Three basic forces
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Ayurveda believes in three types of "forces" arising from the influence of the fundamental elements.
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These three forces, or doshas, govern your qualities, and the kind of illnesses that'll plague you.
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The doshas are divided into Vata(Energy, movement, stamina), Pitta(Digestion, body heat), and Kapha(Body Structure, and physical well being).
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Based on your characteristics, an ayurvedic practitioner can propose appropriate remedies, diets, etc.
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Ayurveda believes that matter is manifested in five elements.
The Doshas & Health
The combination of the five elements gives three basic forces (tridoshas) which exist in everything in the universe. These tridoshas influence all mental and physical processes. From ether and air comes Vata. From fire and water comes Pitta. From earth and water comes Kapha.
According to Ayurveda, everybody is born with a typical balance of the Doshas. The balance of the Doshas in our parents determines the proportions at the time of our conception. The body type, temperament and illnesses we are prone to are largely governed by the predominant dosha. This way we get our basic constitution, called Prakriti. This remains unaltered throughout our life.
Vata
Vata, controls all types of movements and is responsible for respiration too. This is the kinetic force in all kinds of biological forms, and controls the body's auto-functions (nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination and heartbeats etc.) therein. In case of an imbalance (vikruti), vata prakriti individuals, who are quick in their mental process and initiation of action, tend to suffer from diseases of the neurological system especially motor functions.
Pitta
Pitta Prakriti is responsible for maintenance of body heat and transforming in nature. All types of outside elements an individual takes-in are transformed into inside elements (microcosm) of the body by pitta. It governs the digestion or proper assimilation of physical, mental and emotional elements of a biological entity. Hence, Pitta is responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems, as well as cellular metabolism.The pitta prakriti persons are prone to diseases of the digestive and metabolic systems. The diseases mostly affect the abdomen i.e. the area between the chest and umbilicus.
Kapha
Kapha is responsible for structure and bulk of the material. Kapha is responsible for body form and structure (fluids, fats, bones and muscles). The kapha prakriti endows the individuals with a good physique and strong perseverance. The diseases normally affect the upper parts of the body i.e. chest and above. Generally people are a combination of two doshas i.e. dwandvaja prakriti. They possess characteristics of both doshas involved depending on the percentage of the combination. In this case, one is a primary and the other is the secondary dosha. Sometimes people are a combination of all the three imbalances of doshas. But, it is extremely rare to find a balanced state of all the three doshas.
Citations
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