Time of Day and Doshas:
Each 24 hour day cycle is divided into 6 zones, depending on the effect of which dosha is most prevalent at that time of day.
10pm – 2am: Pitta
2am – 6am: Vata
6am – 10am: Kapha
10am – 2pm: Pitta
2pm – 6pm: Vata
6pm – 10pm: Kapha
It is important to note that although clear boundaries are stated for a dosha end and a dosha beginning, these shouldn’t be considered in a very rigid manner. In reality, near the timings when doshas “change”, the effects of the dosha whose influence is reducing will slowly start tapering and the effects of the dosha who influence is going to be most prevalent next will slowly start increasing.
Seasons and Doshas:
Each 365-day annual cycle is divided into 4 (or more) seasons. Each season has a particular dosha whose effects are most pronounced during its duration.
Summer: Pitta
Fall/Early Winter: Vata
Late Winter/Spring: Kapha
Again, there is no rigid shift as seasons change, but the change is gradual and the 15 day period between seasons is when the previous season’s dosha effect gradually decreases and the next season’s dosha effect gradually increases.
Life cycle and Doshas:
Every individual’s life cycle can be roughly divided into 4 parts, depending on which dosha is most prevalent then.
Birth – 25 years: Kapha
25 years – 50 years: Pitta
50 years – 75 years: Pitta and Vata
75 years – 100 years: Vata
The following picture tries to capture the above:
Following a daily routine is essential. Depending on the dosha prevalent at a particular time of day, it might be better to indulge in a certain activity and it might not be recommended to do a certain activity. For example, around 11:30am-12:30pm, when pitta is at its peak, it is recommended to eat your biggest meal of the day. Digestion will be most optimum and the meal will be well digested as compared to any other time of the day. Likewise, it is not recommended to overheat oneself by doing excessive exercise or exposing oneself to the sun at this time of the day since the amount of heat in the body and atmosphere is already high during this time and there is a danger of overheating and aggravating pitta. Taking this a bit further, it is easy to see how the season, life cycle stage and constitution of the person can also exacerbate this e.g. 30-35 year old person with a pitta constitution overexercising at pitta time during summer. Click here to read more about the Ayurvedic recommendations for a daily routine.
Similarly, having a seasonal routine is also important. As the seasons change, the doshic influences in the atmosphere also change. So, it is important to tweak one’s diet and lifestyle based on the changing seasons. Click here to read more about the Ayurvedic recommendations for a seasonal routine.