Can you explain more about abyangha?
Abyangha is a tradition where first you shower, then you rub yourself with eight ounces of oil. You could shower again after, but I don’t do it. However, I find nobody in America will do eight ounces of oil. In India it’s cheap, so I use fine essential oils. Another step is to brush the skin, then do self massage, blessing the body and honoring it. It’s like people who use lotion, but it’s more ritualistic and helps relieve tension — what you need to let go of.

So what are the characteristics of the three different types — Vata, Pitta and Kapha?
Vata is air and ether. These people can eat anything because they’re always moving around, active, always talking, always doing many things. But they very easily forget their agendas, so they have to write everything down. But they’re also very creative and love to network, like a butterfly. They’re beautiful and talk with their hands. Because of that, so much movements, they have more digestive problems.

Pitta is type A with medium build. They’re very in charge, they like to delegate and be in control, and tend to have lighter skin, blonde or reddish hair, blue eyes. They’re very in-charge. They both gain and lose weight easily, they’re athletic and love to be outdoors, but they forget to exercise. As they get older they get a potbelly and gas. They do have strong digestive fire. But being a fire type, fire or water, either can go out of balance easily. Pitta is fire and water.

Kapha is water and earth. Think of someone who is Hawaiian or Samoan, with big features and hands. They are steady and slow and like to follow routines, they’re more laid back. They have a bit of combination — there’s a lot of loyalty or commitment to work, but they’re also airy and spacey.

What are the most important things for each type to do in their lives?
Vatas need to be sure to work in a creative environment, in and around people, or doing something artful. Pittas, because of their desire to delegate, need to be a manager or a speaker — they’re very fluid with speech. Kaphas do very well behind the scenes, helping, making things happen.
Dietarily, Vatas need to be doing grounding activities and eat grounding foods, because they need help staying on the earth. They need meditation and yoga, tai chi… more calming activities. Because their bodies are already going, they shouldn’t be doing aerobics and burning fat. Pittas can be doing sports because they love to compete, so they’re good at tennis and doing things with other people on a team. Otherwise they want to win and be in charge and be aggressive. Their diet requires cooling foods — salads with mints and cilantro. They can’t eat Thai food every day, they need calming spices like coriander and cumin — not hot peppers and spice — and a lot of fresh food and beans to keep the air cooling down. Kaphas are grounded and they look at food and gain weight, so eating light foods are better. They don’t get hungry very often, so when they eat it’s a special meal. They’re the people who need to do aerobics because they aren’t motivated. They need a Pitta to be all, “Come on, we’re going running!” Kundalini is really good for them because it burns fat quickly and puts you more in charge.

Who do you see the most of in your office?
We live in a Vata society, a society that has movement and activity. They’re troublemakers because it’s air that gets movement in the body. We are always on the go, using our cell phones, our nervous system is always stressed. Unfortunately we depend on them. I see a lot of people who have a Vata derangement. Vata Pitta is the most common. I don’t see a lot of Kaphas because they need to stay home. They don’t want to be out in the world, so people have to drag them some place. Home is very important. The environment and food are very connected, so they need nourishment and a strong constitution.