So what is a dosha? It's explained in so many of the Ayurveda books, but put simply, there are three main doshas. The dosha is the "type" you are within the Ayurvedic system. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Most people are one or a mix of two with one more dominant. Many books and websites have little self-tests you can do, and I have done them. I don't completely trust what they tell me though. As an American, I have recreated myself a number of times. I've learned to behave in ways that are not necessarily reflective of my exact dosha, but are socially expedient. Although every test I took points me to Pitta, I consider myself provisionally Pitta until I have a consultation with a practitioner. These books really have taught me a lot already! Weight gain, mood disorders, even physical ailments are all from dosha imbalances.
According to Perfect Health, the theme of the Pitta type is "intense". I am definitely that. In balance, they are sweet, joyous, confident, and brave. If out of balance, Pittas suffer from insomnia, particularly if they are wrapped up in their work, which tends to be all-consuming to them. Also definitely me.
Your dosha determines everything- from your diet, your exercise, your daily rituals, to.. well, everything. As a PP (provisional Pitta), I read through the books looking for common ground. The one that really became apparent quickly is the reliance on routine to balance your dosha. This I can attest to. When I was in college, I saw a behavioral psychologist. She and I put together a nice routine that really helped me find peace in my daily life. Up at the same time, exercise and breakfast and bed at the same time. When my life allows me the time to create a routine, I am much happier. I sleep better, my anxiety levels are down and I am much more pleasant to be around.
I had a a perfect day- well, a perfect week really. My 40th birthday was perfect. I was balanced. It started about a month before and lasted until 2 days after my birthday. I had a great routine. A job I enjoyed. Good sleep habits, good eating habits, good exercise routine and I looked and felt amazing. Two days after my birthday, the job started to fall apart and everything else got imbalanced. I gained 40 pounds over the next year and a half. I am pursuing that state of being. I recognize that I may not feel that perfectly every day, but getting close would be amazing.
A cornerstone of Ayurveda is dinacharya - the daily routine. In an Ayurvedic life, I would be waking up and getting up before the sun. Realistically, this is going to take a long time to put into practice. I am the first one up in my house, but it is not usually before the sun in the summer. I believe that using routine is the right way to achieve that perfect balance. Of course, I can't change everything in my life at one time, so over the next couple of months - throughout summer- I will be working on creating and perfecting my daily routine. The great thing is that Dinacharya - or daily routine- is important for all doshas, so even if I am not a Pitta, I will be moving in the right direction.
Next time - Dinacharya.
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