What's Your Dancer Dosha?: The Three Types

A quick disclaimer: I am a yoga instructor, and through that have training with Ayurveda, but I am not certified as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor. If you have further questions and/or are interested in going deeper here, I’ll offer what knowledge I have, but it might be wise to seek out the services of an Ayurvedic Health Counselor.

If you picture a classic cartoon trio, you'll probably have one of the three who's tall and skinny (and sort of absent-minded), one who's short and stout (with a great heart but sometimes a little pouty), and one with a thick, muscular build (who's very ambitious and maybe even wily). These three types have pervaded our collective consciousness in such ways. People as far back as thousands of years ago, in the Indus River Valley (modern day South Asia) were defining them – through Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is yoga's sister science, having grown in tandem with yoga. By and large, it seeks to guide each individual towards their greatest potential through a lifestyle that remains in alignment with the rhythms and qualities of themselves, the earth, and how they and the earth meet. Ayurveda defines three types: Vata, Kapha, and Pitta. Modern science calls these ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph. Let's look at them each in turn.

The Three Doshas

Vata is the wind: light, airy, prone to move quickly and consistently. Individuals with a lot of Vata tend to love exploration, new experiences, and creating things – all on a whim. They're attracted to travel and spontaneous fun. They're fluid, flexible, and easy-going – but are sometimes also short-sighted, impulsive, and struggle with follow-through (completing what they've started). Physically, they tend to be tall, thin, and slight of build. They're prone to dry skin.

Kapha is earth: sturdy, stable, and grounded. Those with a lot of Kapha are often dependable and empathetic (great listeners). They love creature comforts and are content with the "little things." They tend to be great friends, with their heads on straight in terms of what really matters in life – but are also prone to depression, lack of motivation, and inflexible thinking. Physically, they tend put on weight easily and have oily skin.

Pitta is fire: driven, energetic, catalytic. Those with a good deal of Pitta are ambitious, boisterous, and outgoing. They know what they want, and they go for it. They're motivated, inspiring, and highly energetic – yet can at times lash out (don't get in the way of what they want) and are sometimes over-focused on grandiose goals. Physically, they often have a very muscular build.

Your Dancer Dosha

I first want to note that when we turn this theory on ourselves, and perhaps even those who we know, it's important to keep in mind that we have all of these types within us (Ayurveda would say that, at least). Many people tend to have one or two dominant dosha(s), but some people are tri-doshic. We might have one or two imbalanced doshas, leading to imbalances in the characteristics associated with that dosha. Certain experiences or seasons in our lives can sometimes also bring out one dosha over others.

That said, why should dancers care? Personally, I think that it benefits dancers to have a wide array of tools in their wellness toolbox. We might find that some of those tools don't resonate with us or work for us, and that's fine! We can keep it in the toolbox – maybe it will work better for us later in life, or maybe it can help someone we know. Maybe it can help us understand ourselves or someone else better.

That said, overall, working in harmony with the doshas can help us reach greater balance. This theory teaches us that adding unlike with like, rather than like with like, can help us do just that.

For example, say that you're a dancer with a high level of Vata. You might need strength training to boost musculature and feel more grounded. Grounding yoga poses, such as seated postures and mild inversions like Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparati Karani), can help you feel more settled and stable – especially after a long, busy dance day! See how it feels to do more accented and grounded movement, as well!

Structures and systems – such as calendars, planners, deadlines, and formal processes – can help keep you moving towards goals and keep you accountable. Yes, you'll probably want to start yet another project rather than finish the multiple ones that you're already working on – but try to resist the urge, and instead keep an eye on your structures, systems, and deadlines.

Say that you're a dancer with a high level of Pitta. Flexibility work can help balance out your high level of musculature, and also bring a cooling, grounded sense to your body. Imagery and mantras of cooling and easefulness can balance out your fiery quality.

Perhaps you work towards letting go of your formalized hard work in some ways, such as doing something that you enjoy outside of dance one or two days a week, instead of going to class yet again. Try out some light, exploratory, and easeful choreography.

While I'd say it's less common for dancers, perhaps you have a high level of Kapha. Cardio work can energize you and help keep your weight in a healthy range. (I want to acknowledge that the dance world has opened up to more diverse body types, and that's amazing in my view! My main concern is health, wellness, and creative flourishing.)

In movement, perhaps you try out movement that's more fluid, airy, and quick. Setting up incentives to keep you motivated can be helpful for working towards your goals. Pushing yourself to try new things can help you to learn the value of spontaneity and embracing new experiences.

Stay giving, kind, and a great friend, but remember that you have needs, too. Don't forget the importance of boundaries, and that sometimes they need to shift (yes, sometimes with authority figures too!).

Applying it Further: The Three Doshas

You get the idea: adding unlike with like can help to bring balance. The point is not just to do it for the sake of doing it, but to expand what we have available to us – and to find that happy, well medium that is balance. In a place of balance, we can reach further towards our dreams – and also find more ease and joy in each day.

We can also apply the Doshas to the seasons. Fall and winter have a Vata quality: dry, cool, and airy. Starting new studio and performance seasons, or academic calendars, brings lots of different things to do and lots of running around. We can use heat and grounding activities in these seasons. Warm, hearty foods can feel great!

Spring has a Kapha quality: damp and earthy. As the summer is just around the corner, we can find ourselves counting down the weeks until breaks and struggling to stay motivated. Energizing and uplifting activities, as well as warming yet light foods (such as cooked starches and light proteins), can feel wonderful.

Summer has a Pitta quality: hot and energized. Grounding and cooling activities, like Slow Flow and Restorative yoga, can be just what we need. Cooling foods like salads and chilled fruits can hit the spot! We can feel like we only have so many weeks until fall seasons (and perhaps Nutcracker rehearsals!) start up again, and from that try to fit in as much as we can – but time for rest might very well serve us more.

So there you have it: a basic introduction to the Ayurvedic doshas, and how understanding this theory can help us feel more balanced, well, and creatively fruitful as artists and as people. Everything that I share is offered with all possible non-judgment and loving-kindness, and this is no exception!

Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, et cetera – feel free to shoot me an email at mindfulmovers5678@gmail.com. I’d love to hear if you apply any of this information, and how it went for you, if you’d like to share and feel comfortable doing so.

Wishing you all my best, always, as you continue to move, create, and work towards balance!

All photos courtesy of Canva