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What is my mind-body type? What does it mean?

The more points you have collected in one dosha, the more this type of energy predominates in you. If you have as many or more points for one energy type compared to the other two together, then you are a monotype. If you have two doshas of approximately the same strength, read about both. Incidentally, most people are a double dosha type, meaning that they have two doshas clearly pronounced. If your points in all three elements are mostly evenly, then you are a rare tridosha type.

When looking at the results of the dosha test, you will see a total and two subcategories “physical” and “mental-emotional”. Use them together to understand yourself even better. Most importantly look at the main result to see which dosha/s are dominant. Now and then it is the case that we have a different mental-emotional expression.

Although this test does not replace a thorough constitutional analysis from an Ayurvedic doctor, you can use the results to understand yourself better and to start self-experimenting. You now have a few points of reference-based information to work on your habits, daily routines, diet, mindset. Depending on which areas you want to evolve, listen to how your system reacts to changes physically, mentally and emotionally. As a result, this test can help you to improve your perception and to strengthen your intuition; the best guides for long-term, vibrant health and happiness. If you start noticing an imbalance at an early stage, you have the possibility to counteract for a rebalancing action.

Vata

Vata stands for movement and consists of the elements air and ether. This dosha regulates all movement processes and activities in the body. It controls the movements of the limbs and muscles and how the internal organs are processed. Vata is responsible for regulating all circulatory systems, for breathing and the nervous system.

Vata can be quite variable like the weather in England. One moment it’s stormy and rainy, and a couple of hours later it’s sunny before it gets bitterly cold and windy. The same characteristics are found in people with a predominant Vata dosha – they change consistently.

Physical level

Vata personalities have a pronounced urge to move; they are continuously active and love all kinds of movements. Vata is the dosha of extremes: they are often very large or tiny, can have particularly long legs or arms, or particularly short. Typically they have a slender appearance and a rather delicate and sinewy stature. They tend to have fuzzy hair, thin and dry skin and often have tooth problems.

Vata’s musculoskeletal system is susceptible to pain, especially in the lower back, joints and jaw. Furthermore, they tend to feel the cold, especially on the extremities. Their sleep is usually not deep and solid, and imbalances often lead to sleep disorders. The metabolism of Vata is variable, with a tendency to constipation and dry stool, possibly alternating with diarrhoea. Because of its sensitivity, Vata is prone to intolerances and allergies.

If Vata is unbalanced it can show on a physical level: twitches, tics, tremors, spasms, dry or chapped skin, constipation, gas, bloating, dry and hard stools, low body weight, dislike of cold and wind, sensitivity towards light, insomnia, joint problems, dry skin and hair, pain and stiffness in the body, nerve disorders, heart diseases.

Mental-emotional level

If Vata is in balance, it evokes creativity, flexibility and ease. Vata personalities are very diverse and full of ideas and often spiritually active. They are very curious, get enthusiastic about new projects and love change. Vata’s great strength is communication; inventive thinking, dynamic writing, and engaging speech. These people are very open and sociable towards others.

Vatas are quick to feel, express themselves, and let go of emotions. Their spontaneity and playful spirit keep life fresh and lively. Another essential feature is that they maintain their concentration well for a short period of time, but have difficulty sticking to one thing over a long period of time. That’s the reason why they often start several projects at the same time and only complete a small part of them. The same can happen in their social connections, where they tend to lose interest quite quickly.

When experiencing an imbalance, Vata tends to be nervous and restless, they worry, are fearful and also tend towards mental and psychosomatic illnesses. The trigger for this can be physical or mental overload, excessive demands and a missing rhythm of life.

Other symptoms of a Vata imbalance can be nervousness, anxiety, panic attacks, excess thinking, spacey and scattered feeling, difficulty tolerating loud noises, hypersensitivity. Vata needs and loves a steady rhythm of life. That is why they benefit highly from a lifestyle that is marked by routine, nourishment, serenity and warming foods.

Pitta

Pitta combines the elements of fire and water and stands for warmth and transformation. It is responsible for all transformation processes in the body. Everything that we eat or absorb is processed and digested by Pitta. Pitta types are the metabolism and digestion pros and regulate all biochemical processes in the body. Moreover, Pitta regulates body temperature and our hormonal balance. Hunger, thirst, and even intelligence are ruled by it as well. The heat leads to a sharp mind and a high demand in their life.

