What are Ayurvedic doshas? A beginner's guide to mindful health and wellbeing – Screen Shot

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As a South Asian hailing from a coastal state in India, there are three statements that echoed throughout my childhood: Don’t play under coconut trees, ginger tea solves everything, and when in doubt, always choose Ayurveda. As a child, I never bothered to dwell on the latter—the closest to ‘natural healing’ that I required was the slathering of hand-crushed tulsi (holy basil) onto mosquito bites and itches.
Over time, however, some of my health conditions (including deteriorating eyesight and a poisonous spider bite) tumbled me into the therapeutic world of Ayurveda, and I soon realised that there’s more to the natural system of well-being than meets the eye. So, if you’ve been searching for a holistic way to balance your mind, body, and soul, let me guide you into one of the world’s oldest healing systems that is still widely used today.
More specifically, a unique combination of biodynamic energies that align with elements of nature—the knowledge of which will help you make wiser choices in regard to your diet, lifestyle, and more.
Originating in India more than 3,000 years ago, Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ayur’ (meaning ‘life’) and ‘veda’ (‘science’ or ‘knowledge’). Thereby translating to ‘knowledge of life’ or ‘science of life’, the ancient practice is based on the idea that diseases are caused due to an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness. Ayurveda hence encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain an ideal balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.
As noted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, Ayurvedic treatments typically start with an internal purification process, followed by a special diet, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation. While 90 per cent of Ayurvedic remedies are plant-based (derived from roots, leaves, fruits or seeds), treatments also include the use of animal products (including milk, bones, and gallstones), and minerals. Focusing on holistic health and wellbeing, the practice is the opposite of a ‘one size fits all’ approach—in turn, hinging on the concepts of universal interconnectedness, the body’s constitution, and life forces.
“Goals of treatment aid the person by eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing worry, and increasing harmony in life,” Johns Hopkins Medicine goes on to add.
Now, Ayurveda believes that everything in the universe is made up of five basic elements: aakash (space), jala (water), prithvi (Earth), teja (fire), and vayu (air). Working on the powers and qualities of these five elements, the natural system of medicine pushes the importance of keeping them balanced for a healthy body and mind. And this is where the concept of life forces, known as ‘doshas’, makes its vibey debut.
According to Ayurveda, doshas control one’s body type, food preferences, and the creation, maintenance and breakdown of bodily tissue, as well as psychological aspects like emotions, understanding, and love. The practice believes that everyone under the sun is influenced by certain elements more than others, which leads to the conception of three dosha types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
“Ayurveda divides all living beings, not just humans, into three distinct body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha based on their unique constitution,” said Salila, Ayurveda health coach and founder of wellness travel consultancy Ayurgamaya. “The three doshas are Vata energy, Pitta energy, and Kapha energy.”
Unlike how typical body types and categorisations work, there is no one single dosha for a person. On the contrary, everyone has a unique ratio of all three dosha types within them. “This is fundamental to all of us,” Salila explained. “Each biological dosha energy has a vital role to play in our health and wellbeing.”
While air and space dominate Vata dosha, fire and water are associated with Pitta, and Earth and water are linked to Kapha. “Vata is the intelligence behind all movement in the body. Pitta is the intelligence that governs metabolism, transmutation, and the acid-alkali balance. Kapha energy helps to build up bulk in the body,” Salila continued. Let’s jump into a crash course on each of these dosha types now, shall we?
People with Vata dosha tend to have a lean or delicate build with dry skin and frizzy hair—reportedly triggered by highly-functioning circulatory systems within their bodies. Considered as an energetic dosha, Vata is linked to flexibility, creativity, and a free-flowing spirit. It’s associated with bodily movements like breathing, muscle contraction, and heart function.
Vata body types are further known for thinking outside the box but they can become easily distracted. What’s more is that their mood is highly dependent on the weather, the people around them, and the food they eat. While they are kind-hearted and on-the-go multi-taskers, they can get overwhelmed pretty easily, be highly sensitive to the cold, have an irregular appetite and eating patterns, as well as be prone to digestive issues. But hey, all hot girls have gut problems, right?
Known for their tenacious personalities, Pitta types are said to have a muscular build, be very athletic, and serve as strong leaders. They’re highly motivated, goal-oriented, and competitive. At the same time, however, their aggressive and tenacious nature can be off-putting to some people, which can lead to conflict.
People with Pitta dosha are more prone to acne, have oily skin, be sensitive to hot temperatures, and harbour strong digestion and intense appetites—both for food and challenges. This is why if they miss a meal, they are likely to become grumpy and take a ‘bite’ out of someone instead. “When the Pitta is in a negative state of mind, their circulation and absorption of nutrients and waste materials are suppressed. They develop diarrhoea, rashes, ulcers, and inflammatory conditions,” Salila explained on her website.
Lastly, Kapha types can be described as steady, stable, slow, cold, and soft. People with this dosha are described as strong, thick-boned, caring, and forgiving. They’re known for keeping things together and being a support system for others. Kapha-dominant people rarely get upset, think before acting, and go through life in a slow and deliberate manner.
While they are patient and romantic, they have a slow metabolism, face breathing issues like allergies and asthma, have a higher risk of heart diseases, and are prone to weight gain. They are also more susceptible to depression, and need regular motivation and encouragement. “When Kapha displays a negative state of mind, they curl up in bed, they like to stay at home and they frequently catch coughs, colds, sinus infections,” Salila wrote.

