#body-type

What does DOSHA mean?

Ayurveda started in ancient India 5000 years ago, Ayurveda translated into English means ‘Science of life’ it is a healthcare system that focuses on the mind-body connection. There is an understanding that every individual has different needs even if two people have the same health problem the patient must be treated with medicine that suits them as an individual. In Ayurvedic text, there is a quote that says “One man’s medicine is another man’s poison.”

If you go to an Ayurvedic practitioner they will assess you to determine your dosha so that they can get to the root of the problem and treat you the best way possible based on your Doshic needs. Dosha means mind-body type, dosha consists of five elements that are grouped in 3 doshas. The elements that form the doshas are ether, air, fire, water and earth.

The 3 different types of Doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Many people have a combination of two doshas and even though it is rare it is possible to be tri-doshic. Knowing your dosha helps you understand why you do things and why you are prone to certain health issues

Elements of the Vata Dosha

The elements of Vata are air and ether(space) vatas are known to be quite airy and dreamy, their heads are in clouds constantly coming up with new ideas. Because Vatas are a part of ether and air element they are not usually grounded to earth because they are constantly moving like the wind.

Vata are creators whose minds are so active it is easy for the come up with amazing creative ideas. When a Vata is out of balance they tend to lose interest and not finish the project they started just as quickly as they began to start a project. Vatas can be indecisive and known for changing their minds very regularly. When vatas are out of balance they find it difficult to focus and centre their minds.

Characteristics of the Vata Body-Type

Vatas generally feel cold no matter what the temperature is however people that are Vata really dislike cold environments. Unfortunately vatas are prone to suffer from poor circulation which causes them to have cold hands and feet constantly.

The physical characteristics of Vata are thin frame, small wrists, aching joints, they can be extremely tall or short, they have dry skin and hair. When Vata’s are out of balance they experience gas, bloating, insomnia, poor coordination, anxiety, forgetfulness and for vata women they are susceptible to experiencing menstrual cycle spasms. When vatas are out of balance inevitably that can put on weight and they tend to gain weight around the midsection of their body, chest and stomach area.

To balance your Vata dosha, follow a diet that is right for your dosha, Eat, Feel, Fresh written by Sahara Rose is the perfect book to guide you to eat the right foods for your dosha. Vatas need to be active to remain balanced, low-intensity workouts are best, the best exercises for vata are dancing, yoga, pilates, jumping on a rebounder, and jump-rope.

Foods that Vatas Should Stop Eating

Vatas are generally cold and dry and so they need to eat foods that counteract those qualities, foods that are warm, moist and oily. Vatas can eat many things however there are few things they must avoid vata imbalances so I put together a list of what vatas should NOT eat.

Raw Apples

Unripe Bananas

Dry Dates

Dried Fruit

Raw vegetables

Dairy made from cows

Lamb, Pork, Turkey & Venison

Palm oil, Peanut oil & Canola oil

White sugar & cane juice

Is It Wise to Choose Your Workout Based on the Instructor’s Body Type

Find out if the best programs really have the fittest teachers.

Workout instructors are the poster children for exercise classes everywhere—so is picking your exercise class based on which instructor’s body you like a decent fitness strategy? Perhaps—but you still shouldn’t bank on scoring that instructor’s physique.

That’s because a good chunk of the body-type differences you see between…

This story is being featured as part of our "Yahoo Best of 2015" series. It was originally published on January 18, 2015.

From hourglass figures, to waifs, to Bootylicious curves, popular celebrities and styles often dictate how women want to their bodies to look. But as the wise folks over at Greatist.com say, “ It also changes year over year, so the physical qualities we embrace today are often at odds with those from previous generations.” They’ve carefully examined American societal ideals over the past 100 years and created thought-provoking infographics of how the more desired women’s body types have changed over time, as well as the undergarments, diets, and exercises it takes to achieve them. Related: Can You Diet Your Way to a Celebrity Body? The website offers these words of wisdom: “if you’ve ever found yourself wishing for this actress’s waist or that singer’s legs, remember this: The media’s concept of the ideal woman’s body isn’t static.” We’d like to add one thing: You’ll be much happier making the most of what you’ve got. Take a look through the decades and lets us know what you think of society’s ever-changing ideals.

