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Quiz: Which Ayurvedic (Life Energy) Type Are You?

posted by Annie B. Bond Aug 24, 2001 11:23 am
Quiz: Which Ayurvedic (Life Energy) Type Are You?
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Adapted from The Ayurvedic Year, by Christina Brown (Storey Books, 2002).

Ayurveda is a complete holistic medical system that has been practiced
in India for thousands of years.

In the ancient language of Sanskrit,
“ayus” means life, and “veda” means knowledge. Ayurveda is the science
of living. As a complete system that treats each person as an
individual, ayurveda is perfectly customized for you.

Ayurvedic healing teaches that there are three basic constitutional
“types”: Earthy Kapha, fiery Pitta, and airy Vata. Once you know your
type (we are blends of all types, but one usually stands out), you can
learn to analyze your personality and body type, and find out which
foods, exercises, lifestyles—even jobs—are most beneficial for you.
Here is an illuminating quiz to help you find your Ayurvedic type.

Consider each statement, and assign the number that is most appropriate beside each one (0=never applies; 2=sometimes applies; 4=often applies).

VATA
My skin is dry. I can’t seem to moisturize enough.
I’m slim and can eat whatever I want without putting on weight.
My digestion feels irregular. Sometimes I’m ravenous; sometimes
I have no appetite.
I learn new things easily, but my long-term memory isn’t great.
I am creative and enthusiastic.
I give out so much energy that sometimes I need to rest up to recover.
My energy levels fluctuate a lot.
I dislike the cold, be it in weather, food, or drinks.
My moods change easily.
Stress makes me feel fearful and insecure.


PITTA
I am of medium build and have a well-balanced shape.
When I get indigestion, it tends to manifest as burning sensations.
I love iced drinks, ice cream and other cold foods.
I have a large appetite and digest food very quickly.
My mind is generally well-focused and alert.
People consider me passionate, confident, and courageous.
I don’t like heat much. It tires me, and I sweat easily.
I tend to be impatient, and sometimes anger easily.
I am determined, critical, and stubborn.
I’m rarely daunted by a challenge.


KAPHA

I have a solid build. As a baby, I was big boned.
My digestion is slow, and I feel heavy after eating.
I gain weight easily and am slow to lose it.
I am patient and even tempered.
I’m able to remain calm and unruffled under stress.
I feel I’m slower than others to grasp new concepts.
Once I really learn something, I never forget it.
Once I get going, I have loads of stamina, but I’m not a high-energy person.
I have a caring, compassionate nature.
I don’t like humidity and dampness, but I’m fine in very hot or very cold conditions.

Now add up each of your three dosha sub-totals. Your highest score reveals your most active dosha.

Read about each dosha.

More on Ayurveda (5 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3187 articles available)

26 comments

The Ayurvedic Year

A seasonal guide to nutrition, yoga, and healing.buy now
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26 Comments       add a comment »
Jelka V.

P.S. Regarding my own "conclusion" (just in case anyone is wondering)... I have a hefty library on Ayurvea from the time (1988) when I as introduced to it (yes, regardless of the dork who accused me of lying ;)).

And because I am rather proficient in aromatherapy, Ayurveda is familiar to me from that aspect, too.

Jelka V.



I hear you, Robin...
So do I. :)

Frankly, I cannot stand this system - and not only because there is no way I could (or would ever want to ;)) split myself into three, but because the first time I was introduced to it, around 1988, the man who "tested" me kept telling me that I was - LYING in my replies (yes, believe it or not).

If I were to follow it, I would have to give up EVERYTHING that I like eating and drinking - and please, consider that I am a vegetarian who drinks very little outside water and the occasional drink of milk...

Good luck to anyone following it! :)

Robyn M.

I must have a split personality 'cos I 'fit' into all 3 lol!!

Emerald Jordan

Oh, my. I dare not form a conclusion based on the information that has been given!

Karen B.

none of these fit me. They each have truths and untruths about me.

Penelope Curtis

I have studied Ayurveda and this is very simplistic. The three doshas have subtleties where characteristics of each can fit a person. An Ayurvedic practitioner will look at how the characteristics fit and predominance to determine the dosha or doshas. Some people are mostly one but others may exhibit characteristics of two or three.

Ayurveda is a serious health care alternative. This simplistic quiz does those who spend years studying to become practioners a disservice.

Brit H.
  • Brit H. says
  • Feb 21, 2008 11:03 AM

haha its right there your sopossed to write down your score yourself..

Lisa Germain

thiers no quiz here

Raven Montgomery

I have a chronic pain condition from a collision and I see that before the event I was clearly a V and after feel more like a P. It was hard for me to score this correctly and completely in the now but I did my best and came up with V 30, P 24, K 18. I wonder how this discipline deals with chronic pain issues as western medicine really seems to fail here.

Amanda O.

ok.... well I marked 8/10, 7/10, and 6/10... I dont fit anywhere and as for the colors I fit more into Pitta or Kapha... I don't like this... :P

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Adapted from The Ayurvedic Year, by Christina Brown (Storey Books). Copyright (c) 2002, by CMQ Publications Ltd. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.

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