Determine Your Dosha

(Determine Your Body Type)

Provided by The Andrea Olivera Centre for Ayurveda: The Mother of Healing

ether air
fire water earth

Vata: Ether & Air
Pitta: Fire & Water
Kapha: Water & Earth

ELEMENTAL FOCUS QUESTIONNAIRE

There are FIVE ELEMENTS which make up everything in manifestation, which are Ether, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth (see image above). These five elements make up our bodies too. In Ayurveda, it is understood that these Five Elements naturally combine in certain combinations, resulting in Three Predominant Influences on our bodies. These are the Doshas--Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The Five Elements combine to form the Three Doshas as follows:

Vata: Ether & Air
Pitta: Fire & Water
Kapha: Water & Earth

These three Doshas influence us at every level depending on which Dosha dominates within each characteristic, from body type to thinking patterns, from energy levels to digestion. This is why, for instance, one can have a body type that is Kapha, while having a way of thinking that is Vata dominated and an energy level which is Pitta by nature. The combinations are manifold! You will have characteristics in all 3 Doshas but eventually the survey will reveal one or two doshas to be prominent. Most people can be defined broadly as being a combination of two Doshas in varying degrees.

Discover your constitution now! Evaluate yourself according to the characteristics of each dosha: Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Descriptions of and recommendations for the natures of the three Doshas can be found at the end of this questionnaire.

INSTRUCTIONS

Complete the survey honestly, perhaps with a friend or partner for an objective opinion. Calculate the number of Vata, Pitta and Kapha characteristics you have by entering ONE check in each row within the cell which best describes you.

At the end of each Area, tally the check marks under Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and place the total for each in the row for Totals along the bottom.

After going through each Area, at the very end of the questionnaire calculate a grand total for each Dosha by adding up the totals to see which Doshas dominate in you.

Evaluate the following Areas:

Physical build
Physical characteristics
Physical functions
The Mind
Lifestyle
Emotions
Mental Nature questionnairre

PHYSICAL BUILD

Type	Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Size & weight at birth	Tiny, small ,long, thin, light Challenges putting weight on	Medium, moderate Can turn fat into muscle Can gain & lose weight easily	Large Heavy, obesity Difficult to lose weight
Bone Structure	Light, small bones Prominent joints	Medium bone structure	Large, broad shoulders Big hips Heavy bone structure
Height	Tall or short	Average	Thin & sturdy or short & stocky
Total:

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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Type

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

Skin

Dark complexion,

Tans easily,

Dry, pigmentation,

Cool,

Aging

Freckles, many moles

Fair skin,

Sun burns easily,

Redness, sensitivity,

Rashes, acne
Inflammations,

Hot to warm,

Oily T-zone

Thick, pale,

Soft, smooth,

Oily, tans evenly,

Cold skin,

Glow,

Youthful

Hair

Curly, dry,

Fly away thin,

coarse, dark,

over-chemicalized, dull, black, brown

Red heads, blondes, light brown, yellow, fine, soft, fair,

Top of the head only

Lustrous,

thick, wavy,

moderate amount
of body hair,

Generally brown

Shape of face

Long, angular,

Thin

Heart-shaped,

pointed chin

Large, round,

Full

Nose

Crooked, narrow,

Small

Pointed,

Average

Rounded,

Large open nostrils

Eyes

Sunken,

Small active eyes,

Dark circles

Average,

Clear piercing,

Blue, gray, amber, green

Almond-shaped, attractive, lush eyelashes, round, chocolate brown or blue

Teeth

Irregular, protruding,

Receding gums

Medium sized

Reddish gums

Frequent infections

Absess

Big, white, strong,

Even

Hearty gums

Lips

Tight, dry

Thin

Average

Can often get cold sores

Full, pink

Attractive

Total:

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PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

Type

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

Sleep

Light,

toss & turn like a bird

Sound,

Needs regular hours like a cat

Deep, heavy

Bear-like sleep

Bowel movement

Constipation,

Hard, dry stools

Irregular movements

Diarrhea,

Loose stools,

Regular movements

Slow,

Plentiful

Heavy

Speech

Speaks fast

& informative details

Precise, clear

To the point,

Sharp

Slow, gentle,

Long chats

Sometimes monotone or dull voice

Sexual Energy

Fantasizes,

Romantic,

Quick to release,

Detached

Strong,

Burning desire

Physically active,

Intense & competitive

Slow

Long enduring

Passionate and tender

Temperature

Cold by nature,

Dislikes cold,

Likes warmth

Hot by nature,

Always warm,

Prefers cool,
well ventilated places

Cool by nature

Tolerates different climates,

Dislikes humidity

Total:

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THE MIND

Type	Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Thoughts	Concentration is short Superficial with many ideas, Quick to learn Quick to forget, More thoughts than deeds	Rational thoughts, Precise, logical, Detailed planner, Average memory, Follows through with plans	Takes time to learn, Never forgets, Slow, Good organizer
Deep Beliefs	Flexible, Goes with the latest trend, Changes beliefs easily	Fanatical, Strong opinions Debates & argues, Tries to sell beliefs	Convinced, Deep steady beliefs, Difficult to change
Way of thinking	Creative Does many projects all at once	Organized Follows step by step procedures, Takes care of one thing at a time	Prefers to follow a plan or idea, Resists change or new projects, Likes simple things,
Total:

