Constitution and the Three Doshas

Each person possesses a unique constitution that is made up of a combination of the three Doshas called Prakriti. Every person has all three Doshas within them. Vata is our energy and our breath, Pitta is our warmth and transforms substances in our bodies, and Kapha makes up the flesh and secretions. The play of the Doshas and the five elements within us is the same as the play within the universe. The macrocosm is recreated in the microcosm of our body. What makes every person unique is that we all have a different proportion of the Doshas. Typically, one Doshas will dominate in a person and will show clearly in their physical appearance and mental constitution.

When individuals predominate in one Dosha, we could call this pure Vata, pure Pitta, or pure Kapha. Some people may have a dual constitution where two Doshas are more or less in equal proportions. Three different types of dual constitutions exist; Vatta-Pitta, Vata-Kapha, and Pitta-Kapha. There is also the rare type of Vatta-Pitta-Kapha. In total there are seven major types.

By looking at the constitution of an individual Ayurveda can go beyond the pure medical lines of treatment in the form of health education, lifestyle changes, and counseling to help establish full health and wellbeing. While each person will have a unique approach to their own health, Ayurveda’s aim can be summed up in this quote from the Sushruta Samhita, 15.38

sama dasah samagnis ca sama dhatu mala kriyah

prasannatmendriya manah svastha ityabhidhiyate

One who is established in Self, who has balanced the Doshas, balanced agni, properly formed dhatus, proper elimination of wastes, well functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul, and senses are full of bliss, is called a healthy person.

The following is a brief constitution test, that will examine aspects of the physical body; weight, frame, and complexion. There is also a mental constitution that another article will be written on. The list will help you to identify your predominate Dosha. Generally speaking, I believe most people can understand the basics of their Ayurvedic constitution. Consulting an Ayurvedic practioner is always helpful and will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of your own constitution. The Doshas tend to stay constant through our life, but factors like long-term illness or trauma can change it. When going through the list choose the one that has been constant through your life. For example, if you have had a thin frame your whole life except for the last year when you have gained weight, you should choose the thin frame (Vata) as that has been predominant.

Review the following list and circle the characteristics that describe you. Then, total the number circled in each column.

Vata Pitta Kapha

Frame	Tall or short, thin, slender, poorly developed, irregular	Medium, moderate physique, balanced	Stocky, short, big, well developed, balanced
Weight	Low, hard to gain weight, lean, prominent bones, fat stored in midriff “spare tire”	Moderate, average weight, even fat on body	Heavy, tends towards Obesity, easy to gain weight
Complexion	Dull, darkish, grayish	Red, ruddy, flushed, glowing	White, pale
Skin Texture	Dry, cold, cracked, rough, veins are easy to see	Warm, moist, pink, irritable, moles, freckles, acne	Thick, white, moist, smooth,cool, soft
Hair	Dry, scanty, rough, kinky brown, wavy, frizzy	Moderate, fine, early gray, bald, red	Thick, oily, wavy, abundant, lustrous, brown or chocolate
Head	Long, thin, small	Moderate	Large
Face	Thin, long, small, wrinkled	Moderate, ruddy, Sharp features	Large, round, pale, Fat
Forehead	Small, wrinkled	Moderate, folds	Large, broad
Eyebrows	Small, thin	Moderate, fine	Thick, bushy
Eyelashes	Small, dry	Small, fine	Large, thick, firm
Eyes	Small, dry, thin, dull, sunken, grey, violet, slate blue	Medium, easily inflamed, bothered, green, hazel, light blue	Wide, white, almond shaped, large, liquid
Nose	Thin, long, crooked, dry, deviated septum	Medium, moderate	Thick, big
Lips	Thin, small, dry, narrow	Medium, red	Thick, large, smooth
Teeth and Gums	Thin, dry, small, crooked, receding gums	Medium, sharp, soft, pink, gums bleed	Large, thick, white, healthy gums
Neck	Thin, long	Medium	Large, thick
Shoulders	Thin, small, flat, hunched, bad posture	Medium	Broad, thick
Arms	Thin, small or long, Little muscle	Medium	Large, developed
Chest	Thin, small, underdeveloped	Medium	Broad, large
Hands	Small, dry, cold, rough, unsteady	Medium, warm or hot, pink	Large, cool, firm
Thighs	Thin, narrow, underdeveloped	Medium	Large, sturdy
Legs	Thin, short or long, prominent knees	Medium	Large
Calves	Small, hard	Loose	Large
Feet	Small, thin, rough, dry, long	Medium, soft	Large, hard, firm
Joints	Small, thin, cracking, dry, prone to injury	Medium, loose	Large, strong
Nails	Small, thin, dry, hard, brittle, dark, nail bitters	Medium, pink, soft, strong	Large, thick, symmetrical

Malas(wastes) and Agni(digestion)

Vata Pitta Kapha

Urine	Difficult, very little, colorless	Profuse, yellow or red, burning	Moderate, whitish
Feces	Dry, hard, difficult, painful, gas, constipation	Loose, yellowish, prone to diarrhea, burning sensation,abundant	Moderate, solid, pale, mucus in stool
Sweat/ body odor	No smell, little sweat	Abundant, hot, strong smell	Moderate, pleasant smell, consistent
Appetite	Erratic, weak, variable	Strong, sharp	Constant, low
Circulation	Poor, erratic, cold hands and feet	Good, warm or hot	Good, steady, warm
Total	Vata-	Pitta-	Kapha-