How to Balance Tridoshic

According to practitioners of ayurvedic medicine, each person is composed on varying degrees of the three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. Vata is generally associated with lightness or air, pitta with fire and kapha with water and earth. Balance is achieved through nutrition, leisure and other aspects of a person's lifestyle that are believed best for each dosha; these best characteristics are usually the opposite of the particular dosha's primary characteristics. For example; a person with a high kapha dosha can become lethargic and lazy if he is out of balance. To regain or maintain balance, he should keep himself occupied with physical activities and eat spicy foods. This is a very limited example, but the general state of tridoshic balance is said to be achieved by making choices that satisfy the needs of each dosha.

Instructions

• 1

  To balance vata dosha you should keep a regular daily routine. Your meals should be warm and somewhat moist or made with oil, rather than dry. Avoid coldness, extremes in temperature and extremes in daily activities to keep your vata dosha balanced.

• 2

  To balance your pitta dosha, focus on foods and activities that are cooling, dry and nourishing. For example; avoid stimulants and replace them with cooling herbs such as aloe or cilantro. Eat your main meal at noon and concentrate on foods that are naturally sweet, bitter or astringent, such as fresh fruit or beans. To relax, take a walk in nature or meditate.

• 3

  To balance your kapha dosha, aim to keep yourself physically and mentally active and warm. Do this by exercising frequently, living in a warm, dry climate and avoiding sweets and junk food. Keep your mind active and continue to learn things each day. Eat light, spicy or pungent foods, such as cayenne and most vegetables. Avoid sedentary, non-stimulating activities, such as frequently sleeping in or sitting on the couch all day.