In Ayurveda, the word “prakrita” characterizes all of Nature as a whole and the nature of the organism - the psychophysiological type of person. Determining body type is considered the first step to absolute health, as it allows for individual prevention when the disease does not yet exist, and treatment for the initial symptoms of the disease.
To identify body type, Ayurveda relies on the so-called intersection points of mind and body. Events in the mind cause a response in the body. This relationship occurs “at the junction” of consciousness and body, where thought acquires material form and the doshas (lit., “moisture”) begin to act. Doshas allow you to establish a dialogue between mind and body. An imbalance (imbalance) between the doshas is the first sign that the mind-body system is poorly coordinated. On the other hand, restoring the doshas allows this system to remain balanced and healthy.
There are three types of doshas:
1) Vata (“wind”);
2) Pitta (“bile”);
3) Kapha (“mucus”).
Doshas regulate thousands of functions, but each dosha has its own main functions in the body: Vata dosha is responsible for movement - breathing processes, blood circulation, muscle activity, nerve impulses; Pitta dosha governs metabolism, including digestion; Kapha dosha represents the structure of the body (bones, muscles, tendons, etc.) and the balance of fluids in the body. Nature (prakriti) needs all three doshas to form the human body.
According to Ayurveda, just as there are three types of doshas, there are also three main types of human body, which depend on which dosha is predominant in his body. Knowing the body type, the person himself or an Ayurveda specialist chooses the right nutrition, physical exercise, daily routine and other measures to prevent illness. Therefore, determining the type of dosha that predominates in a person is the first step to maintaining health and treating diseases.
For example, if a person belongs to the Vata type, it means that he has the most pronounced characteristic features Vata dosha, i.e. he has Vata prakriti. And with the help of nutrition that helps maintain Vata balance, you can have a balancing effect on the entire body. However, it must be borne in mind that every person has all three doshas that need to be maintained in balance. By knowing your body type, a person receives the key to complete balance. For self-determination body type Ayurveda offers the following questionnaires with signs characteristic of Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Signs of a person with Vata dosha type
1. Thin, thin physique.
2. The brush is thin, cold and dry to the touch.
3. Movements are fast, gait is easy.
4. Quick response and quick completion of any work.
5. Irregular appetite and digestive problems.
6. Tendency to increased gas formation in the intestines and constipation.
7. Despite eating normally, she does not gain weight.
8. Light, intermittent sleep, sometimes insomnia.
9. Lively imagination, quickly inspired.
10. Rapid excitability and mood swings.
11. Tendency to worry and anxiety.
12. Remembers quickly, but forgets easily.
13. Impetuosity of mental and physical manifestations, fussiness.
14. Fatigue.
15. Considered very talkative - a “ringleader.”
16. Prone to an irregular lifestyle.
17. Can feel hungry at any time.
18. Prefers warm, oily food and likes to eat heavily.
19. Does not tolerate cold well.
20. Prone to dry skin, especially in winter.
Signs of a person with Pitta dosha type
1
. Average build.
2. Medium size brush, warm to the touch.
3. Light or slightly reddish skin, often with freckles.
4. Blonde hair, early gray hair or baldness.
5. Movements are balanced, gait is normal.
6. Precision of speech, clear articulation (good speaker).
7. Performs work at an average speed.
8. Average endurance.
9. Good appetite and digestion, often thirst.
10. Feels unwell if meals are missed.
11. Sleep is normal, but may wake up from a feeling of heat and thirst.
12. Tries to be neat and organized.
13. Able to control the situation, strong-willed.
14. Easily irritated, but easy-going.
15. Sometimes he remembers new things well, sometimes with difficulty.
16. Entrepreneurial spirit, willing to take risks.
17. Very demanding of others and himself.
18. Prefers cool food and drinks.
19. Does not tolerate sun and heat well.
20. Sweats quickly.
Note to points 3 and 4: For peoples where dark skin and dark hair are the norm, other properties must be taken into account.