A post shared by Salila ✨ 4th Gen. Ayurveda Healer (@salila.ayurveda)

At this point, I know what you’re thinking: Why should I be aware of my dosha type? How can it help analyse my health and wellbeing in the first place?
“Your unique constitution, your dosha imbalance, is determined by the basic element that is dominant in your body,” Salila explained. Now, what does that mean exactly? Well, think of your unique combination of energies as your own personal blueprint. As you move through life, the proportion of each of the three doshas constantly fluctuates according to your environment, diet, and age, as well as the seasons and climate. As they move in and out of balance, the doshas can affect your health, energy level, and overall mood.
“Once you figure out your Ayurvedic body type, you will understand what causes an imbalance in your body,” Salila continued. “You will be able to make great diet and lifestyle choices that will leave you feeling vibrant, rested, and well cared for. This feeling of ease and balance is bound to have long-lasting healing benefits for your mind, body, and soul.”
When SCREENSHOT reached out to Ayurveda and wellbeing practitioner Dr Nikhita Shere, the Gurgaon-based expert also mentioned how the tridoshas greatly aid in defining an individual’s body constitution. “Prakriti further helps determine the most suited diet, lifestyle, and wellness choices that bring harmony to the mind, body, and spirit,” she said. At the end of the day, remember that balance is everything at this forefront, and it’s achieved by harmonising the three types of life forces in question.
According to Dr Shere, there aren’t necessarily any positive and negative factors associated with the three body types, but a distinction in the unique composition of individuals. “One person’s strength may be another’s weakness, so embracing your body constitution and building self-awareness is the best way to deal with imbalances,” she added.
When asked about the qualities linked to the three doshas, Salila went on to share how they make up the fundamental principles of Ayurveda. “Once we start seeing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha everywhere and see the world with this lens, we become wiser about our choices of diet and lifestyle, rituals, and environment. We even start to benefit from this knowledge in all aspects of our life, including who we need to call up when we are in a fix. For example, a fiery Pitta in the middle of a meltdown should reach for a supportive Kapha friend. A Vata friend would be a bad idea since the Vata has a propensity for anxiety.”
Now, as we’ve learned, an ideal balance between the doshas results in a healthy body and mind. However, there are certain factors including improper diet, poor lifestyle management, and stress and tension that can lead to imbalances. Whatever may be the reason, when any of the doshas get vitiated, it disturbs the state of harmony.
“Imbalance in doshas lead to ‘Vikruti’, that is disorders or disease,” Dr Shere explained. “In order to correct these, we must find the root cause and work towards realignment of the body. An Ayurvedic doctor can help you with this, as they are equipped with years of experience and training to bring this shift with the help of diet, lifestyle, wellness rituals, and medicinal herbs, if needed.”
As per Salila, such imbalances can be corrected by applying the ‘Samanya Vishesha’ principle. “Like increases like and opposites calm and soothe. So, with this in mind, it’s easy to see how an anxious Vata who is feeling dry, dehydrated, and cold can soothe themselves with a warm cup of fall veggie soup spiked with spice and lots of ghee (roasted sesame for a vegan alternative). The unctuousness of ghee or sesame offers protection, liquid helps with restoring hydration, and spices warm up the body.”

A post shared by Dr Nikhita | Ayurveda (@doctornikhita)

If all of this information has piqued your interest and the mini crash course offered earlier didn’t exactly help determine your Ayurvedic body type, don’t fret just yet. A cursory Google search with the keywords ‘dosha quiz’ will list hundreds of online questionnaires that you can fill to zero in on your unique combination, borderline Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) style.
Ranging from questions about your body temperature, appetite, stamina, and sleep patterns to stress management, memory, and bowel movement, the quizzes cover physical characteristics, health concerns, and mental disposition to determine your dosha type. That being said, it also makes one wonder as to how precise these online tests are in the first place.
According to Dr Shere, while an Ayurvedic quiz is the “quickest and easiest way to find your dominant dosha and determine Prakriti, a one-on-one consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor is the most accurate method—as they are well-experienced and trained to conduct an in-depth assessment.”
At the same time, Salila highlighted how an online quiz is essentially a great place to start. “I have one on my website which is quite popular with my community. This is the first step to connecting the dots on what it means to be a ‘dosha type’. From here, we are able to gain a lot more from a consultation with a practitioner,” the health coach shared. “I find that people who come to me for consultation with absolutely no knowledge of Ayurveda do not really have successful outcomes unless they begin to use a consultation as a jumping off point for learning more.”

