What’s My Dosha?

The science of Ayurveda demonstrates that we are all made of the same elements (space, air, fire, water, earth) as everything in Nature. Yet while all elements are present in our psycho-physiologies, each of us has a uniqueness that can be ascribed to certain prevalent combinations of the five elements. Ayurveda calls these combinations "doshas," or constitutional types: Vata (air + space), Pitta (fire + water) and Kapha (earth + water).

The doshas are powerful aids in understanding our individual responses to food, to experiences, to stress, and to the environment. Vata, Pitta and Kapha offer valuable clues to the cause of imbalances that can lead to illness and disease. And the doshas can guide us in making choices which can restore and maintain good health. If you are new to Ayurveda, fill out the Dosha Questionnaire below to get a reasonable idea of your dominant dosha(s).

More on Doshas

Your prakriti (your essential, unique psycho-physiology) is composed of specific amounts of Vata, Pitta and Kapha that are determined at the moment of conception by the genetic makeup of your parents, the time and season of conception, and by any imbalances your parents were experiencing at that moment.

While the influence of your stage of life (childhood, adulthood, old age), environment, activities and dietary choices may create an obscuring overlay, your prakriti itself does not change. Identifying and understanding your prakriti is the first step in deciphering your unique responses to food, to experiences, to stress, and to the world around you. Recognizing your Vata, Pitta or Kapha “ness” will provide valuable insight into the imbalances that can lead to illness and disease. And they are excellent guides to self-awareness and to the choices that can restore and maintain good health.

It’s important to keep in mind that your dosha and your imbalance do not necessarily match. For example, you could be a Vata and have a Kapha imbalance like water retention, or you might be predominantly Pitta, but have a Vata imbalance like anxiety. That’s because all of us have some Vata, Pitta and Kapha in our make-up, governing specific functions, organs and tissues.

For example, in everyone, Vata is responsible for the nervous system. Even if you’re a Kapha, you have a nervous system under the direction of Vata. If that nervous system is depleted, you may experience the Vata imbalance of insomnia. To restore order, you need to pacify or balance Vata, while keeping an eye on your Kapha constitution. A qualified Ayurvedic practitioner can help you do both.

For more information, read Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution, by Robert Svoboda, one of our favorite authors. It’s both instructive and entertaining.


Dosha Questionnaire

Directions for Dosha Questionnaire:

For each item, click the button that best describes the way you have been most of your life. The total of Vata, Pitta and Kapha answers will be automatically computed for you.

Observation V P K Vata Pitta Kapha
Body frame Slim Medium Large
Body weight Low, hard to gain Medium Overweight, gains easily
Chin Thin, angular Tapering Round, double
Cheeks Wrinkled, sunken Smooth, flat Round, plump
Eyes Small, dry, quick, black, brown Gray, green, hazel, blue, light-sensitive, intense gaze Large, calm, attractive, kind
Whites of the eyes Bluish or brown Yellow or red White and glossy
Nose Uneven, deviated septum Long, pointed, red tip Short, rounded, button nose
Lips Dry, cracked, black or brown tinge Red or yellowish, inflamed Smooth, oily, pale, whitish
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, nevi, 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
Chest Flat, sunken Moderate Expanded, round
Abdomen Thin, hard, sensitive Muscular Big, thick, soft
Navel Small, irregular, herniated Oval, superficial Big, deep round, stretched
Hips Slender, thin Medium Large, heavy
Joints Small, cracking Medium Large, lubricated
Tendons & Veins Prominent Medium Hidden
Perspiration Less More Average
Temperature Cold extremities Warm Cool, Moist
Menses Spotty, irregular, cramps Intense, heavy Strong, regular
Sex drive Low, variable Passionate Strong, steady
Appetite Irregular, scant Strong, unbearable Slow, steady
Digestion 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
Faith Variable Extreme Consistent
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
Resting pulse
Women 80-100 70-80 60-70
Men 70-90 60-70 50-60



This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a serious health concern, please see your physician.
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