The Ayurvedic system, similar to Dahn Yoga principles, uses the five elements—earth, water, fire, air and metal—to symbolize and correspond to physical and spiritual processes.
Fire can refer to the digestive process, for example. Ayurveda also uses three main body or constitutional types, called doshas, which are combinations of the five elements: Kapha (earth and water), Pitta (water and fire), and Vata (air and ether).
There are many more subsets and combinations of the three main doshas, but, in general, all food or substance that we ingest has a specific dosha properties that affects each body type differently. People who often experience excessive body heat, for example, tend to be Pitta.
Here’s a short test to determine your dosha type so you can start rebalancing your body, mind and life!
10 Questions To Determine Your Dosha: Are You Vitta, Pitta or Kapha?
What is your body type?
a. Slender or thin with lean muscles
b. Medium frame with proportionate build and developed muscles
c. Large frame or stocky build
What is your skin type?
a. Rough and dry
b. Warm, ruddy or reddish colored, very sensitive
c. Moist and oily
What is your hair type?
a.Dry, brittle or frizzy
b. Thin, fine or prematurely grey
c. Thick and wavy
Which best describes your eyes and natural eye movements?
a. Smaller eyes, darting or quickly moving glances
b. Deep, penetrating gaze
c. Wide-eyed and relaxed gaze
What is your joints type?
a.Thin, pronounced, ‘cracks’ or ‘pops’ a lot
b. Loose and flexible
c. Large, solidly connected and stable
What is your body temperature?
a. Hands and feet cold and prefer warm environments
b. Warm regardless of season and prefer cooler environments
c. Can adapt to most temperatures but dislike cold and wetness
How do you handle stress?
a. Become anxious or worried
b. Become aggressive, irritable
c. Become withdrawn or depressed
How is your sleep?
a. Light sleeper, awaken easily
b. Moderately sound and need fewer than 8 hours to feel refreshed
c. Deep and long, and take a long time to wake up in the morning
What is your least favorite weather?
a. Hot
b. Damp
c. Cold
What is your body’s weight loss type?
a. Easily lose weight
b. Easily maintain weight
c. Easily gain weight
Results:
Those who answered mostly A have Vata body traits
Those who answered mostly B have Pitta body traits
Those who answered mostly C have Kapha body traits