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Sub-dosha

Last updated: December 21, 2023

What Does Sub-dosha Mean?

Within each of the three doshas of Ayurveda, there are five sub-doshas, responsible for overseeing specific actions, organs or emotions. Relative imbalance in these energetic sub-categories tends to be the root cause of illness, disease and ill-health.

According to Ayurveda, doshas are the functional energies that regulate all physiological and psychological characteristics within a person's body and mind. The three primary doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, a unique ratio of which makes up an individual's constitution (Prakriti).

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Yogapedia Explains Sub-dosha

The five sub-doshas of Vata are:

  1. Prana Vata – governs inhalation, sense perception and movement of the mind.
  2. Udana Vata – governs exhalation, speech, self-expression and movement of the diaphragm.
  3. Samana Vata – governs digestive system and movement of the small intestine.
  4. Vyana Vata – governs circulation, heart rate and movements of the joints and muscles.
  5. Apana Vata – governs downward impulses, such as urination, menstruation and elimination.

The five sub-doshas of Pitta are:

  1. Pachaka Pitta – governs digestion of food into nutrients and waste.
  2. Ranjaka Pitta – governs formation of red blood cells, white blood cells and bile.
  3. Sadhaka Pitta – governs emotions and transforms sensations into feelings. Also responsible for the ego and sense of "I".
  4. Alochaka Pitta – governs visual perception and eye health.
  5. Bharajaka Pitta – governs colour, temperature and complexion of the skin.

The five sub-doshas of Kapha are:

  1. Kledaka Kapha – governs liquefying of food in the initial stages of digestion, and hydrates cells and tissues.
  2. Avalambhaka Kapha – governs lubrication of heart and lungs.
  3. Bodhaka Kapha – governs saliva and perception of taste.
  4. Tarpaka Kapha – governs stability in the nerve cells, and responsible for sense of contentment.
  5. Shleshaka Kapha – governs lubrication of the joints and protects bones from deterioration.

During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.

To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.

Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.

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Synonyms

subdosha

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