Dosha Quiz

What is a dosha, and why take a test? 

We all have some aspect of the three doshas; vata, pitta, and kapha – in a specific and individual combination. This individualized, balanced state is called prakruti (or prakriti), or our constitutional nature. It is present at birth and remains throughout life. Our prakruti can seem different at different stages of our life, yet our bones are still our bones, just older, as is true with our eyes and so on. They, along with our DNA, are downloaded at birth.  Think of your dosha prakruti as your relationship to the elements and your inner nature. We all strive to stay in balance with our true nature, and while we may go in and out of balance (Vikruti) we can always find our way back to our prakruti. We know we are there, or close, when we are feeling healthy in our body, mind and spirit.

By understanding your ‘secret sauce’ or constitutional nature through your dosha, you gain insights to manage your daily habits, nutritional choices, and even your yoga practices. This knowledge empowers you to lead a happier, healthier life with greater ease. Viewing yourself through the lens of the doshas, as you will in this assessment, provides a roadmap for creating balance and returning to your true nature when you veer off balance (Vikruti). 

It’s important to note: There’s no ‘best’ dosha to have! While you might discover the dominance of one dosha in your prakruti (single dosha nature), most will find that they have two more dominant doshas (dual dosha). A few might even have an almost equal amount of all three (tri-dosha) in their nature. Having one, two, or all three doshas in dominance is not a measure of superiority or inferiority. We are all unique, with our own distinct needs and tendencies. So, embrace this journey of self-discovery and if you’re eager to delve deeper, we have a wealth of resources to support your interest in Ayurveda.

Instructions:

Please read each question and answer from the point of view of what is most often true. Do not look at just the past few weeks; rather, think back to your general tendency. At the end of the assessment, count the number of points from each column. Your prakruti is reflected in the one or two doshas that are highest numerically. Remember that most of us are dual dosha, or two numbers higher than the third. Others will have one dosha number significantly higher than the others, and finally, a few folks will have all three doshas with an almost even number.