Personalised Self-Care Based on Your Ayurvedic Body Type

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda means the “science of life” in Sanskrit. It has been taught for thousands of years in India, so is one of the oldest healing sciences in the world – it way out-does Western medicine on the scientific timeline.

And as more of us become frustrated with the limitations of cure-focused pills, Ayurveda is gaining popularity.

There are three Ayurveda body types or doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. We often have a primary and secondary body type.

Your dosha can tell you:

• The types of food and movement you thrive on
• Your personality traits
• Which body areas tend to become imbalanced.

I love an archetype — astrology, Disney princess quizzes, anything that helps me understand myself on a deeper level.

And since Ayurveda is centred around principles of balance and individuality, it’s perfect for women who want to understand what nourishment their unique body needs and create lifelong habits for keeping them grounded and balanced.

I became interested in Ayurveda when I first started experiencing the complex, chronic health symptoms that Western medicine could simply not find a definite reason or answer for.

I’ve adopted its key idea: we are all simply built different. And if you’re a sensitive person like me, we’re built in a way that necessitates health awareness and dedication – since our lower thresholds to things like toxins and stress mean we often experience adrenal fatigue, gut sensitivities, anxiety and inflammation.

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The Ayurveda body types

Here’s a quiz to discover yours — or keep reading to let your intuition tell you which one of the Ayurveda body types you are!

Vata

Creative, lean, versatile.

Vatas are blessed with great bursts of energy and initiative to start many new exciting things. Naturally light and lean body, you can experience sudden bouts of fatigue, may have disrupted sleep and trouble digesting some foods. Vatas are also prone to anxiousness, insomnia, weight loss, constipation and irregular digestion.

Your key guiding principles: warming, grounding and consistency.

1. Always remain warm by dressing adequately and using blankets
2. Touch loved ones and pets, have regular massage rituals
3. Bring more heat by drinking tea, eating cooked and spicy foods
4. Eat your meals at regular times and don’t skip eating for the sake of your projects!
5. Focus on hydration through water intake, soups, and baths
6. Choose light exercise for balance and flexibility like yoga, walking, and dance – nothing that pushes yourself too far
7. Use deep breathing and meditation to focus on slowing down and resting an active mind
8. Make time to enjoy positive creative pursuits like music, art, writing, dance

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Pitta

Driven, athletic, heated.

Pittas are our leaders, sharp thinkers, decision-makers and teachers. You have fantastic concentration, an unparalleled drive and a sharp wit. Pittas usually have an athletic body and powerful digestion, giving you a ravenous appetite and good sleeping habits. You’re prone to losing your temper, indigestion, excessive body heat, skin rashes and acne.

Your key guiding principles: cooling, sweetening and creating space.

1. Take breaks regularly to bring spaciousness into your day, balance activity and rest
2. Do not skip meals or wait until you’re starving to eat
3. Eat cooling foods and sweet fruits, but limit spice and salt
4. Use water to cool yourself, especially swimming
5. Make time to enjoy wide, open spaces and fresh air, like gazing at the night sky, walking in open natural environments, use a fan
6. Exercise during the cooler parts of the day
7. Make time to laugh and play to bring lightness

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Kapha

Steady, nurturing, solid.

Kaphas are naturally loving, calm, steady and reliable. You don’t mind routine and just generally enjoy life. You have a strong build, amazing stamina and sleep like a baby, but not as strong a digestive fire as Pittas. Kaphas are often resistant to change, stubborn or hold onto relationships or things that no longer serve them. You’re also prone to weight gain, allergies, congestion, sluggishness and depression.

Your key guiding principles: invigorating and cleansing:

1. Stick to a regular daily routine and avoid long sleep-ins or daytime napping
2. Cultivate fire through aerobic exercise, focusing on building endurance through running, swimming or competitive sports
3. Seek stimulation of new experiences and challenges to balance kapha’s heaviness and tendency to cling to habits
4. Activate the mind with mental challenges like games and puzzles
5. Clear out spaces of clutter to avoid things accumulating
6. Eat your largest meal at lunchtime, with a smaller dinner at least 3 hours before bed
7. Eat light and fresh foods, but avoid dairy, fatty, oily and sugary foods to limit congestion
8. Spicy foods and coffee can also invigorate a sluggish kapha metabolism
9. Stay warm and dry, using a heating pad under your back if congested and keeping your nose and throat covered from the cold

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Remember, this is not a bible — Ayurveda is simply another tool to add to your self-care belt. By incorporating supportive practices specific to your dosha, you can nourish and protect your body in ways it most needs to stay balanced.

Take care of your unique body and listen in to what she needs today.

With love,

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