Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago. It is based on the belief that the body, mind, and spirit are interconnected and that our health depends on maintaining a balance between them. Ayurveda identifies three primary energy forces, or doshas, that govern our physical and mental processes: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each person has a unique combination of these doshas that determines their constitution or Prakriti.
To determine your Ayurvedic constitution, take the following questionnaire. Answer each question honestly and select the answer that best describes you. At the end, tally up your scores for each dosha to determine your dominant constitution.
1. What is your body type?
a. Thin and light
b. Medium build
c. Solid and sturdy
2. How is your digestion?
a. Irregular, with occasional bloating and gas
b. Strong, but sometimes acidic or burning
c. Slow, with a tendency towards heaviness
3. How is your sleep?
a. Light and interrupted
b. Moderate, but sometimes interrupted
c. Deep and heavy
4. How is your skin?
a. Dry, rough, and prone to wrinkles
b. Soft and warm, with a tendency towards rashes or acne
c. Smooth and oily, with a tendency towards congestion
5. How is your temperament?
a. Creative, imaginative, and prone to worry
b. Intense, focused, and prone to anger or irritation
c. Calm, grounded, and prone to attachment
6. How is your energy level?
a. Erratic, with bursts of energy followed by fatigue
b. Steady, with occasional peaks and crashes
c. Consistent, with a slow and steady pace
7. How is your memory?
a. Quick and forgetful
b. Sharp and precise, but prone to frustration
c. Slow and steady, with a tendency to hold onto information
8. How is your appetite?
a. Irregular, with a tendency to skip meals
b. Strong and can eat large quantities, but prone to heartburn or acid reflux
c. Slow and steady, with a tendency to snack throughout the day
9. How is your tolerance to cold weather?
a. Easily cold, with a tendency towards dry skin and chapped lips
b. Moderate, but prone to feeling cold in extremities
c. Excellent, with a tendency towards excess sweating
10. How is your tolerance to hot weather?
a. Easily overheated, with a tendency towards excessive thirst and sweating
b. Moderate, but prone to feeling hot and uncomfortable in heat
c. Excellent, with a tendency towards feeling cold in extreme heat
Scoring:
For each question, assign yourself one point for each A answer, two points for each B answer, and three points for each C answer. Add up your scores for each dosha to determine your dominant constitution.
Vata: If your total score for Vata is 10-20, you have a dominant Vata constitution. Vata is associated with the elements of air and space, and is characterized by qualities of lightness, movement, and creativity. Vata types tend to be thin and light, with a tendency towards dry skin, anxiety, and irregular digestion.
Pitta: If your total score for Pitta is 10-20, you have a dominant Pitta constitution. Pitta is associated with the elements of fire and water, and is characterized by qualities of heat, intensity, and focus. Pitta types tend to be medium build, with a tendency towards oily skin, acid reflux, and irritability.
Kapha: If your total score for Kapha is 10-