Discover your Dosha
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by Margaret in Yoga
Ayurveda is the “science or knowledge of life.” It dates back 5,000 years to the ancient Sanskrit texts, the Vedas. Ayurveda is a system of healing and energy management that takes into consideration physical constitution, emotional nature and spiritual outlook. According to this philosophy, universal life force manifests as three different energies, or doshas.
The three doshas are: vata, pitta and kapha.
We are all made up of a unique combination of the three doshas. Although we all have some of each, most of us are more of one or two. This combination is your own personal blueprint, or prakriti (nature). As you go through life, the balance of each of the three doshas constantly fluctuates depending on your diet, your environment, the time of year, your age, and many other factors. Ayurveda can be seen as a system of energy management. As you move in and out of balance, the doshas can affect your health, energy level and your mood.
| vata | pitta | kapha | |
| ELEMENT | Air and Ether | Fire | Earth and Water |
| QUALITIES | Dry, rough, cool, mobile | Hot, light | Heavy, moist, cool, stable |
| OUT OF BALANCE | Flighty, worried, fearful | Irritable, judgmental | Lethargic, stubborn, prone to overeating |
| IN BALANCE | Creative, lively | Motivated, purposeful | Stable, thoughtful, compassionate |
| PRONE TO | Constipation, lower back pain, anxiety, joint problems | Acne, diarrhea | Sinus problems, respiratory diseases, inflammation |
Determine your dominant dosha by selecting the trait below that most applies to you. (A) responses correspond to vata, (b) to pitta, and (c) to kapha.
Height
- Tall or very short
- Medium
- Usually short, but can be tall and large
Frame
- Thin, bony, good muscles
- Moderate, developed
- Large, well-built
Weight
- Low; hard to hold weight
- Moderate
- Heavy; hard to lose weight
Skin Luster
- Dull or dusky
- Ruddy, lustrous
- White or pale
Skin Texture
- Dry, rough, thin
- Warm, oily
- Cold, damp, thick
Eyes
- Small, nervous
- Piercing, easily inflamed
- Large, white
Hair
- Dry, thin
- Thin, oily
- Thick, oily, wavy, lustrous
Teeth
- Crooked, poorly formed
- Moderate, bleeding gums
- Large, well-formed
Nails
- Rough, brittle
- Soft, pink
- Soft, white
Joints
- Stiff, crack easily
- Loose
- Firm, large
Circulation
- Poor, variable
- Good
- Moderate
Appetite
- Variable, nervous
- High, excessive
- Moderate but constant
Thirst
- Low, scanty
- High
- Moderate
Sweating
- Scanty
- Profuse but not enduring
- Low to start but profuse
Stool
- Hard or dry
- Soft, loose
- Normal
Urination
- Scanty
- Profuse, yellow
- Moderate, clear
Sensitivities
- Cold, dryness, wind
- Heat, sunlight, fire
- Cold, damp
Immune Function
- Low, variable
- Moderate, sensitive to heat
- High
Disease Tendency
- Pain, inflammation
- Fever, edema
- Congestion
Disease Type
- Nervous
- Blood, liver
- Mucous, lungs
Activity
- High, restless
- Moderate
- Low, moves slowly
Endurance
- Poor, easily exhausted
- Moderate but focused
- High
Sleep
- Poor, disturbed
- Variable
- Excessive
Dreams
- Frequent, colorful
- Moderate, romantic
- Infrequent, disturbed
Memory
- Quick but absent-minded
- Sharp, clear
- Slow but steady
Speech
- Fast, frequent
- Sharp, cutting
- Slow, melodious
Temperament
- Nervous, changeable
- Motivated
- Content, conservative
Positive Emotions
- Adaptability
- Courage
- Love
Negative Emotions
- Fear
- Anger
- Attachment
Faith
- Variable, erratic
- Strong, determined
- Steady but slow to change
Totals
- ____
- ____
- ____
Source: Yoga Journal
