Questionnaire to Determine Ayurvedic Constitution

RIVERWALK – NATURAL – HEALTH – CLINIC

Deborah A. Wiancek, N.D.

970-926-7606  wiancek@healthref.com ; www.healthref.com

This questionnaire is provided to help you determine your Ayurvedic constitution.  Select one answer for each question.  If more than one answer is applicable, choose the one that applies the most.  Some answers will be obvious (such as hair color, height, dry skin, etc.).  Others will be more subjective and variable.  If in doubt, answer according to how you have been for most of your life, especially for the past few years.  At the end of the questionnaire, add the number of A’s, B’s, and C’s to determine your body-mind constitution.

 

Body Frame

A.£ Taller or shorter than average, thin and slender, with prominent joints and thin muscles.               B.£ Medium build, with good muscle development.                                                                              C.£ Large, round, solid body frame, with a heavy bone structure.

Weight

A.£ Low; difficulty gaining weight.                                                                                                     B.£ Moderate; it’s easy to gain weight or lose weight if I put my mind to it.                                      C.£ Heavy; I gain weight easily and have difficulty losing it.

Hair – two or more of the following options:

A.£ Dry, coarse, kinky, curly, brown, black.                                                                                         B.£ Fine, soft, red, light brown, blonde, prematurely graying or balding.                                          C.£ Abundant, thick, oily, wavy, brown, black.

Eyes

A.£ Small, dry, brown, active.                                                                                                              B.£ Sharp, penetrating, green, blue, gray, with reddish or yellowish sclera.                                        C.£ Large, attractive, brown or deep blue, with white sclera.

Teeth

A.£ Crooked, uneven or with large spaces, sensitive to hot or cold, need for braces.                          B.£ Medium-sized, yellowish, gums bleed easily.                                                                               C.£ Large, straight, white.

Skin

A.£ Dry, rough, thin, darker (relative to family), tans easily.                                                               B.£ Fair skin, sunburns easily, warm, reddish in color, prone to irritation.                                          C.£ Moist, thick, smooth. 

Temperature

A.£ Cold hands and feet, dislikes cold weather, prefers warm environments.                                     B.£ Usually warm regardless of season, sweats easily, prefers cooler environments.                         C.£ Cool (not cold) and clammy, adaptable to most temperatures but dislikes cool, wet weather.

Appetite

A.£ Unpredictable and variable; sometimes not hungry at mealtimes and hungry between meals.                                                                                                                                                      B.£ Strong; acutely aware of mealtimes, irritable when delaying or missing a meal, can digest large quantities of food.                                                                                                                                   C.£ Moderate; can comfortably miss a meal, feels best with smaller quantities of food.

Bowel Movements

A.£ Irregular, tends toward constipation, hard and dry stool, accompanied by gas.                               B.£ Regular, two or more bowel movements per day, loose/soft stools, occasional burning.                  C.£ Regular pattern, usually one large, full bowel movement per day.

Sleep

A.£ Light or interrupted, insomnia, 5-7 hours per night.                                                                      B.£ Sound, 6-8 hours per night.                                                                                                             C.£ Deep, uninterrupted, love to sleep, slow to waken

Dreams

A.£ Flying, running, fear, searching, traveling.                                                                                    B.£ Fire, conflict, anger, vivid colors, passion, jealousy.                                                                     C.£ Water, romance, sadness, ocean, clouds, short dreams.

Work Habits

A.£ Selfless, often volunteers to help out.                                                                                            B.£ Works intensely, especially to achieve personal goals.                                                                  C.£ Procrastinates, sometimes lazy, takes time to complete projects.

Activity Pattern

A.£ Performs activities very quickly, energy levels fluctuate and come in bursts, often multi-tasks, easily distracted and may not complete projects.                                                                                   B.£ Performs activities intensely and efficiently, perfectionist mindset, likely to become aggravated if interrupted or encounter difficulties.                                                                                                   C.£ Performs activities slowly, calmly, and deliberately, steady energy level with good endurance and stamina.

