Characteristics of the Pitta-Vata Dual Dosha Individual
The great elements of Pitta-Vata: Water, Fire, Air, Space.
The universal attributes of Pitta-Vata:
- Increased lightness is the prominent attribute shared by both Pitta and Vata. Lightness is underlying their structure
- Increased heat
- Increased dryness
The description of Pitta-Vata individuals below is purposefully exaggerated and extreme, to allow to truly grasp the configuration and tendencies of Pitta-Vata types. Most often only some of the characteristics are present in a Pitta-Vata person, and only rarely will someone manifest all the features described.
In Pitta-Vata individuals, the dominant feature is lightness, which is shared by both Doshas (although they are not as light as a classic Vata type). Other features in this structure are the heat which is a unique Pitta attribute and dryness which is a unique Vata attribute. The qualities of lightness, heat and dryness will be reflected in the physical and mental structure of the Pitta-Vata individual. These people are either very sharp minded Vata types or more gentle and creative Pitta types.
The dryness in these individuals manifests in prominent bones and blood vessels, dry skin, the hair also tends to dry and split, the nails tend to be dry and cracked. They usually don’t like air conditioners and tend to suffer from cold, although their skin can be warm to the touch. They sweat relatively little and have a light body odor. The heat in these individuals manifests in a warm body at the center, strong digestion, yellow urine, reddish skin and a tendency to skin rashes.
Typically, Pitta-Vata individuals tend to be thin and have light limbs, they are energetic, vigorous people, not the kind of people who know how to spend a whole day doing nothing. They think fast and a lot, speak and move quickly and can zigzag easily between several activities at the same time. They often have more than one relatively small bowl movement a day, and they are prone to headaches when they are tired, stressed, nervous, agitated, hungry, thirsty, overworked or over exposed to the sun. The air–fire combination transforms Pitta-Vata types into turbulent and frenetic people. When they are out of balance they are restless.
Their resistance to external pathogenic factors is medium-low, they will suffer from relatively minor health issues which come and go frequently. They may change fields of interest or profession often. They don’t accumulate money, much like they don’t build up body tissue. They often participate in challenging sports which exhausts them even further, but they love it.  Their need for constant stimulation makes them prone to addiction.
Pitta-Vata Individuals
When Pitta is more dominant, these people are “warm”, creative and intense. They are quick, sharp thinkers, highly perceptive, who speak fast, move swiftly and make decisions quickly. They tend to be irritated with people less intelligent than they are. They have an excellent ability to learn and “digest” new ideas and even invent them themselves. Pitta’s character makes them uncompromising and sometimes they will veer towards fanaticism and perfectionism. They are usually convinced of their righteousness and will always have the right answer, even when they don’t know it. Their Pitta character makes them judgmental critical and, impatient. There is also underlying aggression in them that can ignite when they are unbalanced. They tend to be workaholics and competitive. By the influence of Pitta, they are inclined to gray hair or baldness at an early age; metaphorically, it can be said that their sharp intellect “burns” their heads.
Vata-Pitta Individuals
The Vata influence in these individuals is expressed in creativity and artistic ability, curiosity and easily changing moods: euphoria, enthusiasm, restlessness, love of communication and knowledge, spontaneity, disorder, short memory, insecurity and non-resentfulness. The dominance of Vata in these types causes them to be moody and to move frequently between feelings of joy, creativity, talkativeness and hyperactivity, to feelings of weakness and anxiety from the world. To maintain their sense of euphoria, they are attracted to excitements and stimulants such as coffee, alcohol and cigarettes, which, of course, are not good for them and eventually lead them to exhaustion and collapse.
Balancing the Pitta-Vata Duality
Two forces operate within these individuals: the burning Fire that causes intensity, with a tendency to irritability, impatience and a “short fuse”; and the blowing Air, which distances them from the ground, leading to constant internal and external movement. The Vata and Pitta alternate within these types. When Vata increases they experience fear and anxiety. When Pitta increases they become nervous and restless. When they are out of balance and under stress, anxiety and fear are replaced by anger and aggression, and they may become overbearing. There is a constant internal conflict between Vata’s anxiousness and insecurity and Pitta’s dominance and leadership aspects. One thing is certain; they are always in motion, changing, subject to extreme fluctuations in mood and emotion.
