Understanding the Doshas

Vata
Excreted from the body via gas and through muscular energy or nervous energy.
Elements: ether and air
Qualities: dry, cold, light, irregular, sharp, hard, mobile, subtle, rough, clear
Function: principle of movement, our life force, derived primarily from the breath
Main sites: empty spaces in the body, heart, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, pores of the bones, bone
marrow, brain, bladder, and subtle channels of nervous system, colon, thighs and hips, ears, and
skin
Time of day: 2 to 6 AM and PM
Time of year: fall and winter
Vata governs physically:

Blinking of the eyes

Movement of air in and out of the lungs
Heart beat
Nerve impulses through nervous system
Elimination of waste
Circulation of blood and lymph
Movement of nutrients in and out of cells
Homeostasis balance of whole body

Vata governs mentally and emotionally:

Mental balance and well being

Movement of ideas in the mind
Inspiration and creativity
Spiritual aspiration
Mental adaptability
Comprehension
Fear, insecurity, anxiety
Vision and imagination

Pitta
Excreted from the body via bile and acid
Elements: fire and water
Qualities: oily, hot, light, subtle, flowing, mobile, sharp, soft, clear, malodorous

Function: principle of transformation and heat

Main sites: stomach, small intestine, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, blood, eyes, skin,
brain, sweat and sebaceous glands, hormonal system
Time of day: 10 to 2 AM and PM
Time of year: summer
Pitta governs physically:

Appetite, digestion, metabolism

Thirst
Body heat and color
Luster of skin, shine of hair and light in eyes

Pitta governs mentally and emotionally:

Mental perception
Judgment, analysis, discrimination
Penetrating thought
Will power, control
Enthusiasm, joy, courage
Ambition, competition
Impatience, irritability, anger

Kapha
Excreted from the body via mucus
Elements: earth and water
Qualities: wet, cold, gross, dense, smooth, static, dull, soft, cloudy, heavy
Function: Principle of potential energy, growth and protection
Main sites: stomach, chest or lungs, throat, head, sinus passages, mouth and tongue, fat tissue,
brain tissue, joints, lymph, pancreas, pleural and pericardial cavities
Time of day: 6 to 10 AM and PM
Time of year: spring
Kapha governs physically:

Strength and stability

Water balance
Lubrication of mucous membranes and joints
Protects and cushions the whole body
Supports and holds structures of body together

Kapha governs mentally and emotionally:

Emotional support
Calmness and endurance
Patience and forgiveness
Ability to feel love, compassion and devotion
Sense of well being
Loyalty and affection
Complacent, greedy, possessive, stubborn