Ayurveda has classified human beings into three mains types Vata-Pitta-Kapha to advise people how to live healthy and how to treat when one is sick. This is very unique to Ayurveda.

There are three doshas which govern the phyico-chemical and physiological activities in a human body. These three doshas are Vata (from ether and air), Pitta (from fire and an aspect of water), and Kapha (from water and earth).Individual constitution is acquired at birth and remains constant through life.

A balance among the tridosha is necessary for health. For example, the air principle kindles the bodily fire, but water is necessary to control fire, otherwise the bodily fire would burn the tissues. Vata moves Kapha and Pitta, since Kapha and Pitta are immobile. Together, the tridosha governs all metabolic activities; anabolism (Kapha), catabolism (Vata), and metabolism (Pitta). When Vata is out of balance, the metabolism will be disturbed, resulting in excess catabolism, which is the breakdown or deterioration process in the body. When anabolism is greater than catabolism, there is an increased rate of growth and repair of the organs and tissues. Excess Pitta disturbs metabolism, excess Kapha increases the rate of anabolism and excess Vata creates emaciation (catabolism).

In childhood, anabolism and the Kapha elements are predominant, since this is the time of greatest physical growth. In adulthood, metabolism and the element of Pitta are most apparent, because at this stage the body is matured and stable. In old age, catabolism and Vata are most evident, as the body begins to deteriorate.

Vata Type:

Vata type is tall or very short, non- muscular, with thin and bony limbs and has short fast steps. Skin is generally thin and cool. The hair is thin, dark, coarse and either kinky or curly. The face is usually long and angular, often with an underdeveloped chin. The neck is thin and scrawny. Nose is small and narrow. Eyes tend to be small, narrow or sunken, dark brown or gray in color, with dull luster. The mouth is small, with thin and narrow or tight lips. Teeth are irregular, protruding, or broken, set in receding gums. And while the voice is weak, low or cracked, speech is fast with interruptions.

Vata nature will be vitiated by exposure to cold, disorderliness in life, eating to much dry, frozen food, or food with bitter, pungent or astringents taste, fasting, too much travelling, too much or inappropriate exercise, suppressing natural urges. They can help themselves by oiling their skins before bathing.

Such people are restless and have weak memories. They avoid confrontation. Have active and sensitive natures and express themselves through sport and creative pursuits. Likely to be artistic and creative with a good imagination, they will sometimes overindulge in pleasures. They are sexually active, fearful, worrisome and anxious they question others. They are often dissatisfied with and unable to sustain friendships, they spend money quickly and have most of the time interrupted sleep. While sleeping they dream of flying or always moving from one place to another place.

Pitta Type

Pitta type has well developed physique with muscular limbs, he has loud, strong voice and precise, convincing speech. The skin is fair, soft, and lustrous, warm and tends to burn easily in the Sun., their skin has many moles, and a tendency to rashes. Their bodies are hot and sweaty. He has fine and soft hair and tend to grey soon. Face is heart-shaped, often with a pointed chin. They have neat, pointed, and average sized nose and matches the average sized eyes that are either light blue or light grey with an intense lustre which get red in summer or after bathing. Their mouth is of medium size with average lips and medium-sized yellowish teeth.

He vitiates Pitta when he exposes to heat, eating too much red meat, or spicy or sour foods. When taking antibiotics or Alcohol they should be very careful. They should avoid too much stress, intellectual work, Fatigue, Anger, Hate and emotions.

Such people are intelligent and have precise disposition and are focussed mind. Sharp and knife-like in anger, they are jealous and aggressive. They are articulate, learned and proud. With a developed sense of responsibility, they can take decisions and organise affairs well. Argumentative, but with a sense of humour, their selectively excellent memory makes them fast learners. Moderately passionate in their sexual pursuits, they spend moderately, usually on luxuries.

Kapha Type:

Kapha Type has a thick, broad, well-developed frame and large, long limbs go well with a pleasant, deep and resonant voice with low, slow, rhythmic speech. The skin is usually thick, oily, pale or white and cold. Plentiful, thick, wavy, lustrous and generally black hair is set on a large, rounded and full face. The neck is solid, with a near tree-trunk quality. A large, rounded nose and large, attractive, blue or light brown eyes , large mouth with big, full lips. Teeth too are big and white and set in strong gums.

Exposure to cold , eating too much sweet ,meat ,fats, cheese, milk, ice cream, yogurt, fried food, excessive use of salt will vitiate Kpha. Excessive intake of water, taking naps after meals, doing nothing will increase kapha .

Kapha type people e are calm, steady, considerate - stable, patient personalities they are slow to anger. Not easily provoked, once angry they do not calm down easily. They are honourable, true to their word and avoid lies. Loyal, forgiving and understanding, they can be lethargic, even lazy, if not driven by others. Learning may be slow but memory will be strong. Excellent in logical analysis, they take time before reaching conclusions. Long hours of deep sleep and a strong, enduring sex drive come naturally. They are content with what they have.