Introduction This quiz gathers information about your basic nature—the way you were as a child and the basic patterns that have been true for most of your life. If you developed an illness in childhood or as an adult, think of how things were for you before that illness. If more than one quality is applicable in each characteristic, choose the one that applies the most.
For fairly objective physical traits, your choice will usually be obvious. Since mental traits and behavior tend to be more subjective, you should answer according to how you have felt and acted most of your life, or at least in the past few years.
Instructions Rank each characteristic with either a 5, 3, or 1. For each row, use each number one time. Each row should add up to 9. Please see the example below for guidance.
5 = Most accurately represents me 3 = Secondarily represents me 1 = Rarely represents me
Example:
Characteristics Vata Pitta Kapha
I have a medium, I am thin, lanky and I have a large, round or symmetrical build Frame 1 slender with prominent 5 with good muscle 3 stocky build. My frame Row = 9 joints and thin muscles. is broad, stout or thick. development.
LOW; I may forget to MODERATE; it is easy for HEAVY; I gain weight
Weight 3 eat or have a tendency 5 me to gain or lose weight 1 easily and have difficulty to lose weight. if I put my mind to it. losing it.
5 = Most accurately represents me 3 = Secondarily represents me 1 = Rarely represents me
Characteristics Vata Pitta Kapha
I have a medium, I am thin, lanky and I have a large, round or symmetrical build Frame slender with prominent with good muscle stocky build. My frame joints and thin muscles. is broad, stout or thick. development.
LOW; I may forget to MODERATE; it is easy for HEAVY; I gain weight
Weight eat or have a tendency me to gain or lose weight easily and have difficulty to lose weight. if I put my mind to it. losing it.
Eyes My eyes are small and I have a penetrating gaze. I have large pleasant active. eyes.
My skin is warm, reddish
Complexion My skin is dry, rough or My skin is thick, moist, in color and prone to thin. and smooth. irritation.
My hair is fine with a
My hair is dry, brittle or I have abundant, thick Hair tendency toward early frizzy. and oily hair. thinning or graying.
My joints are thin and
My joints are loose and My joints are large, well Joints prominent and have flexible. knit and padded. a tendency to crack.
I am a moderately sound I am a light sleeper My sleep is deep and sleeper, usually needing Sleep Pattern with a tendency to less than eight hours to long. I tend to awaken awaken easily. slowly in the morning. feel rested.
I am usually warm, My hands and feet are regardless of the season, I am adaptable to most Body Temperature usually cold and I prefer and prefer cooler temperatures but do warm environments. environments. not like cold, wet days.
I am lively and I am easy going and
I am purposeful and Temperament enthusiastic by nature. accepting. I like to intense. I like to convince. I like to change. support.
I become anxious I become irritable and/or I become withdrawn
Under Stress and/or worried. aggressive. and/or reclusive.
Total 0 Vata 0 Pitta 0 Kapha
Note: Each row should add up to 9. The combined Vata, Pitta and Kapha total should add up to 90. 0
Now look at your total score for each dosha (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). If one score is much higher than the others, than you are a single dosha type. However, single- dosha types are in the minority. It is much more common to be a two-dosha or bi- doshic type, where two doshas are predominant. You can look at the characteristics of the pure dosha types and arrive at a good approximation of what a bi-dosha person is like. As a rule, the physical characteristics of doshas don’t blend like colors of paint. If you combine Vata, which produces a thin build, with Kapha, which produces a heavy build, you don’t get a medium build (a build that is distinctly Pitta). What actually happens is that a Vata-Kapha type exhibits one trait or the other.
If you are a two-dosha type, you may have one dosha that is more prominent in your mind, and another that is predominant in your body—or they can be mixed in your mind and body. For example, a Pitta-Kapha type may have the heavier, solid physique of a pure Kapha type, combined with the mental intensity and drive of pure Pitta.
Finally, if your scores for each dosha are equal, you are considered a tri-doshic type in Ayurveda. The tri-doshic type is extremely rare and can be considered a gift because having a balance of the three doshas creates a sturdy constitution. If you are tri-doshic, you will tend to have a strong immune system and enjoy overall good health and longevity. However, your doshas can still go out of balance, so it’s important to cultivate a balancing lifestyle with plenty of restful sleep, exercise, daily time for meditation or inner quiet, healthy meals, time with family and friends, and work or activities that provide a sense of purpose and joy.
As you learn more about the qualities of each dosha and how they express themselves when the dosha is in balance and out of balance, you will be able to notice when an imbalance arises in your mind-body system, and take steps to restore your balance and well-being.
Vata Characteristics Vata is the principle of movement and change. It is made up of the elements of air and space. People with a predominance of the Vata dosha in their nature tend to be thin, light, and quick in their thought and action. When Vata is balanced, it generates creativity, enthusiasm, and liveliness. When Vata becomes unbalanced, it can manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, indigestion, and dry skin. Mind Routine Creative, quick, imaginative Variable, spontaneous
Body Temperament Thin, light frame Welcomes new experiences, enthusiastic, friendly, energetic Skin Dry Conversation Style Loves to talk Hair Dry Shopping Style Buy, buy, buy! Appetite Delicate, spontaneous, tendency to skip meals Stress Response Tendency to blame oneself and ask, “What did I do wrong?”
