3 Guna Ayurveda ~ 3 Guna Ayurveda Health Center

One of the pillars of ayurveda living and healing is treating the person not the symptom. Each person is different and express various diseases and imbalances differently. Hence in ayurveda, the whole person is evaluated and given an individualized treatment regime. Though each person is different they can be categorized into three different categories or constitutions or doshas; Vata, Pita and Kapha. This is derived from the element theory.

From the subtle to the gross the elements are Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. The combination of Ether and Air is the Vata Dosha. The combination of Fire and Water is Pitta and Water and Earth is Kapha. These doshas have the qualities of the elements that it represents. For example, Vata qualities are light, sporadic, energetic, dry and cold. Where Kapha at the other extreme is heavy, solid, slow and wet.

Vrikruti vs. Prakruti

Your prakruti is the constitution you were born with, which is constant. Remember a person always has all three dosha present in the body. Your body type is based on which dosha or doshas are dominant. Let's say a person has a high dominance of Vata and secondary dominance of Pitta; hence this person has a Vata Pitta dosha. Vrikruti is the current imbalance with is ever changing with seasons, life style, food, stress, events and emotions. The following descriptions can give clues on your Vrikruti, for a comprehensive and accurate assessment of your dosha a pulse reading from a qualified ayurvedic practitioner is recommended.

Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Physical Attributes
Really short or really tall. Slim, usually underweight. Has a really hard time gaining weight. Skin: Dry, rough skin, protruding veins, thin skin, Cold to the touch, brittle nails. Digestion: Sporadic digestion. Dry and hard bowel movements. Tendency towards constipation.	Medium, strong built. Tend to be muscular or gain muscles quicker then other doshas. Skin: warm or hot skin, slightly oily, freckles, hair loss and usually red tones to hair. Digestion: Strong digestion, get hungry on time. If aggravated pitta, acidity will form and more frequent loose bowel movements.	Large and strong body frame, tendency towards being overweight; hard time loosing weight. Skin: Thick skin, oily or moisturized skin, smooth, cool and clammy to touch. Digestion: Slow or inefficient digestion (feel heavy after eating and not hungry timely). Soft and slimy or mucus stools.

Personality Attributes
Creative “Idea People” Flexible, Fluid, Adaptable Explorers Sensitive Active, Energetic Spontaneous	Action Oriented Leaders, Motivators Self-Motivated Ambitious, Confident Perfectionist Stubborn Sharp, Smart, Clear Warm – Leads Well Friendly Good Perception Organizing power	Emotionally Strong and Stable Generous Dependable Strong Will Loving Sweet, Compassionate Affectionate Content Tolerant, Patient Calm, Supportive

When Aggravated
Erratic Lack of Focus Forgetful Indecisive Fearful Nervous Noisy Agitated Unreliable	Impulsive Critical Dominating Willful Anger Jealous Irritation Perfection Arrogance	Attached Dull Stubborn Comfort Oriented Holds Grudges Inflexible Possessive Greedy Need of Security

When Imbalanced
Introvert / Secretive Isolated Suicidal Depression Turn to drugs and hurts themselves	Violent Destructive Vindictive Organizers of Crime or Terror Drugs and alcohol abuse and hurt others	Depression of Inertia No Motivation No care for anything (dispassionate after burning out from giving) Couch Potato Insensitive to others, lack of understanding

Treatment Recommendation (These are high level recommendations to pacify the specific dosha imbalances, but an single individual might have more then one type of imbalance, so consult with a 3 Guna Specialist for a more customized recommendation)
Abhyanga with Vata Oils and Karna Purna	Abhyanga with Pitta Oils, Shirodhara, and Netra (Eye) Basti	Abhyanga with Kapha Oils, Swedna, and Nasya

Home Remedies
Stay away from: ice cold drinks and food. Winter is the most aggravating: Stay warm and moisturized. Apply warm sesame oil from head to toe before showering.	Stay away from: Spicy and oily foods. Summer is the most aggravating: Stay cool. In the evenings apply coconut oil from head to toe (esp on head) before shower.	Stay away from: Iced cold drinks and oily and cooling foods. Cold Damp season is the most aggravating. Stay warm and dry.

Recommended Exercise
Light Exercise: Yoga, Tai Chi, Palates, light work out, etc.	Physically Exerting Exercise with Competitiveness: Sports, water sports, heavy work out, etc.	Heavy Cardio Exercise: Running, jump roping, biking, cardio machines, etc.

Foods to Stay Away From
Iced cold drinks	Iced cold drinks	Iced cold drinks
	sour fruits
cold foods like ice cream, etc.	Spicy foods	heavy foods like bread and cheese
Recommended Foods
	Milk
	sweet fruits