Learning Pattern

A.£ Very quick learner, but forgets things easily.                                                                                 B.£ Moderately quick learner, clear on details, average memory.                                                        C.£ Slow learner, but never forgets information once it is learned.

Disease Pattern

A.£ Joint aches, low back pain, indigestion, intestinal gas, constipation, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, weakness, dryness.                                                                                                                                   B.£ Skin conditions (rashes, acne), ulcers, inflammations, fevers.                                                      C.£ Respiratory conditions, cough with mucus, sinus/nose/throat congestion, benign growths, obesity, diabetes, fluid retention.

Temperament

A.£ Lively, easily excitable, changeable moods, enthusiastic.                                                             B.£ Perfectionist, driven, intense, opinionated.                                                                                    C.£ Easy-going, calm, satisfied, accepting.

Reaction to Stress

A.£ Fearful, anxious and/or worried.                                                                                                    B.£ Anger, irritability, and/or aggressive.                                                                                             C.£ Withdrawn and/or reclusive.

Sensitive to:

A.£ Noise.                                                                                                                                             B.£ Bright lights.                                                                                                                                   C.£ Strong odors.

My family and friends might prefer me to be:

A.£ Settled.                                                                                                                                            B.£ Tolerant.                                                                                                                                          C.£ Enthusiastic.

This questionnaire made me feel:

A.£ Indecisive.                                                                                                                                        B.£ Annoyed.                                                                                                                                           C.£ Sleepy.

Final Score:        A._____          B._____          C._____ 

                                   œ                      œ                      œ             

                                Vata                 Pitta              Kapha                         

The letter A corresponds to Vata. 

B corresponds to Pitta.  

C corresponds to Kapha.   

Your predominant dosha(s) determine your Ayurvedic constitution.  Some individuals have one predominant dosha (either vata, pitta, or kapha).  Some individuals have two equally predominant doshas (for example, pitta-vata or kapha-pitta).  Rarely, a few individuals will have equal proportions of all three doshas.  While not an exact tool, this questionnaire should give you a good idea of your unique Ayurvedic constitution.  A better and more exact determination of your constitution requires the insight and skill-set (including face, tongue, and pulse diagnosis) of a trained Ayurvedic practitioner.     

Kapha Dosha

Kapha represents the biological elements of water and earth.  Kapha has the qualities of heavy, cold, wet, slow, steady, soft, smooth, oily, and sweet.  It governs all structure and lubrication in the mind and body.  It controls weight, growth, lubrication for the joints and lungs, and formation of all seven tissues in the body.

Characteristics of Kapha Type

-Solid, heavier build

-Great strength and endurance      

-Slow, methodical in activity

-Oily, smooth skin

-Tranquil, steady personality

-Slow to grasp new information

-Slow to forget (good memory)

-Sleep is heavy and long      

Imbalanced Kapha

Physical Manifestations

-Congested sinuses, nose, throat

-Cough with mucus  

-Sore throat with runny nose

-Frequent colds

-Intolerance to cold and damp       

-Allergies, asthma     

-Diabetes       

-Edema and fluid retention             

-Bloating, nausea, indigestion

-Pale and cold skin   

-Cysts and other growths

Psychological Manifestations

-Lethargy

-Dullness

-Mental inertia

-Oversleeping

-Daytime drowsiness

-Depression

-Lack of motivation

-Procrastination

-Over-attachment

-Greed

-Possessiveness

Guidelines for Balancing Kapha

-Stay warm

-Avoid cold and damp (consider using a dry sauna or doing Bikram yoga)

-Eat a Kapha-reducing diet:

-favor warm, light, dry, spicy foods

-favor bitter, pungent, astringent tastes

-reduce oily, cold, heavy foods

-reduce sweet, salty, and sour tastes

-it is particularly important to reduce sweetness (irrespective of  calories, Kaphas    will gain weight and go out of balance when eating sweet foods)