A post shared by Salila ✨ 4th Gen. Ayurveda Healer (@salila.ayurveda)

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda translates to ‘the science of life’. In the Western world, however, the practice is still classified as a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Now, CAM carries a stigma, as many Western medicine practitioners believe Ayurveda is not rooted in science and provides treatments that are ‘unproven’ and ‘ineffective’. When it comes to doshas, while many proponents have backed its link to optimal health, many have pointed to the lack of ‘scientific’ evidence to prove the same.
When asked about her expert take on the discourse, Dr Shere said, “Ayurveda is an ancient science which has been time-tested and yet holds true. However, it may not have enough scientific data to support the wisdom it beholds, but with time, I am sure this won’t be a challenge.” The practitioner added that, especially when it comes to the case of herbs and their benefits, the so-called ‘scientific’ findings are aligned to the ones in Ayurvedic scriptures themselves—in turn, proving their results and efficacy.
“Ayurveda sutras were compiled when the rest of the world was still in the Stone Age,” Salila shared on these terms. “These principles do not need scientific studies to make them valid or useful for the public, they have been proven through hundreds of generations of use to be of immense value to humanity.”
According to the coach, scientific rigour should be applied to test Ayurveda’s evidence-based knowledge so that we can find new ways to formulate modern medicines from the classic recipes. “Can you imagine Chyawanprash drops or transdermal patches? Ayurveda offers a 360-degree view of the root cause to disease and patient management—modern medicine has much to learn from this.”
At the end of the day, remember that Ayurveda emphasises prevention and health promotion rather than the treatment of disease, with a holistic approach that has survived for thousands of years. So irrespective of the CAM stigma Ayurveda has long been attached to, if you’re looking to befriend the doshas in your life, understand their qualities, and adapt yourself in accordance with your type, it’s best to book a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor before making any drastic life changes—just like in the case of any other system of medicine.
Forget the ‘Google or Bing’ debate when it comes to online search engine preferences. In 2022, TikTok has officially become the go-to platform where internet users seek advice on almost everything under the sun. Looking to cure your awful cold? Just defrost some chicken and marinate it in cough syrup. Want to prevent soreness after a vaccination instead? Windmill your arms in the parking lot of the hospital and you should be good to go!
Now, the so-called health and wellness ‘trends’ that I’ve mentioned above are bound to make those who are hearing it for the first time a little sceptical. Rightly so. Heck, the videos would still fail to convince you even if you’re halfway down the rabbithole. That being said, however, there are some health practices that have become a mainstay on TikTok—convincing users of their ‘miracle’ benefits every time they resurface on the platform. And one of the top contenders in this category is none other than ‘nose breathing’. More specifically, nose breathing by taping your mouth shut at night: Don’t Breathe style.
With 15 million views and counting, TikTok’s #nosebreathing is all about blocking the air passage through your mouth with bits of tape before bedtime—ultimately forcing you to breathe through your nose when you’re asleep. While some TikTokers are seen repurposing commercial-grade duct tape, others recommend using small strips of porous medical tape to avoid looking like a sleeping hostage.
“Mouth taping. Try it,” a user enthused, holding a skin-grade binding apparatus designed specifically for the practice. “Sleep with it… You’re going to start getting the deepest sleep you’ll ever experience.”
Tape that mouth shut! #mouthtape #mouthtaping #mouthbreathing #sleepapnea #snoring
So how deep of a sleep are we talking about here? And why is mouth taping all the rage on TikTok again after it debuted on the platform and instantly vanished for good back in 2021? Well, according to users, mouth taping essentially helps reduce dry mouth, improve your oral health by curbing teeth grinding, cavities and gum recession, slow your breathing process and humidify the air (leading to better oxygen consumption), produce nitric oxide (which helps your body fight infections), as well as reduce your overall stress and anxiety—all the while promoting better sleep and ultimately stopping your bouts with snoring.
Now that’s a pretty long list of supposed benefits we’re talking about. At the same time, however, it should also be noted that all of these are the results of nose breathing in general, without the need to tape your mouth shut and “aid” the process. In fact, several professional experts claim the ‘miracle’ practice not only makes you look goofy but may actually do more harm than good. What a shocker, indeed.
For starters, let’s trace back to the root cause behind the popularity of mouth taping. Some of the major reasons for mouth breathing include nasal blockages, a deviated septum and sleep apnea—a sleep disorder where people have trouble breathing at night.
