People’s dosha balance can be disrupted in a number of ways. An inappropriate diet and lifestyle for your dosha type will cause a slowly developing excess or deficiency in doshas. If you suffer significant trauma, however, the dosha levels can change immediately and dramatically. Dosha imbalance can also occur from an accumulation of toxins or when too many experiences of a particular dosha take place without enough experiences from the other doshas. Once you understand your baseline dosha type, you can assess imbalances that may contribute to disease. Remember, it is the strongest dosha in your constitution that has the greatest tendency to increase.
For example, if you have a Kapha dosha type, you have a natural tendency to those things that have Kapha qualities, thus increasing your Kapha energy. If you have a lifestyle that includes overeating, not exercising, and sleeping excessively, and you have a desk job, your Kapha dosha can become excessive. You may need to consciously add opposite qualities to pacify or balance your Kapha energy such as decrease your food intake, eat more pungent and bitter vegetables and astringent fruits, and increase your exercise.
Achieving doshas balance does not happen quickly—you need to work at it consciously. In some cases, lifestyle changes may be difficult, such as the nature of your job, while others may be easier, such as a change in leisure activities. Typically, people find that diet, exercise, and leisure activities are the most amenable to change. For example, television and computers increase Vata through stimulation of the eyes and ears and increase Kapha by the passive nature of these activities. If the television program makes you angry or your computer program will not do what you wish, your Pitta may be stimulated. Limiting the time spent watching television and being selective with programs may help you balance your doshas and move toward a healthier state. Likewise, if you spend a lot of time at your computer, you need to take frequent breaks, move and stretch your body, and rest your eyes.
Balancing Vata Dosha
If your strongest dosha is Vata, you need to develop more regularity in your daily routines such as eating regular meals, having an established bedtime, and slowing down and taking time to think. Because you have a tendency to dry skin, oil your skin regularly.
People with Vata doshas are drawn to sensory experiences involving movement, speed, and action, and you may enjoy loud music and computer games. To maintain a healthy balance, make an effort to balance those activities with quiet, creative pursuits such as writing, photography, or painting. Similarly, because you are attracted to vigorous exercise, try to engage in gentle exercise every day. Remember, Ayurveda suggests that all exercise be done at one-half of one’s capacity. If you know that you are exhausted after a 40-minute aerobic class, then you should do only 20 minutes of the class.
People with Vata doshas enjoy spending their vacations sightseeing, touring, and filling their days and nights with many activities and returning home exhausted. A more beneficial vacation would be in a beautiful, sunny, and warm environment where you rest and limit your activities. If you are a Vata type, your clothes are mostly dark shades that may reflect a tendency to become depressed. Bright yellow colours and pastel shades may brighten your mood.
Balancing Pitta Dosha
If you area Pitta type, you need to loosen up on setting and achieving goals and learn to enjoy here-and-now moments. You can learn to achieve your ambitions without pressuring yourself. Your need to organize yourself, and everyone else, must be kept under control lest you become easily frustrated when things do not go as planned.
You are stimulated by competitive, mentally challenging situations that may increase your aggression or your determination to win. Learn to use constructive criticism rather than confrontation. Engaging in non competitive leisure activities such as gardening may help prevent an excess of Pitta.
Vacations in cooler climates and water and winter sports will cool your tendency to be warm. Avoid organizing your vacations in the greatest of detail and try to enjoy whatever happens. Red clothing over stimulates Pitta and may contribute to a more aggressive approach to others. Cool, soft, pale colours are more balancing to the Pitta dosha.
Balancing Kapha Dosha
If you area Kapha type, you need to vary your daily experiences to avoid becoming stuck in a rut. Try to make small changes in routine every day. Get up early and go to bed late to limit your tendency to sleep many hours.
Since you may prefer to sit and do nothing, find activities that are mentally and physically stimulating. Kapha is balanced by vigorous exercise but you will most likely have to force yourself. Because you have good stamina, you can exercise for a longer time than people who are Vata or Pitta.
You would prefer a vacation lying on a beach doing nothing but soaking up the sun. You will find, however, that sightseeing and touring will be more stimulating and balancing for you. All colors, except greens and dark blues, balance Kapha. You will find that bright, strong colors are exciting and balancing.
Understanding and determining your doshas is an ongoing process. As you observe your mind, body, spirit, and relationships, you will learn how you respond to different qualities in everyday activities. When you’re sure what your dosha type is, think about your lifestyle in terms of diet, work, leisure activities, exercise, daily routines, quiet times, sleep, and relationships. Applying the principles of Ayurveda, you can begin making choices about the qualities you want incorporated into your life. Don’t focus on negatives—”I shouldn’t…”—think about what you want to start doing. Then, try to limit your exposure to those qualities you do not want, and spend more time enjoying those that will aid your well-being.
Change begins with small steps and is a gradual process. You may want to seek the advice of an Ayurvedic practitioner to individualize a lifestyle change program. Remember: mind and body always strive toward health; with time, nurturing, routine, and gentle discipline, you can achieve a more complete level of well-being.