The Qualities of “People Who Change”: THE HUNDRED on the Importance of Understanding the Doshas
- Jul 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Why does the approach to restoring balance differ from person to person, even when the symptoms are the same? At THE HUNDRED, we view doshas not merely as a physical constitution assessment, but as a framework for understanding one’s current state and returning to one’s natural rhythm. Here, we’ll explore the essence of this concept from an Ayurvedic perspective.
Even if the symptoms are the same, the underlying causes can vary. That’s why we listen to our bodies.
Even though we use the single word “fatigue,” it can manifest in countless ways. For example, even if two people feel the same sense of fatigue, is one simply feeling physically heavy and lacking energy? Or is the other so deeply exhausted that it’s accompanied by dizziness or mental fogginess? In Ayurveda, we believe that these differences are significant.
The same applies to insomnia, listlessness, and lethargy. Since the way these discomforts manifest and how they are addressed differ depending on whether they stem from an imbalance in Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, it is crucial to identify what is happening behind the scenes. Furthermore, as mentioned in the previous chapter, “Don’t Focus on Symptoms of Discomfort; Unravel the ‘Process of Imbalance,’” the degree of fatigue also varies depending on where the accumulation of ama (undigested waste) is occurring.
That is precisely why at THE HUNDRED WELLNESS SALON, we place great importance on the pre-treatment consultation. In addition to constitutional tendencies, we carefully inquire about your physical and mental state on that particular day—including sleep quality, digestive health, stress levels, and daily energy levels. Then, during the treatment, while physically touching the body, we assess where tension is held, the state of circulation, and the individual’s unique rhythms.
What we focus on is not the symptoms themselves—such as “stiff shoulders” or “fatigue.” Rather, we look at the nature of the discomfort and where it originates. We seek to understand what the body needs at that moment.
Understanding this is the first step toward achieving balance in Ayurveda.
The Relationship Between “Constitution” and “Imbalances”
In Ayurveda, two perspectives—“Prakriti” and “Vikriti”—are used to understand the body.
Prakriti refers to a person’s inherent nature. It encompasses innate physical tendencies, thought patterns, the quality of energy, digestive capacity, and emotional characteristics—in other words, it is like the body’s “blueprint.”
On the other hand, Vikriti refers to the “imbalance of energy” occurring in the present moment. What kind of lifestyle do you lead? What kind of diet do you follow? How much are you exposed to information and stress? And how do the seasons affect you? Vikriti views the state of being temporarily out of alignment with one’s inherent balance (Prakriti)—due to the accumulation of such lifestyle habits and environmental factors—as an “imbalance.”
Therefore, it is not as simple as saying, “I’m unstable because I have a Vata constitution.” The doshas are not labels meant to define one’s personality or character. The starting point for harmonization in Ayurveda is determining what is currently in excess and what is lacking relative to a person’s innate, inborn nature.
Doshas are not meant to categorize you
The concept of doshas is essential to understanding prakriti. In Ayurveda, the human body is viewed as a balance of three vital energies: Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water).
Vata governs movement, change, the nervous system, and thought; Pitta is involved in digestion, transformation, and judgment; and Kapha is the energy that supports stability, maintenance, and nourishment.
Anyone who has ever encountered Ayurveda has likely experienced some form of “constitution type assessment” based on these doshas. However—and this is a point that is often misunderstood—doshas are not merely a means of diagnosing constitution or classifying personality.
To begin with, people are not composed of just one dosha; everyone possesses all three doshas. Furthermore, the balance among them is constantly shifting depending on the season, environment, and lifestyle.
That is precisely why at THE HUNDRED, we place greater emphasis on understanding “what is currently out of balance” rather than simply knowing “what type you are.”
Constitution is not a fixed label, but rather a map for deciphering the direction in which to restore balance based on your current state. It is precisely because of this map that you can find the approach to restoration that is right for you.
“People who change” understand their own rhythm.
In Ayurveda, it is believed that knowledge only becomes wisdom when put into practice in daily life. Simply knowing which dosha is dominant is not the goal in itself. What matters is applying that understanding to your daily choices.
Do you need rest right now, or do you need a stimulus to break through stagnation? Should you warm your body, or should you cool it down? Such judgments are possible only because you understand your own condition.
Nimral Raj Gawari, the supervising expert for THE HUNDRED, states: “Knowledge becomes wisdom only when it is put into practice in daily life. Eat mindfully, breathe with gratitude, and rest with trust. These subtle, everyday choices are the only path that will lead you back to your natural rhythm.”
Ultimately, our goal is not merely to provide temporary relief for the body. Through our treatments, we aim to decipher the body’s signals and help you rediscover your innate rhythm. We then help you carry that awareness back into your daily life, cultivating the ability to self-regulate.
True transformation occurs when the body remembers its natural state and becomes capable of maintaining that rhythm in everyday life. Those who “change” are not people with special constitutions. They are people who understand what is happening within their own bodies and can adjust their way of life in harmony with those changes.
And what THE HUNDRED does is support each person in returning to their body’s inherent rhythm of life. “Finding balance” means reactivating the intelligence that already exists within the body.
Key Points of This Article
Even if two people experience the same physical discomfort, the causes and ways to address them differ from person to person.
The doshas are not a system for classifying people, but rather a framework for understanding one’s own condition.
In Ayurveda, it is important to distinguish between “constitution (Prakriti)” and “current imbalance (Vikriti).”
At THE HUNDRED, we believe that understanding the doshas and recognizing your body’s natural rhythms is the first step toward fundamental change.
Terms Used in This Article
Prakriti:
One’s innate constitution or nature. The fundamental blueprint of the body and mind.
Vikriti:
Current imbalances caused by lifestyle habits, seasons, the environment, and other factors.
Dosha:
A collective term for the three life energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. An indicator for understanding the balance of the mind and body.
Vata:
The dosha that governs movement and change.
Pitta:
The dosha that governs digestion, metabolism, and judgment.
Kapha:
The dosha that governs stability, nourishment, and maintenance.
Why not start by understanding your “current condition”?
At THE HUNDRED, we conduct a pre-treatment consultation to carefully assess your physical and mental state on that day, as well as the effects of the season, and provide treatments tailored to each individual.
＞＞In the next issue of our journal, we’ll take a closer look at THE HUNDRED’s perspective on “eating” and “digestion.”
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