Signs of a person with Kapha dosha type
1. Broad-boned, strong, dense build.
2. The brush is wide, cold and wet to the touch.
3. Smooth, delicate skin, pale complexion.
4. Hair is thick, wavy, dark.
5. Movements are smooth, slow, the gait is leisurely.
6. Great physical strength.
7. Energetic and resilient.
8. Small appetite, slow digestion.
9. Eats slowly, easily, without discomfort, skips meals.
10. Finds emotional pleasure in food.
11. Prone to obesity, has difficulty losing weight.
12. Sleep is calm, sound, long.
13. Wakes up slowly, lies in bed for a long time.
14. Slowness and methodicalness in work.
15. Doesn’t lend itself well to various undertakings and takes a long time to make a decision.
16. Remembers with difficulty, but remembers well and for a long time.
17. Calm nature, slowly gets excited and irritated.
18. Gentle, patient, easily forgiving.
19. Prefers warm, dry, low-fat food.
20. Worried about wet and cool weather.
To determine which dosha a person belongs to, you need to evaluate the listed 20 signs using a five-point system:
0 — this sign absent,
1 - barely expressed,
2 - weakly expressed,
3 - moderately expressed,
4 - well expressed,
5 - strongly expressed.
Next, you should put down points that correspond to a specific person.
Then you need to add up the points for the Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas and compare the doshas by the sum of the points.
If the sum of one dosha is 15-20 points higher than the nearest one, it means that it predominates - the person belongs to the monodosha type.
If the sums of the points of two doshas are approximately equal (the difference is less than 15 points), then the person belongs to the bidosha type, for example, Vata-Pitta; if the sum of Vata points is greater than Pitta, or Pitta-Vata in the opposite case.
Most people are dual-voiced, but with a predominant dosha. If all three doshas are approximately equal, then this rare type with a triple dosha - a sign of balance of the doshas. Ayurveda claims that this body type ensures excellent health.
Thus there are 10 Ayurvedic types bodies: 3 - single-aroused, 6 - two-amous and 1 - three-amous. In addition, the doshas are divided into many subdoshas with different locations and functions in the body. Therefore, when determining the origin of a disease, an Ayurvedic specialist studies both doshas and subdoshas.
Doshas are invisible. They control all processes in the body, but do not have a physical embodiment, although they can increase and decrease. Doshas seem to lie in the border area between consciousness and body. The three doshas always interact. For example, after spicy food, Pitta (hot dosha) increases, and cold doshas - Vata and Kapha - decrease. A sip of cold water reduces Pitta but excites Vata and Kapha. The doshas are balanced if they are in a state of dynamic equilibrium. To achieve it, Ayurveda points to 25 properties, or gunas, natural qualities that characterize each dosha. Below are the main properties (gunas) of the three doshas.
Vata is cold, mobile, fast, dry, rough. Thus, “rough” means rough skin and coarse hair, “cold” leads to cold hands and feet, intolerance to cold climates.
Pitta is hot, harsh, moist, foul-smelling. Thus, “sharp” leads to quick wits, fast speech, or strong emphasis. gastric juice, “foul-smelling” - to an unpleasant odor from the mouth or body due to excess Pitta.
Kapha is heavy, sweet, smooth, soft, slow. So, “sweet” leads to the fact that with excessive consumption of sugar, obesity and diabetes begin (note that sugar does not directly cause diabetes).
Why is Vata “dry”, Pitta “hot” and Kapha “heavy”? For Ayurveda, the answer is simple and lies in the five elements of Nature - space (ether), air, fire, water and earth. The doshas are made up of these elements, each of which contains “something of matter and energy”: Vata - from space and air, Pitta - from fire and water, Kapha - from earth and water. For example, a Kapha person is usually warm, feels “fire” in the body, and has a tendency to sweat and edema. “Fire” is energetic and active, just like Pitta itself.
The general principles of a balanced diet underlie the choice of a diet that corresponds to a person’s doshas. At the same time, Ayurveda recommends following a diet that balances the predominant dosha. For example, Vata type people should follow a diet that pacifies Vata. This also applies to representatives of the Vata-Pitta type, although if necessary they can use nutrition for Pitta (in hot weather or when there are signs of an aggravation of this dosha). When in doubt about which of the two doshas to pacify, you need to consider which of your favorite foods makes you feel healthy and balanced. This will point you in the direction of proper nutrition. The rarest representatives of the three dosha type can follow any Ayurvedic nutrition options, but taking into account their own instincts, the season of the year and their state of health.
