Ayurveda, plainly
Dosha FAQ
Vata, Pitta and Kapha — what they are, how to find yours, and what your dosha means for how you practise.
What is a dosha?
In Ayurveda, a dosha is a mind-body pattern built from the five elements. There are three — Vata (air + ether), Pitta (fire + water) and Kapha (earth + water). Everyone carries all three, but in a unique ratio that shapes your body, energy, digestion and temperament. That ratio is the lens Ayurveda uses to tailor diet, rest and movement to you.
What is Vata dosha?
Vata is air and ether — light, dry, cool, quick and mobile. Vata-dominant people tend to be slim, creative and fast-moving, with variable appetite and energy, and a tendency toward dryness, cold hands and feet, and anxiety when out of balance. Vata is soothed by warmth, oil, routine and grounding, slower practice.
What is Pitta dosha?
Pitta is fire and water — hot, sharp, intense and focused. Pitta-dominant people often have a medium, athletic build, strong digestion and appetite, and drive and ambition, tipping into frustration, heat or inflammation when overdone. Pitta is balanced by cooling, sweetness, ease and non-competitive practice.
What is Kapha dosha?
Kapha is earth and water — heavy, stable, smooth and enduring. Kapha-dominant people tend to have a solid, sturdy frame, calm steady temperament and deep sleep, and can accumulate heaviness, sluggishness or attachment when out of balance. Kapha thrives on movement, warmth, lightness and variety.
How do I find my dosha?
Answer questions about your body, energy, digestion and temperament — the pattern that has been true your whole life, not just this week. Our free 1-minute quiz gives a quick read from five markers; the full 15-question assessment in the app is more precise, and a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner can confirm it.
What is the difference between prakriti and vikriti?
Prakriti is your birth constitution — the dosha balance you were born with, stable across life. Vikriti is your current state — how your balance has shifted right now due to season, stress, diet or sleep. Ayurveda works by bringing vikriti back toward prakriti; The Sanctuary tracks both so your practice adapts week to week.
Can I have more than one dominant dosha?
Yes. Many people are dual-dosha (for example Vata-Pitta), where two doshas are close and lead together, and a few are tridoshic with all three fairly even. When your top two scores are close, the app asks tiebreaker questions to separate them.
Is the dosha quiz a medical diagnosis?
No. The quiz is an introduction to your constitution, not a medical diagnosis or treatment. Ayurveda is a wellness tradition, not a substitute for professional care — see a qualified practitioner for health concerns.
How does The Sanctuary use my dosha?
Your dosha is the lens for everything the app composes: a fresh daily yoga practice tuned to your constitution, your current energy and the time of day, plus dosha-aware food and breathwork guidance — voice-guided, in English, German and Hindi.