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LIFESTYLE

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

Fashion Oriented

Business Oriented

Family Oriented

Looks for safety

Seeks adventure

Craves comfort

Attracts:

Quick, hot one night stands

Attracts:

Intense, emotionally challenging relationships

Attracts:

Passionate, secure,

'let's make lots of children' relationships

Ideal job:

Media

Spokesperson

Public Relations

artistic occupations

Ideal job:

CEO

Investment banker

Olympic athlete

Visionary

Ideal job:

Social worker

Doctor

Lumber jack

Homemaker

Madam

do-gooder

When shopping:

You are a charge-card queen

When shopping:

You are a coupon cutting fiend

When shopping:

You are a shopping- channel junky

Your fashion style is:

Trendy and versatile, fashion oriented

Your fashion style is:

Executive wear or sporty

Your fashion style is:

Casual, comfortable, loose clothing

Your Aroma choice is:

Vanilla,

Sandalwood,

lavender,

patchouli.

Your Aroma choice is:

Rose,

jasmin,

geranium,

lemon.

Your Aroma choice is:

Chamomile,

Licorice,

Eucalyptus,

Cinnamon.

Total:

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THE EMOTIONS

Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Suffers from: Fear	Suffers from: Hate	Suffers from: Apathy
Can be: Secretive Self-destructive Anxious Sneaky Nervous Dynamic Communicative Flexible	Can be: Vindictive Destructive Irritable Manipulative Angry Perceptive Caring Tolerant	Can be: Uncaring Victimized Attached Greedy Desirous Harmonious Devoted Patient
Feelings and emotions change easily	Aggressive with feelings & opinions, even when not asked	Avoids giving opinions in difficult situations
Dreams about: Flying, restless nightmares	Dreams about: Fast, colourful, passion, conflicts	Dreams about: Romantic, short dreams, often involving water
Total:	Total:	Total:

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MENTAL NATURE Questionnaire

Sensory impressions	Calm, pure	mixed	disturbed
Control of senses	good	moderate	weak
Diet	vegetarian	Some meat	Heavy meat diet
Drugs, alcohol & Stimulants	never	occasionally	frequently
Need for sleep	low	moderate	high
Sexual activity	low	moderate	high
Speech	Calm & peaceful	agitated	dull
Cleanliness	high	moderate	low
Work	selfless	For personal goals	lazy
Anger	rarely	sometimes	frequently
Fear	rarely	sometimes	frequently
Desire	little	Some	much
Pride	modest	Some ego	vain
Depression	never	sometimes	Frequently
Love	universal	personal	Lacking in love
Violent Behavior	Never	sometimes	Frequently
Attachment to money	little	some	A lot
Contentment	usually	Partly	Never
Forgiveness	Forgives easily	With effort	Holds long-term grudges
Concentration	good	moderate	poor
Will Power	strong	variable	Weak
Truthfulness	always	Most of the time	Rarely
Honesty	always	Most of the time	Rarely
Peace of mind	Generally	partly	rarely
Creativity	High	moderate	Low
Spiritual study	Daily	occasionally	Never
Mantra prayer	Daily	occasionally	Never
Meditation	Daily	Occasionally	Never
Service (community, humanitarian, environmental, devotional)	much	Some	None
Total:

GRAND TOTAL:	VATA (or Sattva)	PITTA (or Rajas)	KAPHA (or Tamas)

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Note: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas are the Three Gunas, which correspond to the Doshas

Characteristics and Recommendations for Vata, Pitta and Kapha

Vatas are LIGHT, dry, mobile, always cold, a fast thinker. Your predominant emotion is fear. You look for warmth, love and creative freedom.

Vatas should eat small meals that are hearty and warm throughout the day. Warm baths or showers are good and it is best to end the day at 10 p.m.

Low-impact exercises that rejuvenate and not exhaust are most effective and the best time to exercise is between 6 and 10 a.m.-the worst time is 2-6 p.m.

Pittas are HOT, sharp, and firey in nature. You have a quick tongue, but you are easy to forgive. As a leader and organizer you look for acknowledgement, perfection and soothing.

Pittas should limit the consumption of spicy and salty foods, alcohol and caffeine. Cool foods such as salads, cereals, vegetables, grains and beans are best suited to this body type.

Solo sports such as cycling and hiking are good for avoiding over-competitive situations. Alternatively, share accomplishment in healthy team sports. The best time to exercise is between 6 and 10 a.m. and the worst time is between 10a.m. and 2 p.m. With your hot energy avoid really hot baths and showers and drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather.

Kaphas are HEAVY, oily, kind. Like the bear type, you are always comforting. You are slow to get going but have a high endurance. You look for pleasure, comfort and indulgence.

Kaphas would do well to eat more garlic, green vegetables and spices while avoiding sugar, butter and cheese. As Kaphas love to eat it is better to eat three square meals rather than all day.

High-impact sports get their metabolism moving again. The best time to exercise is between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and the worst time is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

For Kaphas it is important to stay in company that is positive and motivating.

Information compiled from articles Andrea Olivera contributed to:
"Passage to India," FLARE Magazine, September 2000
"Vata? Pitta? Kapha?" Weekend Post

The Andrea Olivera Centre for Ayurveda - The Mother of Healing
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