Dual Doshas

Individuals whose constitutions reflect the influence of only one dosha are lucky in the sense that once they know themselves they know how they will react to specific stimuli. People with dual constitutions (Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha & Vata-Kapha) have personalities that are always in a sense “split”: under certain conditions, one dosha will predominate and under other circumstances the other dosha comes to the forefront. The inherent cohesion of personality that characterizes purely Vata, Pitta or Kapha people is more difficult to come by for those of us who have dual personalities, because we strive to balance the demands of two very dissimilar principles. Most individuals are dual in constitution.

It is usually best to manage a dual dosha constitution according to the season. For example, if you have a Vata-Pitta constitution, follow a Vata-decreasing regimen during cool weather and during changes of seasons. Follow a Pitta-decreasing regimen during warm weather. Here’s a chart to help make this clear:

Your Prakriti	During Seasons with	Follow this Dosha
Vata-Pitta	Cool & dry or windy weather & Change of seasons	Vata
Vata-Pitta	Warm Weather	Pitta
Pitta-Kapha	Cool, damp weather	Kapha
Pitta-Kapha	Warm weather	Pitta
Vata-Kapha	Cool & dry or windy weather & Change of seasons	Vata
Vata-Kapha	Cool, damp weather	Kapha

To learn about each of your primary doshas, click on each of their links above.

No matter what your constitution, any of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) can go out of whack. The most common way for doshas go out of whack is by increasing. They increase due to environmental, emotional or physical conditions or stresses. This brings imbalance to your constitution. Ayurveda says that, left untreated, these imbalances lead to disease.

Written by Claudia Welch; reprinted with permission.