Discover Your Unique Constitution
1. Is your skin (A) dry, rough, cool or (B) slightly oily and warm or (C) pale, oily, thick and cool?
2. Are your complexion/pores generally (A) dry complexion w/very fine pores or (B) reddish complexion w/ either freckles, moles, whiteheads or reddish inflammation or (C) oily w/large and open pores prone to blackheads?
3. Is your hair (A) dry, thin and course or (B) soft, reddish, fine, w/premature greying and balding or (C) thick, dark, and abundant?
4. Are your physical movements (A) quick and bouncy (B) precise, efficient or (C) laid back, slow and smooth?
5. Do you learn (A) quickly but forget easily or (B) easily and retain well (C) slowly but remember things once learned?
6. Do you generally (A)like to learn lots of new things but fail to follow through or (B)like to initiate, lead, and follow-through on projects or (C)prefer to follow along, a good team-player
7. Is your build (A)delicate and thin w/a tendency to be underweight or (B)medium and athletic or (C)large, well formed, prone to put on weight
8. Are you sensitive to (A) cold and wind or (B)hot sunny weather or (C)cold damp weather?
9. Under stress are you more prone to (A)indecision and anxiety or (B)impatience and irritability or (C) stagnation and depression?
10. Appetite: (A)low or variable appetite (B)good/sharp hunger w/irritability if skip meals (C)slow but steady appetite, OK to skip a meal w/o feeling too uncomfortable?
11. Stools: (A)hard/dry/constipation (B)loose/several bowel movements in a day (C) pale, slow to move, heavy?
12. Are your senses (A)hypersensitive/overstimulated or (B)sharp and clear or (C)dull/foggy?
13. Is your voice and manner of speaking (A) quick, sometimes scattered or (B)assertive, persuasive, sometimes sharp or (C)slow and melodius, often quiet?
14. Do you you tend to (A) spend money swiftly (B)can save but tend to be a big spender when you see something you want (C)like to save
15. Are your dreams generally (A)anxious, about flying or falling (B)fiery, wrathful, sometimes violent (C)watery, emotional
16. Do you sleep (A)lightly and wake often (B)moderately (C) deep and long
If A was your most common answer (10 or more), you are a Vata-type. If B was, then you are predominantly Pitta. If C was, then you are a Kapha type. In many cases there is a dual dosha and in some cases tri-dosha. It all comes down to the elements. If you answered A for 8 questions, B for 5, and C for 3, you are a Vata/Pitta. This means that air and ether predominate in your constitution with fire also having a significant presence and earth and water less so. This means that Vata and Pitta Doshas will be more inclined to 'accumulate' and go out of balance, especially when influenced by factors having similar qualities. For example, if you have a lot of Vata in your constitution, ie, a lot of air and ether, then you will want to balance those out with the heavier elements of earth and water. On the other hand, if you are a Kapha/Vata (both lack fire), you will want to keep balanced by staying warm, but not too damp as that can aggravate Kapha. It is a balance and a dance of the elements, the elements in nature exist in us also. The elements in us tend to attract more of the same. Earth will attract earth. A Kapha person will want to do a lot of nothing. Air will attract air. A Vata person will love popcorn and love to jog. Fire will attract fire. A Pitta type will be attracted to competition sports and spicy foods. Ayurveda provides an understanding of the universe and our place in it that allows us to discover our unique elemental equation. It is a vast and fascinating journey.