Now, respiring through your mouth isn’t exactly bad. However, it’s neither the healthiest nor the most effective way to breathe. It can also have some serious and long-term side effects, including low oxygen concentration in your blood—in turn contributing to health concerns like high blood pressure and heart problems. According to CNET, mouth breathing can further result in wear and fractures as well as caries and impacted teeth. Mouth breathers also have higher levels of gingivitis and halitosis.
Then comes the ‘habit’ aspect of the entire practice. Chances are that you’re not choosing to breathe through your mouth—and this is exactly what paves the way to the demand for retaining and retraining your nasal passage. Hence, the viral popularity of mouth taping. But as per Doctor Aarti Grover, medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Tufts Medical Center, covering your mouth won’t help solve the root issue and could make it even more difficult to breathe.
I wish I’d watched more taping videos before I tried this #mouthtaping #mouthbreathing #mouthtapingforsleep #sleeptricks
“Imagine you have an obstruction in your nasal cavity either from allergies or you’re congested and on top of that you tape your mouth, it could be problematic because you’re not getting enough air in from your nasal or your oral cavity,” Grover told USA Today, adding how it could ultimately result in a person not getting enough oxygen at night.
At the same time, the expert also noted the profound absence of data and studies on mouth taping. While a 2015 pilot study found that oral patches can help people with sleep apnea, it only included 30 participants—a sample size too small to draw significant conclusions. Another study in 2009 found that mouth taping isn’t effective for people with asthma. And that’s pretty much all the jury on the viral practice as of today.
Meanwhile, Doctor Kathryn Boling, a primary care expert at Mercy Medical Center in Maryland, explained that mouth taping is a terrible idea—harbouring other potential risk factors even for those who don’t have sleep-related conditions. “There are a lot of TikTok [trends] I see where I am like, ‘Goodness gracious, where do these things come from?’,” Boling admitted.
Most of the videos housed under #mouthtaping feature science journalist James Nestor’s 2020 book Breath: the New Science of a Lost Art. “[The book] completely changed my perspective about mouth taping and breathing through your nose,” a user commented, before reiterating the process and its alleged benefits. However, Dr. Chris Seton, Paediatric and Adolescent Sleep Physician with the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, doesn’t recommend the practice for both children and adults—although there are over-the-counter mouth taping products available in the market.
“If someone has a blocked nose, taping their mouth can lower their oxygen levels even more so they wake up more often,” the expert told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Sexy sleep #sleephabits #mouthtape #mouthtaping #nasalbreathing #beautysleep
A quick scroll through the comments section of mouth taping tutorials on TikTok would plop you into unstable waters—manifested alongside remarks like, “This would just make me feel claustrophobic” and “The way my nose is set up I might sleep forever.”
So if you’re someone who stumbled across the trend on the platform but preferred staying in the comment section with all the justified uncertainty, here are three alternative tips to reap the same benefits of the practice—minus the residue stickiness of the tape and all of the risks that come along with it.
The first and foremost hack to reduce snoring and mouth breathing is to switch your sleeping position. On these terms, CNET noted how sleeping on your side is your best bet. “It’s actually pretty easy to train yourself to sleep on your side. Just use a few well-placed pillows to keep you from rolling over. You can use specialised pillows like lumbar or multiposition pillows, but that’s not essential,” the publication added.
Another tip is to take your 24-hour allergy medication at night, so it’s up and circulating in your bloodstream to bring you relief when you wake up. “Short-acting allergy medication is the most effective shortly after you take it. If you generally have trouble sleeping at night because of your allergy symptoms, try taking your short-acting allergy medication before you go to sleep,” CNET continued.
This is pretty much self-explanatory. For decades, doctors and sleep psychologists alike have highlighted how screen time is the enemy of sleep. The blue light emitted by electronic screens might impede production of the sleep hormone melatonin, while exciting content might arouse you rather than lull you to bed. Creating a nighttime routine free of digital devices has proven to result in better sleep that doesn’t leave you tired the next morning.
Think of it this way, if you’d put on some music or taken a bubble bath half an hour before your bedtime, you wouldn’t have stumbled across ‘Mouth TapingTok’ in the first place.
the must-try mouth taping and nighttime beauty routine you haven’t asked for (YET). #mouthtaping #nighttimeroutine #unwindwithme #selfcare #beautyroutine #wellnesstips
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