by Sarah Kucera

A guide to the Ayurvedic personality types, or doshas, with psychology-based advice on cultivating balance, from the author of The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook

At the core of Ayurveda is an understanding that we are all made of the same materials—the five elements of ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth—and how you look, think, and feel can be traced back to your unique proportion of these elements at any given time.

This is your dosha, the true essence of who you are.

Knowing your dosha is the key to deeper self-knowledge, easier relationships, and a happier future. In The Seven Ways of Ayurveda, you’ll discover which type fits you best.

• Vata: creator, multitasker, artist
• Pitta: perfectionist, challenger, leader
• Kapha: peacemaker, nurturer, lover
• Vata-Pitta: performer, innovator, first responder
• Pitta-Kapha: guardian, moralist, observer
• Vata-Kapha: dreamer, supporter, conversationalist
• Tri-Dosha: proficient in all trades, well-rounded

Then, you’ll identify your innate strengths (and their “shadow sides”); whether you’re out of balance (and what to do); how your unique type approaches work, love, travel, and more; and how to forge true, mutual understanding with friends and loved ones whose doshas may differ. When you know yourself better, you can take better care of yourself—and others, too.

“In The Seven Ways of Ayurveda, Sarah demystifies the doshas in a way that empowers you to self-reflect and see your innate qualities on a whole new level. This book arms you with the knowledge to tap into ancient Ayurvedic wisdom to see tangible improvements in your daily life, understand yourself on a deeper plane, and have a whole new perspective on how to bring yourself back into balance for your unique makeup.”—Cassandra Bodzak, author of Eat with Intention and Manifesting Through Meditation

“In this beautiful book, Sarah puts her arms around a vast and ancient science and offers it to us like a sweeping bouquet of nature’s delight. Because Ayurveda is a healing science, the doshas have been most fully covered in terms of identifying imbalance and what to do to restore. Sarah turns this around and looks at the doshas in their positive expression, seeing how each does at work, in life, and in love, making this a practical guide for bringing out the best in you. An easy, delightful read, it can open your world in unexpectedly radiant ways.”—Laura Plumb, Ayurveda practitioner and teacher, author of Ayurveda Cooking For Beginners

“Sarah brings a fun and delightfully playful approach to Ayurveda! This book will empower you with practical knowledge of the doshas in work, in love, and everyday life, so you can confidently care for yourself and uncover your strengths along the way. If you’re looking for a renewed relationship with your well-being, one that inspires you to know yourself and live authentically to your true nature, I highly recommend this book.”—Claire Ragozzino (Vata-Pitta), author of Living Ayurveda

“Dr. Kucera’s exceptional talent for clarity and relevance shine in this practical guide to your dosha, or blueprint for achieving optimal health. I’ve read my fair share of Ayurveda books and this one stands out because Sarah keeps a foot in beginner’s soil—she adeptly breaks down complex concepts to feel approachable and actionable to everyone. This book makes you feel deeply seen and understood, then gives you the guidance to not simply survive but thrive as your best self.”—Gina Caputo (Pitta-Kapha), E-RYT 500, health and wellness coach and founder of the Colorado School of Yoga

“Expanding the concept of ‘dosha’ beyond food lists and body types, this insightful book will serve you for a lifetime as a foundational guide for navigating your ‘inner landscape’ and approaching your tendencies, your light and shadow sides, and your relationships with compassion, curiosity, and a sense of humor. The Seven Ways of Ayurveda reminds us that we already have everything we need to thrive.”—Jennifer Kurdyla (Vata), coauthor of Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook for Women’s Wellness

“The Seven Ways of Ayurveda is a warmly written, accessible book that teaches you to use Ayurveda as a lens for self-examination. Not only does Kucera kindly guide you to greater self-knowledge, she also gives you tools to understand both yourself and others in the office, in relationships, and at various stages of life. I highly recommend it!”—Sage Rountree (Pitta), PhD, E-RYT 500, author of The Professional Yoga Teacher’s Handbook and co-owner of Carolina Yoga Company 

“Although we humans have a lot in common, we are all inherently different from each other, too. Sarah applies ancient teachings from Ayurveda to provide a whole new way to observe why we do what we do. A great read for people looking to understand themselves—and fellow humans—better!”—Heather Grzych (Vata-Kapha), Ayurveda practitioner and author of The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility

“Describing how the various doshas translate as personality types, Kucera advises how each will perform at work, school, and in relationships and suggests psychological techniques to augment one’s strengths and correct one’s imbalances… For readers interested in complementary medicine, adherents of Ayurvedic medicine, and anyone who enjoys trying self-improvement through personality typing.”—Library Journal