1910: The Gibson Girl

Illustrator Charles Gibson sketched a very specific, tall, corset-enhanced body shape for leading publications like LIFE magazine and Harper’s that women considered the ideal. Evelyn Nesbit, one of the woman the sketches were based on, has been dubbed the world’s first supermodel, with her soft curves and ultra-cinched in waist.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1920: The Flapper

The elongated and exaggerated hourglass figure gave way to a more petite, slim shape. With unstructured flapper dresses the biggest style of the decade, the look du jour was a flatter chest and narrow hips—ideal for drop waist-frocks. The focus also shifted to legs, as hemlines started to rise.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1930: The Soft Siren

In fashion there has been a correlation to finances and hemlines—when the stock market drops so the length of skirts and dresses. 1932 marks the advent of bra cup sizing, and B, C, and D cups slowly come back into fashion. Accentuating the natural waist, a more flattering look for the masses, returns.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1940: The Star-Spangled Girl

With World War II underway everything is more severe and aggressive, from military shoulders to pointy bullet bras. With celebrities like Lauren Bacall and Katherine Hepburn sitting pretty at 5’8” women yearned for more empowering height, as they became more important in the workplace.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1950s: The Hourglass

Back in the ‘50s, ads suggested “skinny” women take supplements like Wate-On to add pounds and curves to their more modest figures. The creation of Barbie and Playboy magazine highlighted busty ladies (even plastic ones) with teeny waists.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1960s: The Twig

Slim is in again with models like Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton as the envy of young women everywhere. Just like in the ’20, the popular attire of the times—in this case kiddie-like shift dresses—require narrower hips and a smaller bust to wear them well. With girdles getting tossed aside, women start exercising and dieting more with the advent of Weight Watchers.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1970s: The Disco Diva

With bellbottoms and jumpsuits and unforgiving polyester and spandex filling up closets this decade was about being lean, long, and strong.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1980s: The Supermodel

With jogging and aerobics considered trendy, and women like Elle MacPherson and Jane Fonda at the forefront, being fit is in and ladies seek long legs and toned arms.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

1990: The Waif

Thanks to Kate Moss and the grunge movement, the strong, sporty, supermodel look fades for a thin body type. There's a bit of backlash towards this unattainable image, with some referring to it as “heroin chic.”

Source: Yahoo Beauty

2000: The Buff Beauty

With the crop top trend persisting on the red carpet and on stage (thanks, Britney Spears), this dacade was all about perfect abs. Gisele Bundchen’s toned, tanned body becomes the envy of women everywhere and sales of spray tans soar.

Source: Yahoo Beauty

2010: The Booty Babe

From Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” to Kim Kardashian’s internet-breaking, butt-baring magazine cover, the Bootylicious look prevails. For those who feel squats aren’t enough to get their buns in shape for body-con dresses, some have even gone under the knife for Brazilian Butt Lift surgery. But if 100 years have taught us anything, this trend can and will fade, too. It’s best to embrace your natural beauty and flaunt it, loud and proud.

IF ANYONE has EVER tried to tell you that you can't/shouldn't cosplay or that your cosplay or your ability to cosplay isn't good enough because of your body-type, appearance, race, gender, etc...

They're a big bag of dicks and they don't know what they're talking about.

Your cosplay is perfect and you should continue to wear it as much as you want if it makes you happy.

AND THAT is about as basic as you can get!

A pear often becomes obsessed with whittling down her lower body by doing dozens of lunges and leg lifts. Of course you want your butt, hips, and thighs to be tight and toned. But, pears: you also want your body to be balanced, so don’t neglect what’s above the belt.