Your body type affect your physical constitution, psychology and way of thinking.
Do you know your body type?
In Ayurveda (sister science of yoga), there are three distinct Doshas, also known as “The Inherent Intelligence of the Body”, they are our natural constitution or individual “make-up“. The three Doshas are: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Ayurveda science teach us that everything is made up of 5 elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth). The combination of elements create our constitution becomes our Doshas.
This holistic approach in wellness support the implementation of natural healing with key factors to balance life force. Good nutrition and daily routine (Dinacharya) or rituals are key factors to wholeness and longevity.
What is your Dosha?
Vata spends energy. Pitta manages it. Kapha stores it.
Your body type affect your physical constitution, psychology and way of thinking. Each body type tends to get imbalanced in unique ways. Once you know your Dosha, start making small changes that will enhance your lifestyle and quality of life.
Ayurveda Test
Grab a pen and piece of paper, choose the answers that most accurately fit your body for most of your life. This test will take approximately 5 minutes.
Physique:
a.) Thin, long frame; tends to be taller than average
b.) Medium build and average height
c.) Big bones and large frame, tends to be shorter
Weight:
a.) Underweight, or at the lowest of your weight range, and thin
b.) Average weight and maintains weight at a steady level, not losing or gaining weight easily
c.) Heavier body weight and tends to gain weight easily
Skin:
a.) Dry, thin skin
b.) Red tone to complexion, sensitive skin or tends towards acne. Also, may have freckles
c.) Thick, smooth, soft skin
Eyes:
a.) Small beady eyes
b.) Intense deep penetrating eyes
c.) Large round eyes
Hair:
a.) Dry, thin hair that breaks easily
b.) Fine, soft hair
c.) Thick, coarse lustrous hair
Face:
a.) Long and narrow
b.) Angular with sharp jawline
c.) Round
Movement:
a.) Moves quickly, walks fast, always in motion
b.) Direct and deliberate in motion
c.) Moves slowly, prefers to be sedentary
Speech:
a.) Speaks quickly and talks a lot
b.) Speaks clearly and to the point
c.) Prefers to listen rather than speak
Voice:
a.) Soft pitched, hoarse voice that may crack
b.) Medium pitched voice
c.) Deep melodious voice
Sleep:
a.) Requires less sleep, 4-6 hours a day and has difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
b.) Functions well on 6-8 hours a day and goes easily in and out of sleep.
c.) Sleeps 8 or more hours and sleeps very deeply, usually not waking throughout the night
Vibe:
a.) Tends often to be anxious or nervous
b.) Aggressive, impatient and passionate
c.) Calm and easygoing
Decision-making:
a.) Very difficult to make decision and trust decisions
b.) Decisions are made very methodically and with good reason
c.) Easily makes decisions, more intuitively
Appetite:
a.) Variable. Sometimes you eat very little and other times you eat a lot
b.) Steady appetite with regular meals
c.) Not often hungry and can skip meals
Sensitivity to Weather:
a.) You dislike and sometimes cannot tolerate cold weather
b.) You prefer cooler weather and cannot tolerate the heat
c.) You can tolerate any weather but dislike the cold damp
Relationship to money:
a.) Impulsive and spend frivolously
b.) Enjoys spending on luxury items but is aware of budget
c.) Doesn’t like to spend money, saves more than average
Response to stress:
a.) You get anxious when stressed
b.) You get irritable and angry
c.) You withdraw and like to deal with emotions privately
Appetite:
a.) Variable
b.) Very strong appetite
c.) Low appetite
Bowel Movements:
a.) Tends toward constipation
b.) Easily eliminates 2-3 times a day
c.) 1 large bowel movement same time daily Results:
Mostly A answers – Vata Dosha
Mostly B answers – Pitta Dosha
Mostly C answers– Kapha Dosha
Signs of Vata imbalance:
Constipation
Dehydration
Anxiousness
Craving warmth
Frequent viral infections
Weight loss
Insomnia
Vata Balancing:
Vata especially need warming and hearty foods during fall and winter. Nourishing soups, lentils and rice, and limit too many raw foods.
Lightly steamed root vegetables
Ripe sweet fruits
Warm grains
Spices: cumin, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, cloves and black pepper
Raw honey
Sesame Oil
Signs of Pitta imbalance:
Diarrhea
Overheating, profuse sweating
Colourful, violent dreams
Excessive hunger
Frequent bacterial infections
Heartburn
Pitta Balancing Foods:
Boiled, steamed, raw vegetables
Fresh vegetable juice
Sweet seasonal fruits
Nut milk
Soupy grains: rice, wheat, barley, oats
Coconut oil
Spices: coriander, cardamom, cloves, turmeric, cumin, curry leaves, mint
Tea: fennel, chamomile, peppermint, spearmint, liquorice, red clover
Signs of Kapha imbalance:
Sluggish bowels
Procrastination
Craving warmth, spicy foods
Frequent candida
Water retention
Weight gain
Excessive sleep
Balancing Kapha:
Steamed or raw vegetables
Citrus fruits
Quinoa
Seeds
Spices: pepper, paprika, salt, garlic, basil, cloves, allspice, fennel, mustard, turmeric, cumin, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, black pepper
Tea: cinnamon, fenugreek, peppermint, raspberry
Note: For those with a double doshaor for those who are tridoshic, it’s important to listen to your body and mind (meditation) and to make decisions according to your findings. As you get to you know the basics of Ayurveda and you are in tune with yourself, you’ll know what approach to choose.