Foods that calm Vata dosha
Salty, sour and sweet tastes, food that brings peace and satisfaction are favorable for Vata. Vata is a cold and dry dosha. Therefore, it is calmed by warm and nutritious food, common in winter. Foods preferred in summer (cold salads and drinks, fresh vegetables and herbs) are not very suitable for this dosha. Vata type people often have unstable digestion and benefit from soft, easily digestible foods.
What is recommended to calm Vata dosha
Milk, cream, butter, hot soups, cereals, casseroles, flour dishes, well-stewed meat, freshly baked bread. A hearty breakfast, for example, rice or wheat porridge, as well as everything warm, dairy and sweet. When Vata often experiences a loss of energy at the end of the working day, hot tea with cookies or other sweets helps. Herbal tea is desirable, as regular tea can disturb Vata. Spicy food. The best spice for Vata is ginger, which promotes digestion. Cinnamon, cardamom and other sweet spices increase appetite, which is often reduced in Vata type people. Sweet taste is good for Vata, but sugar in its pure form causes an excessive surge of energy. The most beneficial for Vata are warm milk with a small addition of sugar and honey, sugary foods in combination with milk. Salted nuts are better than other dry and salty snacks; almonds and tahine, a paste made from sesame seeds, are recommended. To improve digestion, crushed nuts are desirable. Cold and light food increases Vata, so salads should be at room temperature and seasoned with vegetable oil. Boiled vegetables are better than raw ones, and when cooked with the addition of oil, “unhealthy” vegetables will become more acceptable to Vata. You can have a drink before lunch in small sips cup warm water. Instead of salad, it is better to eat hot soup; Bread, butter and warm dessert are acceptable. Hot porridge for lunch is a healthy meal for people with Vata aggravation. Sweet fruits and berries. Unripe, highly astringent fruits should be avoided. Apples and pears (astringent taste) require baking or boiling. Before going to bed, it is useful to drink a glass of warm milk and limit yourself to this food. Drinking lassi will rid the body of excess Vata. Recipe for making the drink: mix half a cup of kefir and water, add a pinch of chopped ginger, salt or cumin.
Characteristics of products for Vata dosha
Vegetables and mushrooms
Favorable: beets, carrots, cucumbers, turnips, green beans, onions and garlic (not fresh), radishes.
Limit or avoid: all types of cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, peas, peppers, eggplants, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms. These vegetables, except cabbage, can be consumed after boiling with oil. Fresh vegetables are not recommended at all.
Fruits and berries
Favorable: apricots, cherries, grapes, plums, peaches, bananas, mangoes, pineapples, oranges, dates, figs, watermelons (ripe and sweet only).
Limit or avoid: apples, pears, pomegranates, cranberries (more suitable when cooked). Dried fruits and unripe fruits.
Cereals and legumes
Favorable: rice, wheat, oats, beans, pink lentils.
Limit or avoid: barley, buckwheat, millet, rye, corn, dry oat flakes.
Nuts and seeds
All are suitable small quantity.
Dairy products
All are suitable.
Meat and seafood
Favorable: chickens, turkey poults, seafood (all in small quantities).
Limit or avoid: animal meat.
Vegetable oils
All are suitable.
Sugary products
Anything is good, but sugar in small quantities.
Herbs and spices
Favorable: almost everything in moderation, especially sweet and warming ones - cloves, anise, bay leaf, basil, black pepper, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cilantro - green shoots of coriander, tarragon, mustard.
Limit or avoid: bitter and astringent - saffron, turmeric, coriander seeds.
Foods that Calm Pitta Dota
Foods that are favorable for Pitta are cold or warm, but not hot, moderately heavy, and taste bitter, sweet or astringent. Pitta people usually have good digestion, they can eat a little of everything and do not need to overdo different diets. But they should not constantly eat a lot of salty, sour and spicy foods, and also overeat, which they tend to do. Pitta is a hot dosha and therefore prefers cold foods. People of this type are recommended to eat foods with a bitter and astringent taste, especially salads and vegetables. Excess salt and sugar is undesirable.
