The Right Exercise for Your Type

Many of us have made the resolution to exercise more in the new year. But the kind of exercise you choose to do may not be compatible with your life-energy type, which could outweigh the benefits to your system. And if you choose the activities that are just right for you, you will be in much better balance.

Find out what the ancient Hindu system of Ayurveda can tell you about the kind of physical activity that best suits you. First, take the fun quiz to see what type you are. Then find out which exercise is best for you for your optimum fitness, energy, and health, all right here:

First, take the Dosha Quiz.

Vatas
Vatas tend to get worn out; they have a low reserve of energy. the worst thing they can do is overextend themselves physically. Vatas are fairly flexible, so they love exercise like yoga and Pilates, where they can stretch and warm their muscles. They also like exercises where they can have fun, because they tend to get bored easily; anything new and interesting gets their attention. They love a hot, steamy shower after exercise.

Best exercise for Vata
Low-impact:
Yoga
Walking
Dancing

Pitta
Pittas are fiercely competitive, so sports where they play on a team, or games where they have something at stake, really fuel their fire. Swimming, diving, and other water sports are great for Pittas, because the water is cooling, which is balancing for them. It is refreshing for Pittas to take a nice dip in the pool after their workouts.

Best exercise for Pitta
Competitive or team sports:
Baseball
Tennis
Or cooling sports:
Swimming

Kapha
Kaphas have a lot of stored-up energy, so they can take more strenuous exercise—actually, they need to burn off that energy so that it doesn’t turn to bulk. Running is great, even if it’s on a treadmill at the gym. Weight lifting is also really good for Kaphas. As a reward for their efforts, Kaphas may look forward to a nice warm soak in the tub!

Best exercise for Kapha
Stimulating, regular exercise:
Bodybuilding
Running

Adapted from What’s Your Dosha, Baby? by Lisa Marie Coffey (Marlowe and Company, 2004). Copyright (c) 2004 by Lisa Marie Coffey. Reprinted by permission of the author.
Adapted from What's Your Dosha, Baby? by Lisa Marie Coffey (Marlowe and Company, 2004).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Michele W.

4:31AM PDT on Oct 5, 2011

Thank you

send a green star

KS G.

12:55AM PDT on Aug 20, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Citlalli V.

8:22PM PDT on May 22, 2011

Excercise-wise, I'm a Vata - I have to be careful because of my injuries, so I avoid most high-impact stuff. However, I love martial arts - I just have to be careful and make sure I'm listening to my body.
However, the hot, steamy shower couldn't be further away from the truth: it's completely cold water that makes me feel good. Can't stand hot water - it's lukewarm for me, at most.

Gordana R.

12:59AM PDT on Apr 26, 2011

combine all...

Evelyn D.

1:37PM PDT on Mar 20, 2011

Okay, just read the exercise my Dosha recommends and totally disagree. lol In my case, I'm a combination of the other two. :)

Cecilia B.

1:20PM PDT on Mar 20, 2011

thanks

Sue M.

9:24AM PDT on Mar 20, 2011

John T.

12:47PM PDT on Mar 19, 2011

Thanks. I can't decide which type I am, though.

KayL N.

9:15AM PDT on Mar 19, 2011

The "Vatas" description seemed to fit me until I got to the hot-shower part. I'm super heat-sensitive, so I prefer baths to showers, as the water in showers -- especially in apartment buildings -- can change temperature quite abruptly and unexpectedly!

Farah H.

1:32AM PDT on Mar 19, 2011

interesting, thank you