Find your Constitution

While it is always most accurate to be fully evaluated by a trained Ayurvedic practitioner, completing the following questionnaire can give you insight into the balance of energies unique to your body.

As you fill out the following questionnaire, give yourself two points if a statement is clearly true for you. Give yourself one point is it is somewhat true. Give yourself no points if it is clearly not true.

Add up the total number of points for vata, pitta, and kapha. This will give you the relative dominance of each of the forces in your constitution. You may not necessarily be dominant in one type, but may be a unique blend of the three.

1. I am thin and my body build is “slight.”
2. I have a difficult time gaining weight, or I am like a yo-yo going up and down.
3. My skin tends to be dry.
4. I feel cold often compared to others and I do not sweat very easily.
5. My complexion is dull gray or dusty.
6. When my digestion is not normal I tend toward constipation.
7. The shape of my face and jawline is long and narrow.
8. When I am healthy I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, but focusing can be difficult.
9. I am prone to feeling nervous or anxious.
10. I tend to be a light sleeper and often suffer from insomnia.

1. I am of moderate weight and my build is moderate with good muscle tone.
2. My weight is steady and fluctuations are small.
3. My skin tends to be oily.
4. I often feel warm, and sweat easily.
5. My complexion is rosy.
6. My digestion is not normal; I tend toward diarrhea or burning digestion.
7. The shape of my face and jawline is angular.
8. When I am healthy I have a lot of energy and I am very focused.
9. I am prone to feeling irritated, angry, and resentful.
10. I sleep well and wake up easily. I may be awoken by dreams.

1. I am of stocky body build and I often carry some extra weight.
2. It is difficult to lose weight.
3. My skin tends to be oily.
4. I often feel cold, and sweat easily.
5. My complexion is pale.
6. My digestion is generally good, though I may occasionally have some constipation.
7. The shape of my face is round.
8. When healthy I move slowly and have a lot of endurance.
9. I am prone to feeling lethargic and depressed.
10. I sleep deeply and sometimes have a difficult time waking up.
 

                                                                                                                -Dr. Marc Halpern

                                                                                          California College of Ayurveda