The three doshas are known as: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. To find out your dominant dosha, take the Dosha Quiz below:
Frame
- A. I am thin and slender with prominent joints and lean muscles.
- B. I have a medium, symmetrical build with good muscle development.
- C. I have a large or stocky build.
Skin
- A. My skin is dry and rough.
- B. My skin is warm, reddish in color and easily irritated.
- C. My skin is moist and oily.
Hair
- A. My hair is dry, brittle or frizzy.
- B. My hair is fine, thin, or prematurely gray.
- C. My hair is thick and wavy.
Eyes
- A. My eyes are small and active.
- B. I have a penetrating gaze.
- C. I have large pleasant eyes.
Joints
- A. My joints are thin, prominent and have a tendency to crack.
- B. My joints are loose and flexible.
- C. My joints are large, well knit and firm.
Body Temperature
- A. My hands and feet are usually cold and I prefer warm environments.
- B. I am usually warm, regardless of the season, and prefer cooler environments.
- C. I am adaptable to most temperatures but do not like cold, wet days.
Under Stress…
- A. I become anxious or worried.
- B. I become irritable, intense, or aggressive.
- C. I become withdrawn or depressed.
Sleep
- A. I am a light sleeper with a tendency to awaken easily.
- B. I am a moderately sound sleeper, usually needing less than 8 hours to feel rested but have vivid dreams.
- C. My sleep is deep and long. I tend to awaken slowly in the morning.
Weather
- A. My least favorite is cold weather.
- B. My least favorite is hot weather.
- C. My least favorite is damp weather.
Weight
- A. I tend to lose weight easily.
- B. I maintain my weight easily.
- C. I gain weight easily.
Appetite
- A. On a daily basis, my appetite varies and I have delicate digestion.
- B. I feel uncomfortable if I skip a meal and I can eat almost anything.
- C. I like to eat, but can skip meals easily. I have a slow digestion.
Bowel Movements
- A. Tend to be hard with occasional constipation.
- B. Tend to be loose with occasional diarrhea.
- C. Tend to be well formed or sticky with occasional constipation.
Personality
- A. I am lively and enthusiastic by nature. I like change.
- B. I am purposeful and intense. I like being efficient and in control.
- C. I am easy going and caring. I like to support others.
Activity
- A. I like to be active and it can be hard to sit still.
- B. I enjoy activity that has a purpose, especially competitive.
- C. I like leisurely activities and staying home.
Walk
- A. I walk quickly.
- B. I have a determined walk.
- C. I walk slow and steady at a leisurely pace.
Moods
- A. My moods change quickly, with a tendency towards anxiety.
- B. My moods change slowly, but I can become angry easily.
- C. My moods are mostly steady and most things don’t bother me.
Memory
- A. I learn quickly and forget quickly.
- B. I have a good memory.
- C. I learn slowly but have a good long-term memory.
Organization
- A. I am good at getting things started, but not at getting things done.
- B. I am very organized and can focus on a project from start to finish.
- C. I need help getting things started, but I am good at seeing things to the finish.
Money
- A. I spend money almost as quickly as I make it.
- B. It is important for me to have money and I spend it on expensive, luxury items.
- C. I don’t like to spend money and prefer saving it for a rainy day.
In relationships I usually ask…
- A. What is wrong with me?
- B. What is wrong with you?
- C. Are you sure there is something wrong?
Out of balance, I feel like…
- A leaf in the wind.
- B. A raging inferno.
- C. A bump on a log.
My motto in life is…
- A. Throw caution to the wind and live for today.
- B. No pain no gain.
- C. Don’t worry, be happy.
Count how many times you chose A, B, and C:
A’s:__________
B’s:__________
C’s:__________
If you have mostly A’s: You are primarily Vata.
If you have mostly B’s: You are primarily Pitta.
If you have mostly C’s: You are primarily Kapha.
If you have a pretty close score in two areas, then you are likely a mix of those two types, with your higher score being the slightly stronger dosha. If you have an almost exact three-way split, you are what is called tri-doshic, a balance between all three types (this is unusual but possible). After the descriptions of the doshas below, I will explain how to manage the sometimes-conflicting recommendations when you have high or nearly equal numbers for two doshas or all three doshas. Let’s begin by talking about what it means to be each type.