-prepare fresh meals, avoid leftovers

-avoid eating early in morning  (before 10am) or late at night (after 7pm)

-it is important not to overeat if you are a Kapha type

            -Learn the joy of fasting (seasonally or one day per week)

            -Use herbs and spices that are Kapha-reducing

                        -Heating spices

                        -Trikatu (dry ginger, black pepper, pipilli)

                        -Triphala (amla, bibhitaki, haritaki)

                        -Honey (but no more than 2 tablespoons per day)

                        -Stimulants: green tea, yerba mate’, coffee and black tea (all in moderation)

-Drink only warm fluids and warming herbal teas, in moderation

-Perform a full-body dry massage each morning to stimulate circulation (using gloves or dry loofah)

-Try right nostril breathing exercises (close your left nostril with your index and middle fingers, breathe in and out of the right nostril slowly) (this is heating to the body and raises digestive fire and increases metabolism)

-Engage in regular and vigorous exercise, preferably everyday

-Avoid excessive sleeping and napping during the day

-Break free from old habits, seek variety in life, and accept motivating challenges

-Healing Mantra: “move your body”

Kapha reducing tea is available at Riverwalk Natural Health Clinic & Natural Pharmacy

Pitta Dosha

Pitta

Pitta represents the biological elements of fire and water.  Pitta has the qualities of hot, moist, light, fluid, sour smelling, sharp, intense, and penetrating.  It governs all heat, metabolism, and transformation in the mind and body.  It controls how we digest foods, ideas, and sensory perceptions.  It governs the all-important digestive agni’s or fires in the body.

Characteristics of Pitta Type

-Moderate build/ muscular                                   
-Tendency of irritability and anger

-Aversion to hot weather                                      
-Good speaker

-Sharp hunger and digestion                                  
-Enterprising, sharp in character

-Can’t skip meals                                                 
-Tendency for reddish complexion, hair, moles, and freckles

Imbalanced Pitta

Physical Manifestations

-Sharply increased hunger or thirst                          
-Increased acidity, heartburn, ulcers

-Intolerance to heat                                                
- Sunburn, sunstroke

-Skin inflammations and rashes                              
-Hot flashes   

-Bloodshot eyes                                                    
-Acne 

-Sour body odors                                                  
-Bad breath

-Rectal burning, hemorrhoids                                  
-Dark yellow feces and urine

Psychological Manifestations

-Anger                                                                    
-Irritability

-Hostile behavior                                                    
-Rage 

-Impatience                                                            
-Criticism (of self/others)

-Arrogant argumentation                                          
-Aggressive, domineering behavior

Guidelines for Balancing Pitta

-Seek coolness in all forms (through diet, herbs, being in nature, keeping thermostat below 70 degrees when you sleep, not lingering in the hot bath too long, etc)  

-Eat a Pitta-reducing diet

-Eat whenever hungry

-Drink Pitta balancing tea, available at the River Walk Natural Health Clinic & Natural Pharmacy

-Use herbs and spices that are Pitta-reducing:

• Cooling spices
• Gentian root, mint leaves, mild laxatives (psyllium seed or flax seed)
• Triphala (amla, bibhitaki, haritaki)
• Be attentive to taking in only pure food, water, and air (since Pitta is especially sensitive to impurities of any kind)
• Avoid alcohol and artificial stimulants (both of which are like throwing kerosene on a fire)
• Avoid strenuous physical exercise or overheating yourself outdoors
• Take time to wind down from activity; alternating rest and activity is the basic rhythm of life
• Meditate
• Try cooling breathing exercises

            1. Open your mouth to form an “O” shape.

2. With your mouth in this position, form a funnel with your tongue and place it between your lips.

3. Slowly inhale through your tongue, swallow the breath, and feel the

breath in your heart.

