Dosha- That which goes out of balance.
Let’s take a moment to dive a little deeper into the science of this life. Within us and all around us there are three governing energies. These energies are not fancy or foreign, they are universal principles. They are hard science. You see them in biology, chemistry, physics and of course Ayurveda. Don’t get caught up in the sanskrit names either, I use them so when you hear these terms they will be more familiar. Now, lets dive in…
Dosha means “that which can easily go out of balance”. The dosha’s are the three governing energies constantly moving in and out of balance all the time, no need to assume out of balance is bad thing. The goal is to work with these energies like a dance with nature. The more we understand these three energies, the better at dancing with nature we become.
What are the three governing energies?
Vata dosha- The principle of movement.
Vata is responsible for all of the movement in the entire universe. From the rotation of the planets to the movement of nutrients in and out of our cells to the electrons moving around the nucleus of an atom. Vata governs anything having to do with movement.
Pitta dosha- The principle of transformation/conversion.
Pitta is responsible for all transformation. From solar energy into heat and light, the transformation of food into nutrients and waste, to the transformation of one molecule to another.
Kahpa dosha- The principle of cohesion.
Kapha is responsible for holding everything together. A great example is gravity, the structure of the cell membrane, or the protons and neutrons held together in an atom.
Without the three governing energies, Vata, Kapha, and Pitta nothing in this universe would be as we know and understand it. From the solar system to the human system to the individual atom, all three of these energies are functioning at every level of existence.
How do we use these energies to dance with nature?
Remember dosha means that which can easily goes out of balance. The doshas exist within us and all around us. They are always functioning. So what? This means we can balance by changing our lifestyle and diet according to:
Our prakriti (the energies predominate within us)
The season (fall-early winter, late winter-spring and summer)
The time of day
Our stage of life (child, adult, elder)
