Instructions: To determine your constitution it is best to fill out the chart twice. First, base your choices on what is most consistent over your lifetime (your prakruti); then fill it out a second time responding to how you have been feeling more recently – the past 30-90 days (your vikruti). Sometimes it helps to have a friend ask you the questions and fill in the chart with you, as they may have insight (and impartiality) to offer. Each time, add up the number of marks under vata, pitta and kapha. This will help you discover your own ratio of doshas in your prakruti and vikruti. Most people have one dosha predominant; a few have two approximately equal; even fewer have all three in equal proportion.
PERMANENT CHARACTERISTICS
OBSERVATIONS
VPK
VATA
PITTA
KAPHA
Body size
Slim
Medium
Large
Chin
Thin, angular
Tapering
Rounded, double
Cheeks
Wrinkled, sunken
Smooth flat
Rounded, plump
Eyes
Small, sunken, dry, active, black, brown, nervous
Sharp, bright, gray, green, yellow/red, sensitive to light
Big, beautiful, blue, calm, loving
Nose
Uneven shape, deviated septum
Long pointed, red nose-tip
Short rounded, button nose
Lips
Dry, cracked, black/brown tinge
Red, inflamed, yellowish
Smooth, oily, pale, whitish
Teeth
Stick out, big, roomy, thin gums
Medium, soft, tender gums
Healthy, white, strong gums
Skin
Thin, dry, cold, rough, dark
Smooth, oily, warm, rosy
Thick, oily, cool, white, pale
Hair
Dry brown, black, knotted, brittle, scarce
Straight, oily, blond, gray, red, bald
Thick, curly, oily, wavy, luxuriant
Nails
Dry, rough, brittle, break easily
Sharp, flexible, pink, lustrous
Thick, oily, smooth, polished
Neck
Thin, tall
Medium
Big, folded
Chest
Flat, sunken
Moderate
Expanded, round
Belly
Thin, flat, sunken
Moderate
Big, pot-bellied
Belly-button
Small, irregular, herniated
Oval, superficial
Big, deep, round, stretched
Hips
Slender, thin
Moderate
Heavy, big
Joints
Cold, cracking
Moderate
Large, lubricated
VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS
OBSERVATIONS
VPK
VATA
PITTA
KAPHA
Body weight
Low
Medium
Overweight
Appetite
Irregular, scanty
Strong, unbearable
Slow but steady
Digestion
Irregular, forms gas
Quick, causes burning
Prolonged, forms mucous
Taste
Sweet, sour, salty
Sweet, bitter, astringent
Bitter, pungent, astringent
Thirst
Changeable
Surplus
Sparse
Elimination
Constipation
Loose
Thick, oily, sluggish
Physical Activity
Hyperactive
Moderate
Slow
Mental Activity
Hyperactive
Moderate
Dull, slow
Emotions
Anxiety, fear, uncertainty
Anger, hate, jealousy
Calm, greedy, attachment
Faith
Variable
Extremist
Consistent
Intellect
Quick but faulty response
Accurate response
Slow, exact
Recollection
Recent good, remote poor
Distinct
Slow and sustained
Dreams
Quick, active, many, fearful
Fiery, war, violence
Lakes, snow, romantic
Sleep
Scanty, broken up, sleeplessness
Little but sound
Deep, prolonged
Speech
Rapid, unclear
Sharp, penetrating
Slow, monotonous
Financial
Poor, spends on trifles
Spends money on luxuries
Rich, good money preserver
TOTAL
Published with the kind permission of: The Ayurvedic Institute.
The Ayurvedic Institute, recognized as a leading Ayurvedic school and Ayurveda health spa outside of India, was established in 1984 to teach the traditional Ayurvedic medicine of India and to provide these ancient therapies. Ayurvedic healing includes herbs, nutrition, panchakarma cleansing, acupressure massage, Yoga, Sanskrit, and Jyotish (Vedic astrology).
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