What’s Your Dosha?

Vata
Physical characteristics

• Slender and does not put on weight easily
• Height is taller or shorter than average
• Hair, neck are all 'thin'
• Energy fluctuates and comes in bursts
• Appetite is variable
• There is a tendency to become constipated
• Skin frequently becomes dry
• Cold hands and feet
• Light sleeper and may even have difficulty falling asleep
• Prefers warm, moist weather to cold weather

Psychological characteristics

• Creative and imaginative
• Artistic
• Active and restless
• Quick learner but forgets quickly
• Becomes 'spaced out' quite easily
• Tendency to feel anxious, nervous and insecure
• Speaks quickly and uses hand gestures
• Always on the go
• Irregular routine
• Often has colourful dreams

Suggested affirmations and practice

• Affirm "All is well. There is no need to worry about anything"
• Practise meditation to become more grounded.
• Take up a creative hobby, and pursue it in a sustained manner

Pitta
Physical characteristics

• Medium builds. Gains and puts on weight easily
• Average height
• Pointed features
• Energy levels high
• Strong appetite
• Regular bowel movements. Occasional bouts of diarrhoea
• Oily skin. Reddish tone
• Easy perspiration

Penetrating eyes

• Prefers cool weather. May become irrit-able in hot weather

Psychological characteristics

• Goal-oriented
• Good sense of humour
• Strong intellect. Likes learning new things.
• Natural ability to lead
• Critical of self and others
• Perfectionist
• Tends to become angry and irritable
• Becomes irritable if meal skipped
• Stubborn
• Enjoys competition

Suggested affirmations and practice

• Affirm "I shall do my best and leave the rest to the Divine."
• Practice meditation to control anger and judgmental nature
• Be less critical and more accepting

Kapha
Physical characteristics

• Gains weight easily. Loses weight with difficulty
• Short and stocky or tall and sturdy
• Hair, neck are all 'thick'
• Abundant strength and stamina
• Weak digestion. Feels heavy after eating
• Regular bowel movements
• Oily skin. Smooth and pale
• Sleeps easily and soundly
• Catches cold easily
• Prefers hot weather

Psychological characteristics

• Large-hearted
• Calm nature
• Prefers slow, relaxed lifestyle.
• Not a very quick learner but excellent long term memory
• Sentimental. Often thinks of past
• Methodical
• Protective of self and family
• Lets negative emotions build up rather than addressing them
• Lets others take the lead.
• Natural listener who many people confide in.

Suggested affirmations and practice

• Affirm "All that is there is the present moment alone"
• Practise meditation to become less emotional and detached.
• Make regular physical exertion part of your routine.