Dosha Quiz – Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Understanding of three doshas
According to Ayurveda, the first requirement for healing oneself and others is a clear understanding of three doshas. The concept of Vatta-Pitta-Kapha is a unique understanding of the human constitution. Ether, air, fire, water, and earth are five basic elements are related to hearing, touch, vision, taste, and smell. They are a foundation of the three basic principles known as tridosha. From the ether and air elements, the bodily air principle called Vata. The fire and water elements manifest together in the body as the fire principle called Pitta. The earth and water elements manifest as biological water known as Kapha. These elements Vata-Pitta-Kapha rule all the biological, psychological and physiological functions of the body, mind, and consciousness. They act as a basic constituents and protective barriers for the body in its normal physiological condition; when out of balance, they contribute to disease development.
Dosha Quiz – Vata, Pitta, Kapha
The tridosha are responsible for the appearing of natural urges and food preferences in foods; their flavors, temperature, taste and so on. They govern the creation, maintenance, and destruction of body tissue and the elimination of toxins from the body. Together, the tridosha governs all metabolic activities: anabolism (Kapha), catabolism (Vata), and metabolism (Pitta). The balance among tridosha is necessary for health. Because a balance of the above-mentioned elements and functions are responsible for natural resistance and immunity, even contagious diseases cannot affect the person who is in good health. They are also responsible for our emotions like fear, anger, greed and the highest human emotions such as compassion and love. The tridosha are the foundation of the psychosomatic existence of a man. In general, there are 7 types of constitutions :
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
- Vata-Pitta
- Pitta-Kapha
- Vata-Kapha
- Vata-Pitta-Kapha
Among these 7 general types, numerous subtle variations depend upon the percentage of Vata-Pitta-Kapha elements in the body.
Prenatal Yoga – Yes or No
Functions of tridosha
| VATA (Air and Space) |
PITTA (Fire and Water) |
KAPHA (Water and Earth) |
| Movement | Body Heat | Stability |
| Breathing | Temperature / Skin Coloration | Energy |
| Natural Urges | Digestion / Nutrition / Absorption | Lubrication |
| Transformation of Tissues | Perception | Unctuousness |
| Motor functions | Understanding | Healing |
| Sensory Functions | Hunger | Greed |
| Ungroundedness | Thirst | Attachment |
| Secretions | Intelligence | Accumulation |
| Fear | Anger | Holding |
| Emptiness | Hate | Possessiveness |
| Anxiety | Jealousy | Forgiveness and Love |
Prenatal Yoga – Yes or No
Determine your constitution
The following test will help you to determine your individual constitution.
NOTE: Please do not draw definite conclusions about yourself based on these fundamental descriptions. The determination of particular constitutional type, using the test, should serve only to draw general awareness to various areas of life, such as diet, to encourage healthy habits that will promote good health. Also, please keep in mind that distinguishing physical characteristics should always be considered within the context of your ethnicity. For example, traits like eye color, skin color, or hair type are assessed in comparison to others with a similar heritage.
| Question | VATA | PITTA | KAPHA |
| Frame | Thin | Moderate | Thick |
| Body Weight | Low | Moderate | Overweight |
| Skin | Dry / Rough / Cool / Brown / Black | Soft / Oily / Warm / Fair / Red / Yellowish | Thick / Oily / Cool / Pale / White |
| Hair | Black / Dry / Kinky | Soft / Oily / Yellow / Early Grey / Red | Thick / Oily / Wavy / Dark or light |
| Teeth | Protruded / Big and Crooked / Gums Emaciated | Moderate in size / Soft gums / Yellowish | Strong / White |
| Eyes | Small / Dull / Dry / Brown / Black | Sharp / Penetrating / Green / Gray / Yellow | Big/Attractive / Blue / Brown / Thick Eyelashes |
| Appetite | Variable / Scanty | Good / Excessive / Unbearable | Slow but steady |
| Taste | Sweet / Sour / Saline | Sweet / Bitter / Astringent | Pungent / Bitter / Astringent |
| Thirst | Variable | Excessive | Scanty |
| Elimination | Dry / Hard / Constipated | Soft / Oily / Loose | Thick / Oily / Heavy / Slow |
| Physical activity | Very active | Moderate | Lethargic |
| Mind | Restless / Active | Aggressive / Intelligent | Calm / Slow |
| Emotional Temperament |
Fearful / Insecure / Unpredictable | Aggressive / Irritable / Jealous | Calm / Greedy / Attached |
| Faith | Changeable | Fanatic | Steady |
| Memory | Recent memory good / Remote memory poor | Sharp | Slow but prolonged |
| Dreams | Fearful / Flying / Jumping / Running | Fiery / Anger / Violence / War | Watery / River / Ocean / Lake / Swimming / Romantic |
| Sleep | Scanty / Interrupted | Little but deep | Heavy / Prolonged |
| Speech | Fast | Sharp and cutting | Slow / Monotonous |
| Financial Status | Poor / Spends the money quickly on Trifles | Moderate / Spends on luxuries | Rich / Money-saver / Spends on food |
| Pulse | Thready / Feeble / Moves like a snake | Moderate / Jumping like a frog | Broad / Slow / Moves like a swan |
Prenatal Yoga – Yes or No
Vata Constitution
People of Vata constitution are generally physically underdeveloped. Their chests are flat and their veins and muscles tendons are visible. The complexion is brown, the skin is cold, rough, dry and cracked. Vata people generally are either too tall or too short with thin frames which reveal prominent joints and bone ends because of poor muscle development. The hair is wavy and scanty, the eyelashes are thin and the eyes are lusterless. The eyes may be sunken, small and dry. The nails are rough and brittle.
