29/03/2026
What body type are you?
‘Every human being is the author of his/her own health or disease’
The approach at the heart of Ayurveda is completely aligned with that of Osteopathy and many other health care systems: The body desires healing, it wants to be well, and sends us a multitude of signals when there’s an imbalance.
This 5000 year old practice identifies 3 different body types:
• Pitta - Fire
• Vata - Air
• Kapha - Earth
The combination of these elements determines our unique type, habits, personality and predisposition to health issues. They also act as a guide for treatments, healing and recovery.
During my consultation with a practitioner, he took my pulse and asked about my health concerns.
It turns out that my body type is Pitta/fire. Pitta types need cooling, calming, grounding activities to stay in balance and reduce their predisposition to inflammation, irritability and skin conditions.
He recommended calming practices such as meditation, walks in nature, soothing sounds, regular routines, cool showers, regular massage and no night shifts
Pitta types have a strong appetite and need to avoid sour and spicy foods and increase bitter and naturally sweet foods
The recommended massage was with a light cooling oil, containing vetiver and sandalwood and for a traditional Shirodhara treatment
3 litres of hot oil was poured all over my body, massaged in using a herbal poultice and then a continuous stream of oil was slowly poured over my forehead
It has a regulatory effect on the nervous system, reduces cortisol and promotes deep relaxation
I can only describe it as totally euphoric experience!
He also recommended drinking from a copper water bottle for its anti-microbial effects and the herbal preparation ‘Triphala’ to help with calming the gut
I feel like I have only just dipped my toe into this intriguing ancient practice and I’m eager to learn more 🤓!
If you’d like to know more too, has written ‘Ayurveda’ where you can discover your body type without the need for pulse diagnoses or a consultation