Vata, Pitta and Kapha: The Three Doshas
These are the first, fundamental energy fields of the Unified Field referred to in physics. These first three fields (or doshas) are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are subtle but powerful fields that create the structure and function of the physical world including the human body. Ayurveda treats the imbalances found in the human constitutions of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Imbalance in the doshas manifest in imbalances in the body, mind and spirit and restoring balance re-invigorates those same aspects of the individual’s life so that true healing may occur from within.
Some qualities and characteristics of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata governs bodily functions concerned with movement. Vata is especially involved in the movement of electrical activity up and down the nerves and therefore has a major function in the nervous system and brain. The flow of food through the digestive tract and the circulation also are controlled by the function of Vata.
Pitta governs bodily functions concerned with heat, metabolism and energy production. Pitta’s main activities are to control the chemical transformation processes associated with digestion and metabolism.
Kapha governs bodily functions concerned with physical structure and fluid balance. It is mainly concerned with fluid balance and the buildup of the gross structure of the body including fat, tissues and muscles.
These doshas also have the characteristic of being: movement (Vata), transformation (Pitta) and structure (Kapha). We are all made up of unique proportions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The ratios of the doshas vary in each individual. Because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts for our diversity.
Discover Your Dosha
The following simple test will give you a fairly good idea of the levels of your doshas. We have to remember that everyone has all three doshas, but in varying degrees. After reading each description, mark 0 to 7 in the box provided. Note that values 2 and 5 are not assigned at all (don’t use them).
0 3 6
= Does not apply = Applies sometimes = Applies most of the time
1 4 7
Evaluating My Vata
Physical Attributes
1.My physique is thin-I don’t gain weight easily. …………………….. ____
2.I am quick and active. ……………………………………………….. ____
3.My skin is usually dry, more so in winter. …………………………. ____
4.My hands and feet are usually cold. ………………………………... ____
5.My energy fluctuates and comes in bursts. ………………………… ____
6.I usually develop gas or constipation. ……………………………… ____
7.I usually have difficulty falling asleep or having a sound night’s sleep ____
8.I am uncomfortable in cold weather. ……………………………….. ____
Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Attributes
9.My nature is lively and enthusiastic. ………………………………... ____
10.I have difficulty memorizing things and remembering them later. ….. ____
11.It is easy for me to learn new things quickly, but I also forget quickly.
12.I am not good at making decisions. …………………………………. ____
13.I am anxious or worrisome by nature. ………………………………. ____
14.People think I’m talkative and that I talk quickly. ………………….. ____
15.I am usually emotional by nature and moods fluctuate. …………….. ____
16.My mind is restless, but also imaginative. …………………………... ____
17.I have irregular eating and sleeping habits. …………………………. ____
Total Vata ______
Evaluating My Pitta
Physical Attributes
1. I don’t tolerate hot weather. ………………………………………… ____
2. I sweat easily. …………………………………………………… …. ____
3. I can’t tolerate delaying or skipping a meal. ………………………… ____
4. My hair is fine, straight, light, blonde, red, graying early, or balding. ____
5. My appetite is very good and I can eat big meals……………………. ____
6. My bowel movements are regular. I might have occasional loose stool but not much constipation. ____
7. I like cold drinks and such foods as ice cream. ……………………..
8. I often feel hot. ……………………………………………………… ____
9. Spicy, hot foods upset my stomach. ………………………………… ____
Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Attributes
10. I consider myself efficient. …………………………………………… ____
11. I try to be organized and accurate. …………………………………… ____
12. I have a strong will and my friends think I am stubborn. …………….. ____
13. I am impatient by nature. ……………………………………………… ____
14. I tend to become irritable or angry quite easily. ………………………. ____
15. I try to be meticulous and am a perfectionist by nature. ……………… ____
16. I get angry easily, but I don’t hold a grudge. ………………………….. ____
17. I am usually critical of myself and others. …………………………….. ____
Total Pitta ______
Evaluating My Kapha
Physical Attributes
1. It is easy for me to gain weight but difficult to lose. ………………… ____
2 .Skipping meals is easy for me and does not cause any problems. …… ____
3. I tend to have congestion, mucus, or sinus problems. ………………… ____
4. I’m a sound sleeper. …………………………………………………… ____
5. I have thick, oily, dark, wavy hair. ……………………………………. ____
6. My skin is smooth and soft with an almost pale complexion. ………… ____
7. My body frame is large and solid with a heavy bone structure. ……… ____
8 .My digestion is slow, so I feel full after eating. ………………………. ____
9. I have a steady energy level with good endurance and strong stamina. ____
10.I’m sensitive to cool and damp weather. …………………………….. ____
Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Attributes
11. I tend to be slow, methodical, and relaxed. …………………………… ____
12. I need to sleep a minimum of eight hours to feel well the next morning. ____
13. By nature I am calm and composed. I don’t get angry easily. ………… ____
14. I am not a quick learner but I am good at memorizing things and remembering them later. ____
15. Many people consider me affectionate, forgiving, and peaceful. ………. ____
16. I usually oversleep and have difficulty waking up the next morning. ….. ____
17. I am very reluctant to take on new responsibilities. ……………………. ____
Total Kapha ______
My total scores are _______, _______, ________.
Vata Pitta Kapha
Write in your Doshas with the high score first, middle score second and low score last.
I am ___________ first _________ second __________ third.
