Ayurvedic Constitutional Evalution Questionnaire

According to Ayurveda, the key to health is in understanding our own personal body type. There are three basic constitutional types, “doshas” in Sanskrit: Vata (or V), the “air” type. Pitta (or P), the “fire” and Kapha (or K), the “water” type. Each of us has some of the characteristics of all three of these. Many of us are dominant in more than one dosha. In general –

Vata people are sensitive and cheerful, quick to adapt to any new situation with enthusiasm. They crave excitement and stimulation, and are often the life of the party. They are quick in thought and in movement, seem to walk a little above the ground, and can be everywhere at once. They may be spacey, lacking in concentration skills, and may not have staying power in projects they begin with zeal. Their energy level is erratic. Physically, are slight and slender. Under stress, they tend towards anxiousness and worry.

Pitta people are bright and brilliant, intense and intelligent. They are very practical, doing what needs to be done with focus and determination. They tend to be ambitious and goal oriented, succeeding through sheer force of will. They are fair minded and logical, and can think through any problem step by step. They are forceful in their relationships, and communicate with directness. They tend to be organized, and their lifestyles are well paced and thought out. Physically, they are of moderate build, and usually have bright, intense eyes. Under stress, they tend towards frustration and anger.

Kapha people are loving, compassionate, and caring, often choosing lives of service. They have calm, patient, and stable personalities, and happily follow a regular routine. They enjoy the peace of home, and cultivate life’s comforts and pleasures. However, they have an innate strength, and work very hard at whatever is truly important to them in a stable and consistent way. They tend to be cautious, committing themselves only after deliberation, but once they have committed they devote themselves entirely. They tend to avoid change, preferring instead the predictable. They tend to move slowly, and conserve their energy. Physically, they are strong and stout. Under stress, they tend towards lethargy, and may have grief or attachment.

When doshas become aggravated, illness results. Each dosha has certain types of illnesses associated with it, for example, ulcers are a common Pitta concern. Also, each dosha has its own unique approach to management, such as personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations. Knowing what our body type is, therefore, the first step toward understanding what behaviors and therapies are correct for us.

This evaluation questionnaire can help to determine your body type according to Ayurvedic principles.
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability.

Check only the description that is most applicable to you. Use your intuition here! Some of the descriptions include more than one trait; if any or most of the traits listed in a particular line are yours, tick that box.

Observation Vata Pitta Kappha
Body Frame Slim Medium Large
Body weight Low, hard to gain Medium Overweight, gains easily
Eyes Small, dry, quick, black, brown Gray, green, hazel, blue, light-sensitive, intense gaze Large, calm, attractive, kind
Nose Thin,small,uneven Medium,large pores Large,oily,thick
Lips Dry, cracked, black or brown tinge Medium,soft,pink Smooth, oily, pale, thick
Teeth Crooked, big, thin gums Medium, soft, yellow, tender gums Healthy, large, white. strong gums
Skin Thin, dry, rough, dark Smooth, oily, fair, rosy, freckled, sunburns easily Thick, oily, white, pale
Hair Dry, brown, black, knotted, brittle, breaks easily Straight, oily, blond, red, grey, thinning, bald Thick, oily, curly, wavy, luxuriant
Nails Dry, rough, brittle, break easily Sharp, flexible, pink, lustrous Thick, oily, smooth, polished
Neck Thin, long Medium Large, folds
Hips Slender, thin Medium Large, heavy
Joints Small, cracking Medium Large, lubricated
Perspiration Less More Average
Temperature Cold extremities Warm Cool, Moist
Sex drive Low, variable Passionate Strong, steady
Appetite Irregular, scant Strong, unbearable Slow, steady
Digestions Irregular, gassy Fast, acidic, burning Slow, mucous
Thirst Changeable Excessive Low
Elimination Hard, dry, constipation Loose, soft, many, diarrhea if stressed Thick, oily, sluggish; regular
Strength Poor Good Excellent
Physical activity Hyperactive Moderate Slow
Exercise tolerance Low, but loves Medium, may overdo High, but doesn’t like
Walk Fast, forestrikes Average, heel strikes Slow, pronates
Weather Aversion to cold Aversion to hot Aversion to cool and damp
Mental Activity Hyperactive Moderate, sharp Slow, dull
Emotions under stress Anxious, fearful, uncertain Irritable, impatient, angry, jealous Calm, greedy, clinging
Financial tendency Spends on trifles Spends on luxuries Saves, accumulates wealth
Intellect Quick but faulty Moderate, accurate Slow, exact
Memory Recent good, long-term poor Moderate Slow to learn, long- term excellent
Voice High-pitched, fast Medium pitch, clear Low pitch, deep, resonant
Speech Rapid, unclear Sharp, penetrating Slow, monotonous
Moods Change quickly Slowly changing Steady, non-changing
Dreams Many, quick, active, frightening Violent, fiery Watery, romantic
Sleep Light, interrupted, insomnia Short but sound Deep, prolonged Bottom of Form

Analysing your result

Most people are combinations of all Doshas, with one being more dominant. It is common for two doshas to be in close alignment e.g. Vata/Pitta, Pitta/Kaffa. However, for the purpose of this exercise, use the dosha with the highest score in the questionnaire. Please note that these results should not be used to make changes to your lifestyle or diet. A more in-depth analysis should be taken and appropriate advice sought.

Dietary requirements of the Doshas

Mainly Vata

Eat: Sweet, sour & salty food. Food should be heated and easily digestible.
Always use oil. Raw food should not be eaten continuously. Good foods for Vatta: Oats, Rice, beats, carrots,
celery, garlic, ochra, sweet potatoes, cucumber, apricots, bananas, coconut, figs, grapes, mangoes, oranges.

Mainly Pitta

Eat: Sweet, bitter and astringent foods. “Cooling” foods are good, as well as raw food. Barley, rice, oats, unyeasted bread, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, mushroom, potatoes, apples, apricots, figs, melon, oranges, pears, pomegranate, avocadoes, lentils, almonds, cashews.

Mainly Kapha

Eat: Bitter, pungent and astringent foods. Foods should be drying and heating. Avoid fried, greasy food and berries. All bread should be either toasted or avoided. Buckwheat, millet, rye, barley, rice, peppers, asparagus, peas, green beans, carrots, spinach, lettuce, onion, parsley, apples, apricots, peaches, kidney beans, tofu, miso