What is recommended to calm Pitta dosha
Cooling food (especially in summer) with low salt, spices and oil content. Salads balance Pitta; Milk and ice cream are also good for her. Avoid pickles, kefir, sour cream, cheese, coffee, as excess Pitta increases acidity in the body. Lemon juice is used instead of vinegar. □ For breakfast, cold porridge, cinnamon bread, apple juice or herbal tea with mint. A vegetarian diet or a predominance of milk, grains and vegetables in the diet benefits Pitta more than other doshas. □ Avoid fried, fatty, hot, salty and heavy foods, especially fatty meat. Starch-rich foods (many grains and legumes, potatoes) satisfy Pitta and counteract overeating under stress. For lunch, you can drink a glass of cold water, eat salad instead of hot soup, bread with a little butter, and skip dessert. Pitta accepts lightly salted, but not too bland food well. Salt should be used when cooking, not during meals. Salty snacks, as well as salty and sour foods, are undesirable. industrial production. Remedy for reducing aggravated Pitta: stir two teaspoons of ghee in a glass of warm milk and drink instead of breakfast or dinner, as well as after a light dinner.
Characteristics of products for Pitta dosha
Vegetables and mushrooms
Favorable:different types cabbage, asparagus, cucumbers, leafy vegetables, green beans and peas, potatoes, dill, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms.
Limit or avoid: beets, carrots, eggplants, tomatoes, spinach, radishes, onions, garlic, capsicums.
Fruits and vegetables
Favorable: apples, cherries, figs, grapes, pears, oranges, mangoes, pineapples, plums, watermelons, prunes, raisins.
Limit or avoid: apricots, peaches, bananas, grapefruits, cranberries and other berries. All unripe fruits and berries, as well as sour ones.
Cereals and legumes
Favorable: barley, oats, wheat, white rice, beans, soy, chickpeas.
Limit or avoid: millet, rye, brown rice, corn, lentils.
Nuts and seeds Favorable: coconuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Limit or avoid: all except those mentioned.
Dairy and eggs
Favorable: milk, butter and ghee, ice cream, egg white.
Limit or avoid: buttermilk, kefir, sour cream, cheese, egg yolk.
Foods that calm Kapha dosha
Kanxa favors warm, light, dry (cooked with little water) and stimulating foods, pungent, bitter and astringent tastes, minimal amounts of fat and sugar. Kapha is a slow-moving dosha, and it is difficult to determine cravings for any food. But over time, people of this type lose balance, overeating sweet, fatty and salty foods. Preference should be given to everything light - a modest breakfast and dinner, lightly boiled or fried food, fresh vegetables and fruits. Spicy foods improve digestion and warm the body, while bitter and astringent foods help curb appetite in Kapha people.
What is recommended to calm Kapha dosha
Hot food that can “warm” the cold digestion of people of the Kapha type. □ Dishes prepared without water - baked, pan-fried or grilled. To improve appetite before meals, it is advisable to eat bitter and spicy foods (lettuce, chicory, cumin, turmeric, sesame seeds, etc.) instead of sour and salty foods. Every dish should contain bitter and astringent tastes. Inclusion of herbs, spices and seasonings in the diet. Hot and spicy foods are especially important in winter, when they compensate for the cold and dampness that irritates Kapha. 1 Breakfast should invigorate, not fill, Kapha people. It is enough to drink coffee or bitter cocoa in the morning and eat light, hot or Kapha-reducing food, for example, buckwheat pancakes with a little honey. If you have no appetite in the morning, you can skip breakfast. For a morning feeling of stagnation in the body (a sign of excess Kapha), honey, hot water, lemon juice and especially hot ginger tea. Periodic weekly diets with sugar restriction; let's say honey (one tablespoon per day), which can be diluted in hot water. Fresh fruits, vegetables and salads, although Ayurveda prefers processed foods heat treatment. Skimmed boiled milk and minimum quantity other dairy products. When Kapha is out of balance, an addiction to milk, milkshakes, and ice cream occurs. This food is not good for people of this type. good lungs dinner consists of steamed vegetables, lightly seasoned with ghee. Heavily fried foods are not recommended as they aggravate Kapha. Hot or warm water is advisable before meals. Too fatty, salty and sweet foods are sharply limited.
