According to Ayurveda, a holistic science of health and happiness, your individuality comes from a unique combination of three basic operating principles or doshas found in nature. Vata controls all movement in the body such as respiration, circulation, elimination and the flow of nerve impulses to and from the brain.
Pitta governs digestion and assimilation of food and liquids throughout the body.
Kapha governs protection through the mucus membranes and stability through bone structure. Your constitution determines your unique set of attributes, tendencies and personal traits. It also explains your personal needs for health and happiness, dietary requirements, types of exercise and climate. Vata types, for example, benefit from simple, nourishing food and a regular routine. Highly focused pitta types need to balance their intense schedules with more leisure time.