and practice, it is possible
to detect the pulse and the
strength of the pulse. For the
actual analysis and diagnosis,
you should always consult an
Ayurved practitioner.
The pulse under the index
finger denotes the vata dosha,
the middle finger denotes
pitta dosha and the ring finger
denotes the kapha dosha.
When the throbbing of the
pulse under the ring finger
is the strongest, it denotes a
kapha constitution.
To establish the actual dosha,
one will have to take into
consideration the time of the
day (according to Dincharya
clock), the season and the age.
When you practise this for the
first time, you may not find the
pulse and you may have to lift
each finger to get a feel for the
pulse sensation. For example, in the morning
between 6am - 10am the
natural body clock exhibits
kapha. If at this time a person
detects a dominant kapha
dosha, then the person is not
considered to be of kapha
constitution. In this instance
the second dominant dosha
is considered to be the
constitution.
If the person has a dominant
pitta constit ution, the pulse
under the middle finger will be
the strongest. Similarly, according to
Dincharya, pitta is dominant
between 10am - 2pm and
vata is dominant between
When vata is strong in the
constitution, the pulse under
the index finger will feel the
strongest.
2pm - 6pm. This cycle repeats
itself for the next twelve hours
at night. Hence the time of
day or night is an important
consideration.
An Ayurved Practitioner uses
the individual’s dosha analysis
to offer specifically tailored
treatment, ranging from
general lifestyle change to the
treatment of disease. For this
reason, Ayurved is considered a
system of individualised health
care, which is remarkably
different from the Western
model of ‘one-pill for all’.
Since doshas can be used to
detect imbalances before the
manifestation of a disease,
Ayurved is also considered
a system of preventative
medicine.
Air
Ether
5
Water
Elements
Fire
Earth
Qualities
of the
5 Elements
Basic Doshas
How does dosha relate to the 5
Elements?
The properties of the other doshas are dependent on vata, so
it is considered to be the primary dosha. It governs the body’s
greater life force and
gives motion to pitta and
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
kapha.
Pitta governs
metabolism and
transformations such as
digestion, taste, vision,
body heat, intelligence
and others.
Air & Space Fire & Water Water & Earth
Vata
refers to
movement
similar to air
and space Pitta governs
digestion,
heat and
metabolism Kapha
creates
stability and
tolerance
Kapha refers to the strength, structure, earth and water within
the body. This refers to bones, immune system, reproductive
system, joint lubrication etc.
35
• Vata is related to air (vayu)
and space (ether),
• Pitta relates to fire and
water, and
• Kapha relates to water and
earth
Vata governs all movement
within the body. Using its
subtle flowing motion the
body is able to perform
various physical and mental
behaviours such as breathing,
blood flow as well as thoughts
in the mind.