Characteristics of products for Kapha dosha
Vegetables and mushrooms
Favorable: almost all vegetables, including different types of cabbage, potatoes, beets, carrots, eggplants, peppers, radishes, spinach, onions, garlic, peas, green leafy vegetables, mushrooms.
Limit or avoid: cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini.
Fruits and berries
Favorable: apples, pears, pomegranates, apricots, cranberries, all dried fruits.
Limit or avoid: watermelons, oranges, grapefruits, peaches, plums, grapes, bananas, dates, figs, mangoes, pineapples, sweet and very juicy fruits.
Cereals and legumes Favorable: rye, buckwheat, corn, barley, millet, most legumes.
Limit or avoid: rice, wheat, oats (allowed only in small quantities), beans, soybeans.
Nuts and seeds
Favorable: sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Limit or avoid: all except those mentioned.
Dairy and eggs
Favorable: skim milk, whole milk - in small quantities, eggs (unfried).
Limit or avoid: all except those mentioned.
Meat and seafood
Favorable: chicken, turkey, shrimp (all in small quantities).
Limit or avoid: animal meat, seafood.
Vegetable oils Favorable: sunflower, corn (in small quantities). Limit or avoid: all except those mentioned.
Sugary products
Favorable: unheated honey
Limit or avoid: everything except honey.
Herbs and spices
Favorable: everything, but especially ginger.
Limit or avoid: table salt
.
According to Ayurveda, cycles alternate throughout the day, 4 hours each. Every person has “leading cycles”. Day after day, two waves of change (two periods) pass, each of which carries a cycle of Kapha (rest), then Pitta (energetic activity) and Vata ( motor activity). These cycles last from sunrise to sunset and resume from sunset to dawn, and are associated primarily with solar activity.
1st period: from 6 to 10 o'clock - Kapha, from 10 to 14 o'clock - Pitta, from 14 to 18 o'clock - Vata.
2nd period: from 18 to 22 o'clock - Kapha, from 22 to 2 o'clock - Pitta, from 2 to 6 o'clock - Vata.
Given these cycles, the following is recommended. Get up during the Vata cycle (motor activity, highest performance), i.e. a little earlier than 6 am. Drink a glass of warm water to help with bowel movements; brush your teeth and tongue. If the tongue is coated (presence of ama from poor nutrition the day before or from imbalance of the doshas), rinse your mouth with sesame oil. After a massage with sesame oil and a bath with warm water— physical exercises (yoga poses, etc.) and transcendental meditation; breakfast taking into account nutrition to balance the doshas or only fruits. Half an hour walk.
During the height of Pitta cycle (12-13 hours), when the “digestive fire” (agni) is strongest, lunch, which includes the main part of the diet; Starchy foods with vegetables are desirable, providing the necessary energy; drink warm or not so warm cold water. After eating, sit at the table for a few minutes, or lie down, or take a short walk.
During the cycle of the end of Vata and the beginning of Kapha (18-19 hours) - a light dinner. The sun decreases at this time and agni decreases. For many, hot porridge, bread, fruit and herbal tea are enough; A little protein food is acceptable. Cheese, kefir, sour cream (fermentation products) and meat are not recommended. Behave after dinner the same way as after lunch. Go to bed early, but not earlier than 3 hours after dinner.
Nutrition also depends on the season of the year and the weather to which the doshas react. Cold, dry weather coupled with wind promotes the accumulation of Vata. Hot weather increases Pitta, especially when it is damp. Cold, rainy weather or snow accumulates Kapha. The word "accumulates" means strong reaction doshas with possible occurrence its imbalance.
The main annual cycles are combined with the doshas. Ayurveda divides the year into three seasons: Kapha season (spring) - from mid-March to mid-June, Pitta season (summer and early autumn) - from mid-June to mid-October, Vata season ( late autumn and winter) - from mid-October to mid-March. These seasons are approximate and must be correlated with local conditions.
During the Kapha season, light, dry foods are preferred, less fatty than in other seasons. The consumption of “heavy” dairy products (cheese, kefir, ice cream) should be reduced, as they irritate Kapha. You should eat hot food, drink warm drinks, eat more foods with bitter, pungent and astringent tastes and less with sour, sweet and salty tastes.
