LEFT TO RIGHT

The friendly vata type, the cautious, shrewd pitta type, and the slow, affectionate kapha type

The three vital energies
The five basic elements that constitute all matter, the panchamahabhutas, are expressed through the tridoshas, vata, pitta and kapha, and together they work to sustain life. The tridoshas govern our entire physical structure and function. They are responsible for the simplest functions of the cell to the most complex processes in the body systems .Our physical characteristics and our emotional and mental tendencies are governed by the three doshas.

Vata is made up of the elements air and space. Vata is in charge of all motion in the body and mind. Vata governs many of the physical and mental phenomena of the nervous system.

Pitta consists of fire and water. Pitta is the agent of all transformations in the body. Chemical processes in our body including enzymes, hormones and the entire nutritional system are Pitta's domains.

Kapha is formed by water and earth. Kapha is the stabilizing influence in the body. The activities of the skeletal and anabolic system can be attributed to Kapha.

Vata, Pitta and Kapha keep the body healthy as long as they are in balance with each other. Thus the key to health and vitality is the balance of the tridoshas.