4. Relax your tongue and mouth, then exhale through your mouth.

5. Repeat this exercise for three minutes, twice daily. 

Healing mantra: “let go”

Vata Dosha

Vata represents the biological elements of air and space.  It has the qualities of dry, cold, light, quick, erratic, rough, unstable and moving. Vata governs all movement in the mind and body.  It controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing, and movement of thoughts across the mind.  Vata governs the other two doshas (pitta and kapha) and so it’s very important to keep Vata in good balance to ensure the other two doshas are not imbalanced.

Characteristics of Vata

- Light, thinner build

-Tendency for dry skin

-Aversion to cold weather

-Tendency toward light and interrupted sleep

- Quick to grasp new information

- Quick to forget

- Irregular hunger and digestion

- Tendency toward constipation

Imbalanced Vata

Physical Manifestations

-Intolerance to wind and cold

-Constipation

-Flatulence, intestinal gas

-Dry skin and chapped lips

-Loss of energy or stamina

-Severe and acute pains

-Joint aches or arthritis

-Back pain, especially low back pain

-Muscle spasms

Psychological Manifestations

-Overactivity of the mind

-Anxiety, inability to relax

-Inability to concentrate

-Worry

-Restlessness

-Depression

-Insomnia

-Fatigue

-Loss of appetite

Guidelines for Balancing Vata

-Get plenty of rest and quiet time (this is all-important for any Vata problem)

-Stay warm

-Eat a Vata-pacifying diet and eat regularly

-Drink lots of warm fluids

-Avoid cold food and drinks

-Use herbs and spices that are Vata-reducing:

•   Heating spices
•   Ashwagandha, fresh ginger,   
•   Triphala (amla, bibhitaki, haritaki)

-Maintain a regular daily routine (mealtimes, bedtimes, etc.)

-Massage your body with sesame oil each morning

-Take a long, warm shower or bath in the morning

-Perform mild exercises (simple yoga stretches, walking, tai chi)

-Avoid mental strain or over-stimulation (loud music, violent movies, long hours of TV or computer, particularly in the evening)

-Make your surroundings light, bright, and cheerful

-Do not drink alcohol, or caffeine while trying to balance Vata

-Healing mantra: “slow down” 

Vata reducing tea is available at The Riverwalk Natural Health Clinic and Natural Pharmacy.  Click here to check out our natural products. 

Ayurveda: The Science of Life

Ayurveda is the traditional healing system of India and the sister science of yoga.  It is considered the first form of medicine in the world and has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years.  The word “ayurveda” literally means the science of life.  It is not only a system of medicine in the conventional sense of diagnosing and treating a disease.  It is a way of living.  It is a unique blend of science and philosophy that teaches us how to balance the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects that are necessary for optimal health.

The wisdom of Ayurveda comes from the Vedas, the oldest and most authoritative sacred texts coming out of India.  The basis of Ayurvedic philosophy is the belief that everything, living and non-living, is composed of the great five elements- namely space, air, fire, water, and earth.  In the human body, these five elements combine into three life-forces called doshas- namely vata, pitta, kapha.  Each of us is born with a unique combination of these doshas that make up our physical and psychological constitution.  When the dosha pattern is balanced, we experience health and well-being.  When the dosha pattern becomes aggravated or imbalanced (due to poor diet, stress, wrong lifestyle, climate changes, etc.), the end result is disease in the body.

Goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to detoxify the body and to rebalance the doshas or life-forces within the body.  The first step is to determine a person’s specific constitution and dosha imbalances.  This is accomplished by taking a complete history, doing a full physical exam (including tongue and pulse diagnosis), and running lab tests as necessary.  With this knowledge, specific herbs, foods, vitamins, exercises, and daily routines, along with cleansing and rejuvenation programs, can be prescribed to restore health to the body, mind, and spirit.

Ayurveda is an invaluable daily practice for creating health and harmony in your body and in your environment.  Once you begin to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into your daily activities, you will begin to see positive benefits in every aspect of your life.