During Pitta season, agni usually weakens in hot weather and appetite decreases. Cold food is recommended more liquid, cool but not ice-cold drinks. Don't overeat. You should eat more food with bitter, sweet and astringent tastes and less with sour, salty and pungent tastes.
During the Vata season, the appetite increases. Warm drinks and well-cooked hot food, heavier and fattier than in other seasons of the year, are preferred. You need to eat more sweet, sour and salty foods and less - with bitter, astringent and pungent tastes.
According to Ayurveda, one must be especially vigilant regarding nutrition in the season with which a person’s dosha is combined: summer for Pitta, winter for Vata, spring for Kapha.
When two doshas are combined, each of them must be balanced at the onset of the corresponding season. For example, people of the Vata-Pitta type need to follow a diet that soothes late autumn and early winter (Vata season), and in summer (Pitta season) - calming Pitta. In spring (Kapha season), you need to combine the diet recommended for Vata with the diet for Kapha. To combine means to take half of the recommended diet for Vata and half from the diet for Kapha.
A dosha is a specific combination of energies that creates your unique physical, emotional and mental being. This is an information drawing that controls your body, emotions and mind.
In my opinion, the more we know about ourselves and our body, the better. We will easily forgive ourselves for character flaws, be more relaxed about the nuances of our figure, that is, it is easier to accept yourself, and also know how to cope with your ailments and gain harmony, youth and our main components - beauty and radiance!
Therefore, Ayurveda for us in this case is simply best friend. But here I’m frankly not a pro, although I can easily determine the leading dosha and constitutions of other people by eye, but I’m not an Ayurveda specialist, so I’ll give the floor to the author of the book and Ayurveda doctor, Katie Silcox.
In addition, I am often asked how to determine a dosha, so I found for you not only a very accurate and competent description of all doshas, but also a wonderful questionnaire!
For successful application laws of Ayurveda in life, you need to know what type of person you are. This can be done using a simple test consisting of certain statements; you just need to evaluate how suitable this or that characteristic is for you.
Dosha test
The test consists of three parts, each characterizing a specific Dosha. Answer questions honestly. At the end, count the number of points; if their number is much higher for a certain Dosha, then it is the leading one; if two Doshas have approximately the same amount, you are one of the mixed type, the option is not excluded when all three Doshas are balanced.
There are three possible answers:
– “yes” rather than “no” (2 points),
– sometimes (1 point),
– rather “no” than “yes” (0 point).
Vata Dosha
Physical characteristics:
1. The physique is fragile (narrow rib cage, narrow hips, thin ankles and wrists),
2. It is difficult to gain weight even during holidays and rich meals,
3. If you do gain extra pounds, they are located around the waist and abdomen,
4. You move quickly
5. You often feel cold
6. The skin has a dark tint, the hair is thin and coarse
7. Height is either above average or below.
1. Appetite can be either increased or decreased, depending on emotional state,
2. Sleep is intermittent, often restless,
3. Tendency to constipation,
4. Increased activity both physical and emotional,
5. Fatigue,
6. You rarely and little sweat.
7. Your pulse is weak but rapid (above 80 beats per minute).
Personal qualities:
1. You have difficulty making decisions
2. You often get nervous
3. You have a good imagination,
4. You spend money quickly and own strength(physical and mental),
5. Mood changes often and sharply,
6. In general, you lead a chaotic lifestyle,
7. Favorite food – hot or warm with a sweet, salty or sour taste.
Pitta Dosha
Physical characteristics:
1. Average build
2. The skin has a yellowish tint, there are many freckles or moles on it, the hair is soft blond or light brown,
3. Average height
4. Body temperature is slightly elevated,
5. You gain and lose weight relatively easily,
6. Weight is distributed evenly throughout the body,
7. Body movements are measured.
Physiological characteristics:
1. You are quite energetic
2. Have a good appetite,
3. Regular bowel movements
4. You sweat easily in hot weather or just when high temperature air,
5. Sound sleep, duration – average,
6. You are quite resilient
7. You recover relatively quickly after work.
Personal qualities:
