SAVE SYMPTOM
1-2 bowel movements a day is ideal. Stool should be like a banana in size, shape, and consistency with a medium brown color. The surface should be smooth but not slimy.
A square shaped face is typical of Pitta-Kapha - who tends to have good muscle definition and a strong jawline.
A square shaped face is typical of Pitta-Kapha - who tends to have good muscle definition and a strong jawline.
A broad large chest is a sign of Kapha dosha. When Kapha individuals are balanced, a man's chest will appear like superman, and a women's curvy. The muscles on the chest reflect earth element. The size of the breast reflects the amount of sweet taste...
Even though a Kapha person may feel psychologically insecure, their body is generally abundant & secure. This security bestows Kapha with a caring, generous, calm & patient nature. Kapha individuals appear calm outwardly but often experience a storm of...
Pitta individuals tend to maintain a constant weight. They have a high enough metabolism to prevent weight loss, yet a strong enough digestion to be well nourished.
Inspiration, creativity and imagination activate the crown chakra and an experience of your spiritual nature, reflecting the minds associative, relational nature. Although pleasant, it may be impossible to discern whether the spiritual experience is of...
Dry, dark, frizzy hair appears unruly with frayed and split ends. It tends to be a trait of Vata type individuals. The health of the hair reflects...
On the whole, women are more moist than men. A Chinese medical quote goes, "Women have blood to give, men have energy (Qi) to give." This excess of blood is eliminated through menses, which has a draining effect. Lack of menstruation creates a...
Fine, straight, or reddish hair tends to be thin and light in texture. It can be fair in color, like a strawberry blonde, or a bright, vibrant red. This hair type is characteristic of a
Kapha individuals are afraid of changing the status quo. They love consistency and stability. Stability itself is a good thing, but when out of balance Kapha is unable to make necessary changes.
A heart shaped face is a face that is wider at the top than the bottom. We speculate this Pitta symptom is due, poetically, to "heat rising to the head." Pitta individuals in general may have higher bilirubin levels than other body types, stimulating a...
Perfectionism is the excess focus on one's own excellence. Seeking perfection is a good thing. All things naturally seek their own perfection (Aquinas, Summa Theologiae). However, a perfectionist seeks the outward appearance of excellence...
Kapha's stability, generosity, and loving nature is visible in their facial expressions, and especially their eyes. Large eyes also imply fatty deposits behind the eyes.
Kapha individuals have large, smooth lips due to the richness of rasa dhatu, the blood plasma.
A long, thin face is a sign of Vata. Vata in general has long, thin limbs and features. We speculate this is due to their thin fluids.
Pitta individuals tend to be very balanced, even in the size of their chest.
The width of the hips bones do not change over a person life, making the hips and bones in general excellent indicators of one prakruti, or constitution. Pitta individuals have medium hip width.
Only perfectionism can satisfying Pitta's gnawing sense of hopeless and shame, experienced as burning tension in midriff / solar plexus area. Spending money on luxuries alleviates this ever present self criticism somewhat. Shame is the classic sign of...
Pitta individuals have adequate heat and high metabolism which prevents the buildup of bulk. They also have strong digestion, which nourishes their tissues, preventing the wasting one sees with Vata. The result is a finely-chiseled physique. Strong...
Oily face can indicate heat moving upward, especially when the extremities are cold. It can also indicate that sweet, Kapha thick blood is blocking circulation to the extremities.
Kapha's stability leads to acquisition of wealth. Out of balance, Kapha individuals tend to horde wealth and belongings. They have trouble letting go.
The opposite of a smooth complexion could be described as rough or textured skin. This type of complexion may feel uneven to the touch and appear bumpy, flaky, or patchy. It can be caused by dryness, clogged pores, acne, sun damage, or conditions like...
A round, wide, moon face is typical of Kapha with high cortisol and weak blood (rakta dhatu).
The width of the hips bones do not change over a person life, making the hips and bones in general excellent indicators of one prakruti, or constitution. Slender, thin hips are one of the root indicators of Vata constitution.
Kapha individuals have steady emotions, a sign of Kapha's stability. Once angered or crossed however, Kapha people take a very long time to calm down and trust a person again.
Kapha individuals take a long time to get started. They lack initiative and enthusiasm. However, once Kapha is motivated, they stay motivated for a long time and have great stamina.
Kapha individuals tend to be short and stocky. They easily gain weight. Due to thick fluids and poor circulation, limbs are short and tapering.
Eyes reflect the speed of thought. To pacify Vata, keep the eyes still. Internally, bring your attention to the front of the eyes, the back, and to the muscles in the sockets. Identify where the eye tension arises from. The darker the eye, the deeper...
Thick hair is often glossy, lustrous, and wavy. It is usually characteristic of a Kapha type individual. Thick, oily hair tends to be a sign of...
Thick, cool skin is a sign of thick blood and Kapha dosha.
Hair is related to bone and teeth health in Ayurveda. Thick, oily hair is a sign of ojas. Thin, brittle hair is a sign of depletion, or 'excess fire burning the midnight oil.' Heat rises. In a firey, Pitta individual, the heat in the head causes the...
Thin lips are constitutionally natural for Vata. Since light Vata constitutions tend to have thin skin, they often frequently have thin lips. However, thin lips may also be a sign of deficient ojas (nourishment), especially if your constitution is...
Thin, dry, cold skin is characteristic of malabsorption and indigestion in underweight Vata individuals. Thin skin has a tendency to develop wrinkles earlier. Thin skin can make you feel cold, especially when swimming. Vata people can protect and...
Vata individuals tend to be lanky due to poor digestion, malabsorption, or parasites. Vata individuals have thin fluids, which tends to make the limbs long. Kapha individuals on the other hand, tend to be short and stocky. Due to thick fluids, Kapha...
A triangular or pear shaped face is typical of Kapha. Fluids tend to sink in Kapha (here the opposite of Pitta). They also tend to have more fat. We speculate this leads to wider cheeks and neck, giving the face a pear-shaped appearance.
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalanced biocharacteristics. By eating an optimal diet that balances your biocharacteristics, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