Physiologically the appetite and digestion are variable. Vata people crave sweet, sour and salty tastes and like hot drinks. Constipation is common. Their sleep may be disturbed and they sleep less than other types. Their hands and feet are often cold.
These people are creative, active, alert and restless. Physiologically, they have a short memory but a quick mental understanding. These people are nervous, fearful and afflicted by anxiety. Vata people tend to earn money quickly and also to spend quickly.
Excess of Vata leads to diseases of the nervous system, anxiety, nervousness, and anxiety.
Insufficient Vata leads to a decrease in mental activity, constipation, nerve degeneration.
Prenatal Yoga – Yes or No
PITTA Constitution
These people are medium height, body frame may be delicate. Their chests are not flat as those of Vata people and they show a medium prominence of veins and muscle tendons. They have many moles/freckles which are bluish or brownish-red. Muscle development is moderate. The pita complexion can be coppery, yellowish, reddish or fair. The skin is soft, warm and less wrinkled than Vata skin. The hair is thin, silky, red or brownish and there is a tendency towards early graying and hair loss. The eyes mostly bright colors and sharp. The conjunctiva is moist and copper-colored.
Physiologically, these people have a strong metabolism, good digestion and resulting good appetite. Pitta types have a natural craves for sweet, bitter and astringent tastes. Their sleep is medium duration, uninterrupted. There is a tendency for excessive perspiring. Pitta people have a good power of comprehension: they are very intelligent and sharp end tend to be good orators. They are ambitious people who generally like to be leaders. Pitta people appreciate material prosperity and they tend to be moderately well-off financially.
Excessive Pitta in the body leads to skin diseases, allergic reactions, anger, hormonal disorders, gastritis, and ulcers.
Pitta deficiency leads to poor digestion, sluggish metabolism, loss of sharpness of mind.
Prenatal Yoga – Yes or No
KAPHA constitution
Kapha people have very well developed bodies. But, there is a tendency for these individuals to carry overweight. Their chests are expanded and broad. The veins and muscle tendons are not obvious because of their thick skin, and their muscle development is good. The bones are not prominent.
Their complexions are fair and bright. Their skin is soft, lustrous and oily; it is also cold and pale. The hair is thick, dark, wavy. The eyes are dense and black or blue; the white of the eye is generally very white, large and attractive.
Physiologically, have regular appetites, the digestion function is slow. They tend to move slowly. They crave pungent, bitter and astringent tastes. Perspiration is moderate. Sleep is sound and prolonged. There is a strong vital capacity evidenced by good stamina and Kapha people are generally healthy, happy and peaceful.
Psychologically they tend to be tolerant, calm, forgiving and loving; however, they also exhibit traits of greed, attachment, envy, and possessiveness. Kapha people tend to be wealthy, they earn money and good at holding on to it.
Kapha imbalance leads to overweight, accumulation of excess mucus, allergies, diabetes.
Prenatal Yoga – Yes or No
Ayurveda teaches that each individual has the power to heal himself. Thus, the science of life offers everyone the freedom to recover health by understanding the body and its needs. Fundamental to the individual`s ability to remain healthy, according to Ayurveda is the maintenance of a sound diet and stable healthy routine. Also, it is important to the pursuit of traditional yoga practice and breathing exercises. Diet should be chosen to suit the individual constitution because it has a direct connection on Vata-Pitta-Kapha balance or disbalance.
Namaste,
Lily
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