Glossary of Terms
Doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha): The three fundamental operating principles in our physiology. Vata is responsible for all movement in the body—circulation of blood, movement of food down the digestive tract, mental activity, etc. Pitta governs transformation and metabolism such as digestion of food and its transformation into bodily tissues, “digestion” of ideas and experiences, and more. Kapha gives solidity to the tissues, holds together different parts of the body and balances the bodily fluids.
Traditional Vedic texts associate each dosha with specific qualities. Vata is associated with cold, lightness, dryness and movement; Pitta with heat, light, sharpness and acidity; Kapha with cold, heaviness, oiliness and slowness.
Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are found everywhere in nature—wherever their qualities are present. Different foods, geographic locations, seasons, times of the day, etc. each have a predominant dosha associated with them. When a certain dosha increases in the environment it will tend to increase the same dosha in our physiology and vice versa.
Subdoshas: Each dosha has five subdivisions, which operate in specific areas of the body.