AYURVEDA: the science of life

"Ayurveda is the traditional healing system of India and the sister science of yoga.  It is considered the first form of medicine in the world and has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years."

Ayurveda is the traditional healing system of India and the sister science of yoga.  It is considered the first form of medicine in the world and has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years.  The word “ayurveda” literally means the science of life.  It is not only a system of medicine in the conventional sense of diagnosing and treating a disease.  It is a way of living.  It is a unique blend of science and philosophy that teaches us how to balance the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects that are necessary for optimal health.

The wisdom of Ayurveda comes from the Vedas, the oldest and most authoritative sacred texts coming out of India.  The basis of Ayurvedic philosophy is the belief that everything, living and non-living, is composed of the great five elements- namely space, air, fire, water, and earth.  In the human body, these five elements combine into three life-forces called doshas- namely vata, pitta, kapha.  Each of us is born with a unique combination of these doshas that make up our physical and psychological constitution.  When the dosha pattern is balanced, we experience health and well-being.  When the dosha pattern becomes aggravated or imbalanced (due to poor diet, stress, wrong lifestyle, climate changes, etc.), the end result is dis-ease in the body.

The goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to detoxify the body and to rebalance the doshas or life-forces within the body.

The first step is to determine a person’s specific constitution and dosha imbalances.  This is accomplished by taking a complete history, doing a full physical exam (including tongue and pulse diagnosis), and running lab tests as necessary.  With this knowledge, specific herbs, foods, vitamins, exercises, and daily routines, along with cleansing and rejuvenation programs, can be prescribed to restore health to the body, mind, and spirit.

Ayurveda is an invaluable daily practice for creating health and harmony in your body and in your environment.  Once you begin to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into your daily activities, you will begin to see positive benefits in every aspect of your life.

Determine Your Ayurvedic Constitution

Questionnaire to 

Determine Your

Ayurvedic Constitution

This questionnaire is provided to help you determine your Ayurvedic constitution.  Select one answer for each question.  If more than one answer is applicable, choose the one that applies the most.  Some answers will be obvious (such as hair color, height, dry skin, etc.).  Others will be more subjective and variable.  If in doubt, answer according to how you have been for most of your life, especially for the past few years.  At the end of the questionnaire, add the number of A’s,    B’s, and C’s to determine your body-mind constitution. 

  Body Frame

        A.£ Taller or shorter than average, thin and slender, with prominent joints and thin muscles.    
        B.£ Medium build, with good muscle development.                                                         
        C.£ Large, round, solid body frame, with a heavy bone structure.

Weight

A.£ Low; difficulty gaining weight.                                                                                          
B.£ Moderate; it’s easy to gain weight or lose weight if I put my mind to it.                  
C.£ Heavy; I gain weight easily and have difficulty losing it.

Hair – two or more of the following options:

A.£ Dry, coarse, kinky, curly, brown, black.                                                                       
B.£ Fine, soft, red, light brown, blonde, prematurely graying or balding.                              
C.£ Abundant, thick, oily, wavy, brown, black.

Eyes

A.£ Small, dry, brown, active.                                                                                                  
B.£ Sharp, penetrating, green, blue, gray, with reddish or yellowish sclera.                 
C.£ Large, attractive, brown or deep blue, with white sclera.

Teeth

A.£ Crooked, uneven or with large spaces, sensitive to hot or cold, need for braces.           
B.£ Medium-sized, yellowish, gums bleed easily.                                                                    
C.£ Large, straight, white.

Skin

A.£ Dry, rough, thin, darker (relative to family), tans easily.                                             
B.£ Fair skin, sunburns easily, warm, reddish in color, prone to irritation.                 
C.£ Moist, thick, smooth.

Temperature

A.£ Cold hands and feet, dislikes cold weather, prefers warm environments.                     
B.£ Usually warm regardless of season, sweats easily, prefers cooler environments.        
C.£ Cool (not cold) and clammy, adaptable to most temperatures but dislikes cool, wet weather.