Pitta Characteristics Pitta is the principle of transformation and metabolism. It is made up of the elements of fire and water. People with a predominance of Pitta in their nature tend to have muscular bodies, penetrating minds, and a determined spirit. When Pitta is balanced, it fosters warmth, intelligence, and natural leadership. When Pitta is out of balance, it can manifest in irritability and aggressive behavior and lead to physical symptoms such as heartburn, acne, and ulcers. Mind Routine Sharp, intellectual, direct, precise, discerning Precise and organized
Body Temperament Medium build, warm, muscular Passionate, ambitious, courageous
Skin Conversation Style
Sensitive, prone to acne and flushing Speaks to convey a point
Hair Shopping Style
Tendency towards early graying or thinning Spends on luxury items
Appetite Stress Response
Strong, can eat almost anything, anytime Tendency to blame others and ask, “What did you do wrong?”
Kapha Characteristics Kapha is the principle of protection, nourishment, and stability. It is made up of the earth and water elements. People with a predominance of Kapha in their nature tend to be heavyset, with a calm, grounded demeanor and a tendency to think things through and move at a slow, measured pace. When Kapha is balanced, it creates calmness, sweetness, and loyalty. When Kapha is out of balance, it can cause weight gain, lethargy, and resistance to healthy change.
Mind Temperament Detail-orientated, steady, consistent Thoughtful, forgiving, sweet, patient, loving, content, slow-moving Body Sturdy, gains weight easily and has trouble losing it Conversation Style Simple and profound Skin Smooth, oily Shopping Style Saves Hair Thick, oily Stress Response Tendency to withdraw and say, “I don’t want to deal with it! Appetite Loves to eat but has a slow digestion
Routine Methodical and steady, resistant to change
Enjoy 10 tips for your dosha to help you thrive and maximize your wellbeing each day. Keep this guide handy and share with your friends and family for increased health all around.
Stay Cool and Collected: A Daily Balancing Routine for Pitta
1. Wake up by 6 a.m. every day. This will help you develop a good routine and ensure you get abundant, restful sleep. This is important for Pittas, who tend have trouble falling or staying asleep when they feel stressed and out of balance.
2. When you get up, drink a glass of warm water. This signals your physiology to eliminate toxins.
3. Meditate for 10 minutes, or longer if you can, letting the inner quiet set the tone for your day. Set an intention for your day—something simple such as, “Every step I take is filled with calm and ease.”
4. Massage your body with cooling and soothing oils such as coconut, sunflower, or olive.
5. Take a cool shower or bath.
6. Get dressed, choosing clothing in cooling colors such as blue, green, and silver.
7. Eat a healthy breakfast with awareness.
8. Perform your morning work and activity.
9. Leave plenty of “space” in your schedule between appointments and due dates. Pittas tend to overschedule themselves and then become stressed by the time pressure. Whenever you find yourself feeling pressured or irritated, focus your attention on taking three slow, deep breaths.
10. Enjoy a relaxed evening. Spend time with friends and family, appreciating the gifts of loving relationships.
Keep Calm and Centered: A Daily Balancing Routine for Vata
1. Wake up at the same time every day. This will help you develop a good routine and ensure you get abundant, restful sleep. This is vital for Vatas, who tend to push themselves to the point of physical or mental exhaustion.
2. When you get up, drink a glass of warm water. This signals your physiology to eliminate toxins.
3. Meditate for 10 minutes, or longer if you can, letting the inner quiet set the tone for your day. Set an intention, something simple such as, “Today I feel centered and joyful in everything I do.”
4. Massage your body with a nourishing, warming oil such as sesame or almond. You may also want to gently rub a drop of sesame oil inside your nasal passages, which have a tendency to become dry in Vata types.
5. Bathe.
6. Wear clothing made with soft fabrics in earth tones and mild pastel shades, which calm Vata types.
7. Eat a healthy breakfast with awareness.
8. Perform your morning work and activity. Focus on one thing at a time. The brain can’t actually multitask, so trying to type an email while answering a call and planning a trip will only create Vata imbalances in your mind-body system.
9. Throughout the day, drink lots of warm liquids such as hot water and herbal teas to prevent dehydration. You can prepare a fresh ginger tea by placing a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger into a pint thermos bottle and filling it with hot water.
10. Enjoy a relaxing, warm bath before bed; add a few drops of aromatic oil such as vanilla, lavender, sandalwood, or rose to the water.
Get Energized: A Daily Balancing Routine for Kapha
1. Wake up just before 6 a.m. In Ayurveda, the period between 6 and 10 a.m. is a time of increased Kapha energy, so by getting up before this Kapha period, you’ll avoid that feeling of heaviness you can get even after a good night’s sleep.
2. When you get up, drink a glass of warm water. This signals your physiology to eliminate toxins.
3. Meditate for 10 minutes, or longer if you can, letting the inner quiet set the tone for your day. Set an intention for your day—something simple such as, “I enjoy vital energy in every cell of my body.”
4. Massage your body with light, warming oils such as safflower or sunflower.
5. Bathe.
6. Wear clothing in bright colors that energize Kapha, such as yellow, orange, and red. If you don’t like wearing those colors, use them in your environment. For example, set a vase of vibrant sunflowers on your desk at work, or choose a piece of artwork that has vibrant Kapha-balancing tones.
7. Eat a healthy breakfast with awareness.
8. Perform your morning work and activity.
9. Exercise every day. Try invigorating practices such as running, bicycling,
swimming, and dancing. You don’t have to exercise for hours at a time—even 20 minutes will energize you; though, as a Kapha, you can benefit by exercising for longer periods. Aim for between 45 and 60 minutes. The most important thing is to be sure to break a sweat every day. You may also enjoy participating in competitive sports or outdoor activities that include an element of risk or excitement, such as rock climbing, sea kayaking, or white-water rafting.
10. Throughout the day, sip on warm, ginger tea, which is delicious and invigorating for Kapha.
