Doshas

According to Ayurveda, the key to health is in understanding our own personal body type. There are three basic constitutional types, "doshas" in Sanskrit: Vata (or V), the "air" type. Pitta (or P), the "fire" and Kapha (or K), the "water" type. Each of us has some of the characteristics of all three of these. Many of us are dominant in more than one dosha.

 Vata people are sensitive and cheerful, quick to adapt to any new situation with enthusiasm. They crave excitement and stimulation, and are often the life of the party. They are quick in thought and in movement, seem to walk a little above the ground, and can be everywhere at once. They may be spacey, lacking in concentration skills, and may not have staying power in projects they begin with zeal. Their energy level is erratic. Physically, are slight and slender. Under stress, they tend towards anxiousness and worry.  Dry skin, brittle nails and constipation can be a problem.

Pitta people are bright and brilliant, intense and intelligent with great appetites. They are very practical, doing what needs to be done with focus and determination. They tend to be ambitious and goal oriented, succeeding through sheer force of will. They are fair minded and logical, and can think through any problem step by step. They are forceful in their relationships, and communicate with directness. They tend to be organized, and their lifestyles are well paced and thought out. Physically, they are of moderate build, and usually have bright, intense eyes. Under stress, they tend towards frustration and anger, and this creates imbalances with colitis, heartburn and skin rash.

Kapha people are loving, compassionate, and caring, often choosing lives of service. They have calm, patient, and stable personalities, and happily follow a regular routine. They enjoy the peace of home, and cultivate life's comforts and pleasures. However, they have an innate strength, and work very hard at whatever is truly important to them in a stable and consistent way. They tend to be cautious, committing themselves only after deliberation, but once they have committed they devote themselves entirely. They tend to avoid change, preferring instead the predictable. They tend to move slowly, and conserve their energy. Physically, they are strong and stout. Under stress, they tend towards lethargy, and may have grief or attachment.  Imbalances can manifest through weight gain and phlegm.  

When doshas become aggravated, illness results. Each dosha has certain types of illnesses associated with it, for example, ulcers are a common Pitta concern. Also, each dosha has its own unique approach to management, suh as personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations. Knowing what our body type is, therefore, the first step toward understanding what behaviors and therapies are correct for us.

This evaluation questionnaire can help to determine your body type according to Ayurvedic principles. It aids in guiding your therapist to choose the oils and/or herbs that are the most calming and balancing for you. This is a very superficial questionnaire to learn a little about your main constitution.  A more indepth consultation is required by an Ayurvedic Practitioner to learn about your doshic imbalance.

Mind Body Self-evaluation Test

Vata Personality

( ) I usually perform activity very quickly, enthusiastic, lively by nature.

( ) I have a thin physique-I don’t gain weight very easily.

( ) I have always learned new things very quickly and forget easily.

( ) I tend to have difficulty making decisions.

( ) I tend to develop gas and become constipated easily.

( ) I become anxious or worried frequently.

( ) I tend to have cold hands and feet.

( ) I don’t tolerate cold weather as well as most people.

( ) I speak quickly; miss words and my friends think that I’m talkative.

( ) I often have difficulty falling asleep or having a sound nights sleep.

( ) I am easily excitable.

( ) I have cold, variable sexuality.

( ) I tend to be irregular in my eating and sleeping habits.

( ) My mind is very active, sometimes restless, but also very imaginative.

( ) My skin tends to be very dry, especially in winter.

( ) My energy tends to come in spurts.

( ) My moods change easily and I am somewhat emotional by nature.

( ) My characteristic gait while walking is light and quick.

Total Vata Score:_____

Pitta Personality

( ) I consider myself to be very effective in my work activities.

( ) I have medium, proportionate, toned body frame.

( ) I feel uncomfortable or become easily fatigued in hot weather- more than others.

( ) In my activities, I tend to be extremely prcise and orderly.

( ) I am strong-minded and have a somewhat forceful manner.

( ) I become impatient very easily, people consider me stubborn.

( ) I tend to perspire easily.

( ) I have a strong appetite; if I want to, I can eat large quantities.

( ) I am very regular in my bowel movements.

( ) I get angry quite easily, but then I quickly forget about it.

( )I am very fond of cold foods, such as ice cream or ice cold drinks.

( ) I am more likely to feel that a room is too hot than too cold.

( ) I don’t tolerate foods that are very hot and spicy.

( ) I am not as tolerant of disagreement as I should be.

( ) I enjoy challenges, and when I want something, I am very determined in my efforts to get it.

( ) I tend to be quite critical of others and also of myself.

( ) If I skip a meal or a meal is delayed, I become uncomfortable.

( ) I have hot intense sexuality.

( ) One or more of these characteristics describe my hair-early graying or balding, thin, straight, blond , red or sandy colored.

Total Pitta score:______

Kapha Personality

( ) I tend to gain weight easily and find it difficult to lose weight.

( ) My body frame is heavy, broad, evenly proportioned.

( ) I can easily skip a meal without difficulty.

( ) I frequently tend to get excess congestion, mucus and sinus problems.

( ) I tend to do things in a slow relaxed manner.

( ) I feel comfortable if I sleep at least eight hours daily.

( ) I am calm by nature and not easily angered.

( ) I don’t learn as quickly as some people, but I have excellent retention and a long 

     memory.

( ) I have smooth, soft skin with a somewhat pale complexion.

( ) I have a large, solid build.

( ) I have slow digestion, which makes me feel heavy after eating.

( ) I have very good stamina, physical endurance, steady energy, walk gently and

     slowly.

( ) I like to sleep more, and I feel tired even though I sleep more and am slow to move

     in my activities in the morning.

( ) I work well with good routine.

( ) I generally eat slowly and my activities are methodical.

( ) I dislike cool and damp weather, and it bothers me a lot.

( ) I have warm, enduring sexuality.

( ) My hair is thick, dark and wavy.

( ) People like to call me sweet natured, peaceful, affectionate, cool, calm minded.

Total Kapha  score____

My Mind-Body Personality is : VATA___PITTA___KAPHA___