1. You usually act skillfully and carefully,
2. You easily lose patience, you can quickly get angry or excited, but you calm down just as quickly,
3. You have a tendency to criticize
4. You have clear and logical thinking,
5. The predominant character traits are ambition, practicality, sometimes envy,
6. You spend money sparingly and distribute forces,
7. You like cool food with a neutral taste, and don’t like too spicy dishes.
Kapha Dosha
Physical characteristics:
1. Large build, wide bones,
2. Tall or short,
3. The skin is soft, the hair is dark, thick, can be wavy,
4. Body temperature is slightly lowered,
5. You gain weight easily but have trouble losing weight
6. Extra pounds concentrated in the hips and legs area,
7. In general, all main functions are somewhat slow.
Physiological characteristics:
1. Increased sweating, there is a tendency to edema,
2. Sleep is deep and long,
3. Digestion is slow, after eating there is often heaviness in the stomach,
4. You often suffer from a runny nose,
5. You are physically resilient
6. Your appetite is generally moderate, you rarely suffer from obvious hunger or thirst,
7. The pulse is slightly slow (60 beats per minute).
Personal qualities:
1. You act and think slowly, without haste,
2. It’s difficult to make you angry
3. You are usually calm
4. You lead a measured lifestyle, often plan your day,
5. You love to eat tasty and substantial food, preferring warm food with a slightly sour or astringent taste,
6. You are slow to remember information, but have a good memory.
7. You spend your money sparingly.
Once you know which dosha you belong to (vata, pitta or kapha), you will be able to select the right asanas for your constitution, proper nutrition, it is easier to understand your behavior and deal with weaknesses. The results of this test will help you understand yourself. Just answer the questions honestly.
1. I love being...
A) warm! My hands and feet are always cold and I'm desperate to warm them up.
B) in a cool room. I'm often stuffy, so I don't like the heat
B) no matter where. I can adapt to any temperature.
2. During sleep I...
A) I fall asleep easily and wake up easily. The dream is quite sensitive.
B) I sleep very soundly. It usually takes me less than 8 hours to recover
C) I like to sleep. I can't stand being woken up. After waking up, I like to soak in bed for another 30 or 60 minutes...
3. B stressful situation I…
A) I’m very nervous and worried
B) I become irritable and aggressive
C) I withdraw into myself
4. My digestive problems are accompanied by...
A) gas formation
B) loose stools
B) constipation
5. You tend to...
A) change often, you are a temperamental, lively person
B) solve problems, set goals and achieve them
C) easy-going, you are always ready to give advice and come to the rescue
6. Your relationship with money...
A) complex. I'm throwing money away, I can't sit still until I've spent it all
B) normal. I like to spend it on spectacular things that demonstrate my high status
B) wonderful. I am a master at accumulating large sums, it brings me satisfaction
7. My skin...
A) dry and thin
B) normal. There are moles or freckles, sometimes irritation appears
B) prone to fat
8. My body...
A) thin and elongated
B) average, has a sporty look
B) massive. Large bones, good fat layer, soft shape
9. Most often I dream...
A) restless dreams in which I face my basic fears
B) struggle, competition, aggression, sometimes cruelty
C) the people I love pleasant moments from life
10. My hair...
A) dry and brittle
B) normal and soft
B) thick and shiny
11. How do you feel about physical activities?
A) I like relaxing workouts that also help keep my body in shape.
B) I adore them. At all yoga classes, I am the sweatiest practitioner.
C) the first 15 minutes are hard, but after that a second wind opens in me and I become really resilient
12. Your hunger...
A) is rarely strong. Usually he comes and goes. I often skip meals and forget.
B) literally attacks me. At some point I realize that I can’t do anything until I eat.
C) always with me. I'm always happy to have a snack.
13. My eyes...
A) small in size
B) people often tell me about mine piercing gaze
B) big. The look is open.
14. During an intense workout...
A) joints make cracking sounds. I seem to be more sensitive to pain and fatigue than others
B) my joints are elastic. I often work at the limit of my capabilities, and sometimes this leads to injury.
C) I almost never get injured. My joints work great.
15. Routine for me...
A) nightmare. There should be variety in my life.
B) acceptable if it leads me to the goal
B) comfortable. I need stability.
16. During training...
A) I am absent-minded and often distracted. I like to study in silence.
B) I learn very quickly. True, I forget everything just as quickly
C) I may take a long time to learn information, but once I have learned it, I will never forget it
17. Look in the mirror and stick out your tongue. What do you see?
A) dry, pale red tongue
B) a normal, bright red tongue. There may be a sharp tip.
