Question.....vita vata pitta kapha...

[Guest guest]

Honey -

Probably you were asking about vata, I do not know this word vita. As this is an

Ayurvedic forum, you will definitely find some unfamiliar terms here and there

which hopefully will send you studying some <*-)

> Ladies, First off....can you exlpain what vita is? There were a few

other words, but...I can now not find them. Also, I'd like a

'beginner course'.

 

In addition to many good beginner books, there are many good beginner

websites on ayurveda, such as mapi.com, saffronsoul.com,

www.ayurveda and others. The text below is lifted

from our group member ayurvedic practitioner and master herbalist Michael Dick's

website, at (be sure to scroll right to get the whole link, it stretches beyond

the rest of the text)

http://www.ayurveda-florida.com/articles_ayurvedic_medicine_diet_lifestyle_dhanv\

antari_ayurveda_center_ayurveda_education_programs/dosha.htm

where he has posted a wealth of information. (Mike, hope you don't

mind my sharing here...)

 

Honey, often the word below, dosha, is translated as metabolic principle. Some

schools of ayurveda call it imbalances, although we all often find our strengths

and individual tendencies as well as weaknesses well discussed in ayurvedic

doshic terms.

 

Pitta dominance usually also gives stronger passion in work and/or play, Vata

type more creativity of style, Kapha more steadiness.

 

There are many words which all can be linked in our understanding easily to the

5 " elements " which are also identified as sub=atomic principles in physics -

earth (solidity - cold, dense, dull/slow, dry, gross, etc)

water (fluidity & cohesiveness - cold, moist/liquid,smooth, clear)

fire (transformation & heat - hot, sharp, dry, light etc)

air (movement and change - cold, dry, subtle, clear etc)

ether or space (the emptiness others all exist in - pervading, dry,

cold).

 

Enjoy your connections...this is just a beginning foundation which when bulit

upon and extended helps understand a great deal of Ayurveda! Consider asking

your questions on further posts in these terms if you don't yet see the

connection, ok?

 

Warm Regards;

Ysha

 

Per MIke:

Each dosha has a special functional nature which derives from this

predominance of two elements, the exact nature of which varies

according to textual source. Each dosha has a physical nature composed

predominately of two elements (from what ayurveda calls earth, water, fire, air,

ether):

 

Vata: cold, dry, light, rough, mobile, subtle, clear and pervading

Pitta: slightly oily, sharp, hot, light, mobile, and liquid

Kapha: heavy, dull/slow, cold, oily, dense/solid, liquid, smooth,

soft, hard, stable, sticky/cloudy, and gross

 

In general these (3) doshas perform the following functions:

 

Vata protects the body, bestowing enthusiasm (eagerness, desire),

exhalation and inhalation, all movements (of the body, mind,

speech), initiation (and execution) of urges, maintenance of tissues,

proper functioning of senses.

Pitta in its normal state governs: digestion, body temperature,

vision, hunger, thirst, appetite, complexion, intelligence,

courage, valor, softness--. (suppleness) of the body

Kapha in its normal state governs: stability, lubrication,

compactness (firmness) of the joints, forbearance (forgiveness,

withhold emotions, strain, etc).