Kapha-Vata constitution

What is dual constitution ?

We saw in the previous articles the dominant constitutions, when we have one of the three doshas present at more than 50% in us (Prakriti Vata, Prakriti Pitta, Prakriti Kapha). However, it often happens that we have a double or mixed constitution with two main doshas. We have a major dosha between 40-50% and a secondary dosha between 30-40%. Therefore there are six possible combinations :

• Vata-Pitta

• Vata-Kapha

• Pitta-Vata

• Pitta-Kapha

• Kapha-Vata

• Kapha-Pitta

The dual constitution differs from the dominant constitution given that the two doshas will be mixed in our physical appearance, our physiology and our psychology. This constitution is called birth constitution because it is fixed and cannot be changed. It follows us throughout our life, from our birth to our death.

This is why, it should not be confused with Vikriti, the state of imbalance. It can happen that one or more doshas are in excess in the body, this imbalance is the cause of diseases. Imbalances evolve during our life according to our habits and our lifestyle.

Kapha-Vata

The Kapha-Vata constitution is composed of four elements : water and earth which form Kapha and air and space which characterize Vata. A Kapha-Vata person has these four elements in the majority in them with a greater proportion of water and earth. The Kapha dosha is more present than the Vata dosha, earth dominates over air. The image of an anxious mountain is given to describe this constitution.

A Kapha-Vata person has to follow a Kapha lifestyle while adapting it to her Vata dosha. The lifestyle has to be adapted to the season. In autumn and winter, seasons of aggravation of Vata, the lifestyle aims to pacify Vata. In spring, the season of aggravation of Kapha, lifestyle aims to pacify Kapha.

We can find the dosha Kapha in their corpulence. Kapha-Vata people have a rather round build with thinner body parts. For example, broad hips with a thin waist. Just like Kapha-dominant people, they easily store fat or water and have difficulty losing weight.

The skin is often oily with areas of dryness and thick hair tends to be dry.

This constitution has a digestive weakness. They have a manda agni, their agni (ability to digest) is slow and weak. In addition, they produce ama, toxins, because of this digestive weakness.

Just like Kapha-dominant people, they tend to store. Store at the body level but also at the mind level. Kapha-Vata people are often in a state of restraint of their emotions. They hide their emotions from others but also from themselves. Due to the second Vata dosha, they particularly store anxiety (Vata emotion). This profile represses their anxiety which can play tricks on them.

Kapha-Vata people have good resistance both mentally and physically. They do not have the fragility of people with a dominant Vata.

Unlike Vata dominant and Vata-Kapha, this constitution is more distrustful of others. They need to establish a relationship of trust with others. Without this trust, they are shy and have difficulty letting themselves go in conversation. On the other hand, once trust is established, the very talkative side of Vata resurfaces.

Just like Kapha dominant, Kapha-Vata people are quite slow and become attached to objects and people. Any detachment is synonymous with suffering for them, in fact they are afraid of abandonment (Kapha) and lack (Vata). This explains why they don’t like change. This is a big difference with Vata-Kapha people who like change.

Kapha-Vata are made up of the 4 elements : water, earth, air, space. But they lack one of the elements, that of fire. Fire represents our ability to transform whether it is information or food. One of the weaknesses of this constitution is therefore the weakness of its digestive fire.

Ayurveda doesn't establish a hierarchy between the different constitutions. There is no constitution that will be better than another. Each constitution has its strengths and weaknesses. The whole point of knowing your constitution is to be able to better understand yourself, better know your needs and be able to respond to them appropriately with an adapted lifestyle in order to improve your quality of life.

If you want to know your constitution, you can take this online test https://forms.gle/SyMR7pxuiiQqx1Vt5 or make an appointment with me.

Birth constitution, Prakriti

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