, patience, sympathy, attachment, reed and lethargy. The primary location is the Stomach.

Kapha is the biological principle of water and earth. The Kapha structures and functions have qualities like heavy, cold, wet, slow, steady, soft oily, sweet and smooth.

Tips for balancing Kapha

• Emphasize a diet which is Kapha-pacifying
• Reduce sugars and sweets
• Drink warming fluids
• Keep warm
• Avoid cold and damp
• Stimulate with a full body dry massage
• Accept motivating challenges
• Do vigorous exercises like aerobic, tennis, Astanga Yoga etc. regular
   

The Mental Constitution

The state of the mind is a very important aspect of a person. The 'rshis' (sages) understood that everything in this world has got three principal modes. The tendency to act, rest and balance is within all living entities.  Rajas, Tamas and Satwa (together known as the tri-gunas) are the tree modes of the universe inherent in every particle, without which we can't excist. Generally these three modes are applied to understanding the mind, since the mind is the more subtle aspect of our body.

The three modes are not permanent. They  are changeable according to our association and action. One can change the modes of mind through constant practice. We can evolve from rajas or tamas to satwa, the balance and harmony, through acute self awareness, humility and diligence. A well balanced male should have 70% satva, 20% rajas and 10% tamas. A well balanced female should have 70% satva, 10% rajas and 20% tamas. While a true guru would be 100% sattwig.

To determine your current predominant mental state look at the following:

Mental Clarity

Concentration

Memory

Will power

Honesty

Peace of mind

Creativity

Spiritual study

Mantra/Prayer

Meditation

Selfless service

Relationships

Anger

Fear

Desire

Pride

Depression

Love

Violent Behaviour

Attachment

Forgiveness

Diet

Addictive behaviour

Sensory impression

Sleep requirement

Sexual activity

Control of senses

Speech

Cleanliness

Work

Satva

Very clear

Good

Good

Strong

Always

Generally

High

Daily

Daily

Daily

Often

Harmonious

Rarely

Rarely

Little

Modes

Never

Universal

Never

Detached

Forgive easily

Vegetarian

Never

Calm

Little

Controlled

Good

Peaceful

High

Selfless

Rajas

Hyperactive

Moderate

Moderate

Variable

Mostly

Occasionally

Moderate

Occasionally

Occasionally

Occasionally

Occasionally

Passionate

sometimes

Sometimes

some

some ego

Sometimes

Personal

Sometimes

Occasionally

With effort

some meat

occasionally

mixed

moderate

intense

moderate

agitated

moderate

reward centred

Tamas

Cloudy

Poor

Poor

Weak

Rarely

Rarely

Low

Never

Never

Never

Rarely

Disturbed

Frequently

Frequently

Uncontrollable

Vain

Frequently

Lacking in love

Frequently

Attached

grudges

frequent meat

frequently

disturbed

excessive

uncontrollable

low

dull

low

aimless

Satwa

is exemplified by balance and harmony. It is the state of harmony, discrimination, stability of mind, efficiency of handling matters without partiality and selfishness, emotional stability and detachment.

Satwic people tend to have an inherent instinct for cleanliness and possess and effortless wisdom reflected in their action. they don't tend to worry, be anxious or panic. They do things in a systematic, intelligent and peaceful way.

Satwa is the peaceful, calm state of mind exemplified by the world's saintly people. When satwa declines we resort to rajas or tamas, depending upon the person's activities.

Rajas

is the inherent tendency to be active. This is essential to get things done. when excessive, Rajas results in hyperactivity, aggression, passion, severe attachment, agitation and regrettable actions. When unbalanced rajas is considered a disturbing influence on the mind.

Rajasic people tend to be power hungry and dissatisfied with what positions or possessions they obtain, they are constantly striving for more often  at the cost of those around them. They have a brave yet jealous and cruel character.

Tamas

presents as inertia. Rest or sleep is impossible without this quality. It provides grounding and stability. Its increase results in inertia, laziness, apathy, ignorance and depression. Excessive tamas is darkness.

Tamasic people tend to avoid work, with a penchant for uncontrolled sense gratification and wasting time. They avoid cleanliness and are not health conscious. They are the most prone to phobia and procrastination.