Ayurveda (Dosha) types

Ayurveda-Typen Dosha-Wissen Vata-Typ Pitta-Typ Kapha-Typ Mischtypen Ernährungstipps

Ayurveda types – Vata, Pitta, Kapha

Ayurveda defines "dosha" as fundamental regulatory forces that operate in nature and are also present within us. Our Ayurvedic type (dosha type, constitutional type, "prakriti") is determined from birth and shapes not only our physical structure, mental abilities, our skills, and preferences, but also how we react to certain foods, seasons, weather conditions, and the challenges of everyday life.

The doshas can be identified and determined by their characteristics. Depending on which dosha predominates , Ayurveda distinguishes between Vata, Pitta, Kapha, and mixed doshas.

Dosha test: Which dosha type are you?

The free Maharishi Ayurveda Dosha Test gives you an initial insight into your individual dosha distribution.

By simply clicking on the numbers 0–6, you decide how well each statement applies to you: The number 0 means "No, not at all true," the number 6 means "Yes, exactly true." Your choice should be based on how you've felt over the past six months, not just the past week.

At the end of our dosha test, you will find out which dosha (highest score) is most pronounced in you and what that means for you.

TO THE DOSHA TEST

Often, the results of this simple test are enough to help you live (again) more in harmony with your own nature and thus a healthier life. For a more in-depth, individualized analysis, we recommend consulting an experienced practitioner familiar with Maharishi ^Ayurveda® .

Would you like to support your health even more specifically? Get personal advice from an experienced Maharishi Ayurveda® expert – tailored to you and your individual needs.

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What does the dosha test say?

The Dosha test helps you

get to know yourself, your abilities and your needs better,
To optimally develop your personal potential,
to live in harmony with your own constitution and thus
to live a life of health and joy.

“Who am I?” – What your Ayurveda type reveals about you!

Der Ayurveda-Typ bzw. Konstitutions-Typ spiegelt unsere natürliche Dosha-Gewichtung wider, mit der wir bereits geboren wurden. Ayurveda nennt diese charakteristische Konstitution „„Prakriti“. Im Laufe des Lebens ändert sich diese Grundkonstitution nicht fundamental.

Stress, ungesunde Lebensgewohnheiten oder andere Faktoren können die Doshas aus dem Gleichgewicht bringen und dann Einfluss auf unsere angeborene Grundkonstitution haben.

Dieser veränderte Zustand wird im Ayurveda „„Vikriti“ genannt. Wenn das Ungleichgewicht frühzeitig wahrgenommen wird, helfen sehr oft einfache Routine-, Lebens- und Ernährungsempfehlungen, um die natürliche Balance wiederherzustellen.

Daher kann uns das Wissen um unsere Konstitution dabei helfen, unsere Doshas in der für uns optimalen Balance zu halten, unsere Lebenskraft zu stärken und so ein möglichst gesundes, glückliches und erfülltes Leben zu führen.

Vata, Pitta, Kapha, or mixed type? Constitutional types in Ayurveda

Ayurveda considers each person as a unique individual with an interplay of the three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha and their countless characteristics.

According to Ayurveda, a tridosha constitution (equal proportions of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) indicates that the body's biological forces are balanced. This means good structure (Kapha), energy (Pitta), and movement patterns (Vata).

If certain dosha levels are elevated, this leads to certain dosha functions becoming dominant. Balancing the doshas, however, has nothing to do with quantitative proportions, but rather with promoting the normal, healthy functioning of each dosha.

For most people, one or two doshas dominate.

Different doshas also predominate in different phases of life.

According to Ayurveda, childhood and adolescence up to about the age of 30 are governed by Kapha, the structuring principle. During the creative period up to about 60 years, the Pitta principle predominates. This is followed by a period of change and spiritual maturity, governed by the Vata principle.

In total, there are ten different constitutional types, whose characteristics are determined by one or more doshas, resulting in a blend of physical characteristics. The doshas determine certain attributes or characteristics, such as a person's body structure, metabolism, talents, strengths, preferences, and inclinations. The description of constitutional types from an Ayurvedic perspective is very complex and subject to numerous influences.

Dosha types

There is no good or bad assessment of the individual dosha compositions, because every person is unique and all doshas have their own advantages and disadvantages.

1 Vata – Elements of space and air

2 Pitta – Element Fire (and some Water)

3 Kapha – Elements Earth and Water

4 Vata/Pitta

5 Pitta/Vata

6 Kapha/Vata

7 Vata/Kapha

8 Pitta/Kapha

9 Kapha/Pitta

10 Vata-Pitta-Kapha (Tridosha/Sama Dosha)

Learn more about the different Ayurveda types here:

Doing good for yourself – The right choice for your dosha type

Whether it's about a well-tolerated diet or choosing the right aroma oils for room fragrance: A look at your dosha type tells you how you can improve your dosha balance, recharge your batteries, and find more balance.

If your dosha test reveals that several doshas dominate, it is best to follow the recommendations for the predominant dosha type.

Tips for the Vata type Tips for the Pitta type Tips for the Kapha type

The best tips for a successful dosha balance

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

The right seasoning

sweet, sour, salty e.g. anise, asafoetida , basil, fenugreek, fennel, fresh ginger, cardamom, cumin, cloves, mustard seeds, liquorice, cinnamon "Vata Churna"

sweet, bitter, tart mild spices such as fennel, coriander, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, cloves, saffron, cinnamon Pitta Churna

spicy, bitter, tart or astringent e.g. pepper, ginger "Kapha Churna"

Nutrition

warm, well-cooked, nutritious food, eating smaller meals regularly, ghee

Cooling, well-cooked food, keeping to fixed meal times, drinking enough water

Cooked, low-fat, light meals, do not eat too much or too often, fast from time to time

temperature

Warmth of any kind – as a bath, drink, food, weather, etc.

lukewarm water for cooling – as a bath or drink, avoid excessive heat, stay in the shade in summer

hot ginger tea

Fragrances

sweet, heavy, sour

sweet, cooling

bitter, tart, spicy, hot, warming

Aroma oil

Rose oil, basil, geranium, cinnamon, lemon, orange, lavender, lemon balm, ylang-ylang

Rose oil, mint, sandalwood

Juniper, eucalyptus, ginger, camphor, clove, marjoram

Colors

warm, calm, soft, muted; green, beige, pale pink

cool, muted, calm, soft, gentle, earthy; blue, gray, white

colorful, lively, clear

Daily rhythm

go to bed early (until 10 p.m.) and get up early

go to bed early (until 10 p.m.) get up early (until 6 a.m.)

Leisure tip

warm bath after exposure to cold, steam baths, ensure sufficient rest, avoid overstimulation

Forest walks, light/fun entertainment, regular relaxation phases

Sauna, regular exercise, stimulating mental activities

Special Ayurveda tips

Regular oil massages with warm sesame oil or Vata massage oil, Gandharva music

Oil massages with warm coconut oil or Pitta massage oil , Gandharva music

Dry massages with Garshan massage gloves

You can find further tips on a diet tailored to your type in our article “ Ayurvedic tips for nutrition” .

Literature sources

Schrott, Ernst; Schachinger, Wolfgang: Ayurveda. Principles and Applications. 3rd ed. 2016, Trias-Verlag
Bauhofer, Ulrich: More Energy. How We Live in Balance. 2020, Südwest-Verlag