Our Doshas, or our Ayurvedic constitutions are a combination of the 5 elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
Vata = Ether + Air
Pitta = Fire + Water
Kapha = Water + Earth
Knowing my dosha helps me to live in harmony with these innate characteristics, and I am quickly able to determine when I experience imbalance. I then use this knowledge to self-heal.