Appetite

A.£ Unpredictable and variable; sometimes not hungry at mealtimes and hungry between meals.                                                                                                                                              
B.£ Strong; acutely aware of mealtimes, irritable when delaying or missing a meal, can digest large quantities of food.                                                                                                    
C.£ Moderate; can comfortably miss a meal, feels best with smaller quantities of food.

Bowel Movements

   A.£ Irregular, tends toward constipation, hard and dry stool, accompanied by gas.             
   B.£ Regular, two or more bowel movements per day, loose/soft stools, occasional burning.                            C.£ Regular pattern, usually one large, full bowel movement per day.

Sleep

A.£ Light or interrupted, insomnia, 5-7 hours per night.                                                         
B.£ Sound, 6-8 hours per night.                                                                                                   
C.£ Deep, uninterrupted, love to sleep, slow to waken

Dreams

A.£ Flying, running, fear, searching, traveling.                                                                          
B.£ Fire, conflict, anger, vivid colors, passion, jealousy.                                                                      
C.£ Water, romance, sadness, ocean, clouds, short dreams.

Time Orientation

A.£ Selfless, often volunteers to help out.                                                                               
B.£ Works intensely, especially to achieve personal goals.                                                                   
C.£ Procrastinates, sometimes lazy, takes time to complete projects.

Activity Pattern

A.£ Performs activities very quickly, energy levels fluctuate and come in bursts, often multi-tasks, easily distracted and may not complete projects.                                            
B.£ Performs activities intensely and efficiently, perfectionist mindset, likely to become aggravated if interrupted or encounter difficulties.                                                           
C.£ Performs activities slowly, calmly, and deliberately, steady energy level with good endurance and stamina.

Learning Pattern

A.£ Very quick learner, but forgets things easily.                                                               
B.£ Moderately quick learner, clear on details, average memory.                                       
C.£ Slow learner, but never forgets information once it is learned.  

Disease Pattern

A.£ Joint aches, low back pain, indigestion, intestinal gas, constipation, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, weakness, dryness.                                                                                                      
B.£ Skin conditions (rashes, acne), ulcers, inflammations, fevers.                                   
C.£ Respiratory conditions, cough with mucus, sinus/nose/throat congestion, benign growths, obesity, diabetes, fluid retention.

Temperament

A.£ Lively, easily excitable, changeable moods, enthusiastic.                                                       
B.£ Perfectionist, driven, intense, opinionated.                                                             

C.£ Easy-going, calm, satisfied, accepting.

Reaction to Stress

A.£ Fearful, anxious and/or worried.                                                                                   
B.£ Anger, irritability, and/or aggressive.                                                                                        
C.£ Withdrawn and/or reclusive.

Sensitive to:

A.£ Noise.                                                                                                                                  
B.£ Bright lights.                                                                                                             
C.£ Strong odors.

My family and friends might prefer me to be:

A.£ Settled.                                                                                                                                
B.£ Tolerant.                                                                                                                    
C.£ Enthusiastic.

This questionnaire made me feel:

A.£ Indecisive.                                                                                                                           
B.£ Annoyed.                                                                                                                  
C.£ Sleepy.

Final Score:        A._____          B._____          C._____ 

                                   œ                      œ                      œ             

                               Vata                   Pitta              Kapha                         

The letter A corresponds to Vata.  B corresponds to Pitta.  C corresponds to Kapha.   Your predominant dosha(s) determine your Ayurvedic constitution.  Some individuals have one predominant dosha ( either vata, pitta, or kapha ).  Some individuals have two equally predominant doshas ( for example, pitta-vata or kapha-pitta ).  Rarely, a few individuals will have equal proportions of all three doshas.  While not an exact tool, this questionnaire should give you a good idea of your unique Ayurvedic constitution.  A better and more exact determination of your constitution requires the insight and skill-set ( including face, tongue, and pulse diagnosis ) of a trained Ayurvedic practitioner.