When balanced, they combine Vata’s mental ability for originality with Pitta’s practical ability to move things ahead and become creative, active and alluring people. A positive way for them to channel their abilities is to harness their Air and Fire for the sake of spiritual development. They have well developed imaginations and like to daydream. They learn quickly, but also forget quickly. They love to impart love, but sometimes it stems from fear, a key characteristic of Vata, especially when they are out of balance. Their moving and active nature makes it easy for them to make money, but they will also spend it as easily. Because they live in the ethereal sphere of existence, they have a clear vision of reality, an ability to develop ideas, a strong tendency to engage in spirituality, and some experience clairvoyance.
Pitta-Vata types don’t like heat but their ability to tolerate the cold of winter is also limited due to their Vata. The contrast between fire and air is also reflected in their digestive ability and appetite. Their Pitta part loves to eat but their Vata does not allow them to digest too large meals. One thing is certain, they become hungry in seconds and need to eat right away! They will often like to eat fatty and heavy foods (such as creamed potatoes, pastries, cheeses, and stews) that will bring them the quality they lack the most: Kapha Dosha. Sometimes their craving for Kapha foods, when they cross the line, will cause them phlegm and mucus. The sweet taste is the best taste for them, since it balances both the Vata and Pitta.
Pitta-Vata types tend to suffer from sleep problems, are sensitive to physical pain, and have intolerance to loud noise. Their relatively dry, exposed nervous system makes them very sensitive and they tend to suffer from joint pain, physical weakness and anxiety.
Their vulnerable points are excessive heat, dryness and lightness in weight, which manifest physically in deterioration and depletion of body tissue. Both heat and dryness are tissue depleting; therefore the right lifestyle for them should contain the opposite qualities to achieve balance. Pitta-Vata types should be concerned about nourishing and grounding themselves. They should strive for stability, grounding and order in all life areas – including nutrition, sleeping hours, work, and time at home. A Kapha life partner will help these people stay grounded all year round.
Pitta Dosha increases significantly in the summer and therefore they should adjust their lifestyle to calm down Pitta. In the autumn and winter, when Vata increases, they have to adjust their lifestyle and diet to subdue their Vata Dosha, through nourishment, oil and increased warmth.
General guidelines for balancing Pitta-Vata
- Maintain a regular daily routine: regular meal times, regular rest and sleep hours, regular physical activity and regular working hours. The key to balancing the Vata-Pitta frenzy is keeping things in order
- Eat 5-6 medium meals a day. Avoid skipping meals or fasting
- Oil yourself – internally and externally. Be sure to eat oily, nutritious, and grounding foods. During summer, massage your head and feet with coconut oil before bed time, it’s excellent for deep and restful sleep. In autumn and winter, coconut oil should be replaced with sesame oil
- Avoid cold food, repetitive sandwich meals or salad dishes. Prefer warm and nutritious meals. Make sure your diet is not dry
- Prefer hot drinks or lukewarm temperature during the autumn, winter and spring. Enjoy some cooler drinks during summer, when feeling hot, drink cool and sweet drinks, but not cold or frozen. Beware of icy drinks that harm the digestive power
- Be sure to sleep 8 hours a night, going to sleep early (22:00-23:00). At least once a week go to bed really early, at 21:00
- Wear warm clothing in winter and autumn
- During summer, stay in the shade, wear a hat and linger near lakes, streams or cold wet grass. Avoid staying out in the blazing sun
- Be sure to set time aside for relaxation and relaxing activity on a daily basis, such as gentle yoga, meditation, Tai Chi or walking. Avoid energetic and over stimulating physical activity that increases Vata and Pitta.