B) thick round tongue, sometimes with a white coating
18. My nails...
A) peel, thin, uneven nail plate
B) thick, strong, soft
C) strong, long, claws, not nails
19. My sexuality...
A) is unstable. Today I feel like a goddess, and tomorrow I feel like a gray mouse. You never know what it depends on.
B) I am always passionate and active
C) I don’t often experience sexual desire
20. My friends say that I...
A) emotional and creative nature, I am often unbalanced
B) someone you can always rely on. True, sometimes I can be quite aggressive.
C) calm and reliable, I always gather everyone together. But sometimes I can be too slow.
Results
Count the number of letters that predominate in your answers.
A - Vata: You have irrepressible energy. When you appear in a room, everything around you seems to be illuminated with light. You are a great enthusiast who constantly bursts with creative energy. You have a sensitive soul, you take a lot to heart. To maintain your crazy roller coaster pace of life, focus on your nutrition - a raw food diet is not suitable for you, on the contrary, try to eat more processed foods.
B - Pitta: You are always in competition: with others, with yourself - it doesn’t matter. For you, the result is definitely important, not the process. On the one hand, this is great: you make the world revolve around you and always get what you need. On the other hand, there are too many of you, and sometimes you expose yourself to enormous stress. Your Pitta fire often literally burns within you, causing heartburn. Therefore, no matter how much you love the thrill, it is better to put the hot spices aside.
B - Kapha: Some are embarrassed to consider themselves to be this type, because such people are often slightly overweight. But meanwhile, kaphas are charming and one of the most nice people. They are calm, friendly, wise people, which envelop you like a soft blanket, giving you a feeling of security and comfort. The only negative is that such a measured rhythm of life can lead to stagnation. To prevent this from happening, try to avoid heavy foods such as meat and milk. And don't forget about physical activity.
To correctly understand the basic principles of the Vedic system of treatment, you first need to know what doshas are. The fundamental concepts of Ayurveda are based on the definition of prakriti, in other words, the constitution of the human body. How the body reacts to painful changes, what its weak points And strengths. By determining your prakriti using a dosha test, you will find out what rhythm of life and type of nutrition suits you, what you should be careful of when taking care of your health, and what diseases you should protect yourself from.
A kind of personality type that is determined by general characteristics physiology, such as skin type, hair, digestive characteristics, emotional state, gait, and so on.
Vata, Pitta, Kapha or Prakriti Itself?
There are three types in total: Vata, Pita, Kapha. Each of them corresponds to its own element - Wind, Fire, Water. These are not just metaphors taken from ancient teaching, - Ayurvedic medicine thus names the key substances or processes in each type of body constitution.
For example, a person with prominent Vata dosha is endowed with a fast metabolism and an “airy” physique. For Pita, the main role in establishing balance in the body is played by a strong digestive fire; such people also usually have a “hot” disposition. Kapha is slowness, smoothness, stability, excess moisture. There is also the so-called Sama-prakriti, in which there is not one or two predominant doshas - they are all in relative balance. From birth, every person has his own prakriti.
Why dosha test is needed?
IN healthy body all three doshas are in dynamic interaction, and their ratio can change throughout life under the influence of both external and internal factors. But as soon as the balance is sharply disturbed, the body begins to resist this, which often becomes the cause of the onset of disease-causing processes. Therefore, it is very important to know about the real needs and characteristics of your body in order to understand which lifestyle is best suited for you. Ayurvedic medicine gives general recommendations for each type of prakriti, observing which you can return your body to its natural balance. There are also tips for when one of the doshas has unnaturally become predominant in your body under the influence of the external environment.
You can take the dosha test twice, answering questions about the characteristics of your physiology in childhood and now. If the results differ sharply, this is sure sign that something in your lifestyle does not meet the needs of the body and requires changes. But, in order to more accurately assess your condition, prevent the development possible diseases and receive specific recommendations for improving your health, you need to take the opportunity to undergo professional Ayurvedic diagnostics at the Amrita center. The specialist will be able in the best possible way assess the functioning of your body in order to further help you become healthier and more effective in your life.
