The doshas in the body represent sum of various physiological activities and physical structures. Physical doshas contribute to the overall functions of the body and brain. The doshas of the body execute and make possible every single expression of life. Therefore, when they are disturbed, imbalanced, or unregulated, they result in experience of discomfort and disease for the individuals.
Doshas in our environment can influence physical dosha. Environmental effects on dosha are of two kinds. One, the objective experience of natural elements in any given environment (i.e. weather, season, animals, plants, etc.) Second, the subjective experience caused by human or artificial elements of our environment (i.e. lighting, aroma, furniture, memory or emotional connections, people, etc.) Either of these have the capacity to influence our physiological doshas, positively or negatively. Therefore, language of doshas creates a bridge for relating how the environmental experience might affect and change the physiological experience.
Doshas by the season:
In the Pacific Northwest, the fall and winter season is associated with growing frequency of rain and windstorms. This season is most similar to the qualities of Vata dosha: Cold, high mobility and changeability, roughness, brittleness; there is also the element of Kapha dosha: Cold, dampness, heaviness (increased barometric pressure), etc. Thus, this season aggravates Vata and Kapha dosha for many. Especially, the transition from summer to fall results in arthritic aggravation, inflammatory and digestive aggravations.
Similar, aggravations can occur other seasons. Spring aggravates Kapha+Pitta. With increasing warm temperatures, blossoming of new buds and branches, there in influx of pollen. As the mucus membranes warm and open up with warming weather and exposed to the pollen, immune sensitivity is triggered. Thus, resulting in allergies and other irritations. Summer can aggravate Pitta dosha causing over heating and degeneration in the body. So, taking time for seasonal changes through cleanses and preventive lifestyle routines can keep balance and promote optimal health.
Doshas of the day:
The 24 hour day is divided by dosha predominance… Planning our daily routine activities based on our constitution and time of day therefore can promote health. Kapha pre-dominates 6am-10am and 6pm-10pm, Pitta pre-dominates 10am-2pm and 10pm-2am; Vata pre-dominates 2am-6am and 2pm-6pm. Thus, it is recommended:
- Waking by 5-6am, starting our day with spiritual practice and light exercise helps to ground the Vata dosha and causes energetic momentum to arise with the Kapha dosha. This gives the best yield of energy and high productivity for start of our day.
- As Pitta (fire) is strongest at 12pm, heartiest meal of the day between the hours of 12-1pm is most efficiently digested. This gives additional boost of energy and keep momentum through 6pm.
- As the Kapha hours start again by 6pm, metabolic activity starts to slow down and switch direction from outward focus to inward focus. We are invited to slow down and unwind for the day. Eating a relatively lighter meal by 7pm for additional energy.
- Going to sleep by 9-10pm, gives 7-8 hours of rest and restoration.
- Also, if we are resting, 10pm-2am Pitta-time promotes optimal daily detox for the body.
- From 2am-6am, the Vata takes the toxins processed through the pitta-time and moves them to the channels of elimination. These are ideally removed through urinary and bowel elimination during the late Vata/early Kapha hours between 5-8am.
Influence of people and things:
If you actively or passively interact with an individual, like a partner, a child, a boss, a parent, or a strange on the street, their dosha energy can influence your own dosha. If unchecked, our reaction to the that individual can be disruptive and aggravating to our health. Self-care through meditation and light exercise to start the day can create more mental-emotional resilience to such aggravations. Objects like type of lighting, color schemes, cleanliness, messiness, etc. can also affect our dosha energy. Therefore, spaces and objects within them must be arranged mindfully in manners that promote peace and positivity. If a space cannot be changed, morning meditation and light exercise can make the mind resilient to effects of these as well.
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