Physical level

Pitta people often have well-developed muscles and are generally well proportioned physically and are of average stature. This type is often somewhere between Vata and Kapha with medium-sized eyes and a piercing glance. Usually, Pittas emit clarity and radiance, and others easily feel attracted by that strength.

They are very enthusiastic about sports and love challenges and competition with others. As they can be quite persistent and have a great energy potential, they love to feel their bodies advance physically, and they love it when the sweat drips!

Pitta types are fiery and driven. Their memory is precise, and their speech is direct and clear. Another characteristic is that they feel very warm or too hot quickly. They have the fastest metabolism and can digest everything at high speed. Ordinarily, they eat regularly and are very hungry and thirsty and find it difficult to skip a meal without getting hangry. The gums tend to bleed easily, and their teeth are more yellowish than white. Pittas are hard-working and often have a hard time relaxing. This can lead to sleep disorders, and if overworking consistently, they are prone to burn-out.

As Pittas want to do everything perfectly, too much heat can develop in their system and cause all kinds of diseases and imbalances like conjunctivitis, gastritis, hepatitis, thyroiditis, amongst others. However also strokes, heart diseases, chronic hormonal diseases like Hashimoto and liver diseases can appear. Their tendency to do everything very quickly and efficiently from eating to overworking, to talking, can create a lot of stress and pressure in their system and deplete their resources and lead to early greying and/or loss of hair, hot flushes, diarrhoea, nausea, hyperacidity, stomach and intestinal ulcers. If the heat persists over a longer time, Pittas are prone to have skin problems like acne, eczema, furuncles and abscesses.

Pittas are very persistent, and if they plan to do something, they will finish it whatever gets in their way. Resulting in losing joy and serenity in their life. Other hormonal imbalances are often rooted in a Pitta imbalance such as infertility and menstruation problems.

Mental-emotional level

Pittas are the planners and love to guide and manage people. Their fiery nature makes them clear communicators that quickly get to the point. Their language is unambiguous without complaining or digress. Pitta types are very sharp, have great intellects and a good memory. They like to debate and discuss. If Pitta is in equilibrium, it ensures high learning ability, perseverance and determination. When Pitta types thrive, they are goal-oriented, ambitious, and passionate.

Pittas have a high level of assertiveness, which is why they often can be found in management positions. However, they also tend to be bossy and to dominate others. Due to their high level of ambition, they sometimes follow their goals with dogged determination. This can result in putting themselves even more under pressure and can create an atmosphere of stress and tension around them. If this happens, they lose their emotional balance and can become irritable and anxious, angry, furious, jealous or resentful.

Friends, family and colleagues can tell when Pittas run hot and need to cool off. Pitta needs to learn to relax and enjoy life. They benefit highly from a lifestyle that is marked by regular breaks and relaxation exercises. Regular detoxes, green veggies and dishes of normal size are important for them.

Kapha

With the Kapha type, the elements of water and earth unite. Kapha represents strength and stability and is responsible for tissue development, physical strength and the immune system. It also regulates body fluids like the lymphatic system. Children grow with the help of Kapha and injuries heal quickly when this dosha is balanced. It is the most relaxed of all doshas with a happy mindset that wants to enjoy life fully. It unites characteristics such as heavy, slow, and steady and on the other hand, also soft, dense, tough, and cold.

Physical level

Kapha is the most stable dosha. It has vast energy reserves and excellent stamina, even if they often not aware of that. They’re hard to get going, but when they run they run forever and with loyalty. Kaphas have a super stable immune system and rarely get seriously ill. If so, then often in the area of the lungs, bronchial tubes or sinuses. Kapha’s skin is even and beautiful, and their hair is usually strong.

With a round physique, beautiful eyes, well-shaped mouth, smooth porcelain skin and often snow-white teeth they can resemble a fat round buddha. They are very resilient, are not very hungry, but still, tend to overeat and enjoy food most of all doshas. Since the metabolism is stable but very slow, Kapha becomes easily overweight and even obese and diabetic.

Their sleep is deep and profound, and if their dosha is unbalanced, they tend to be excessive sleepers. Furthermore, a Kapha out of sync can manifest in cardiac diseases, fluid retention, allergies, asthma, itching over the body, vomiting, chronic rhinitis, bronchitis, sensation in lips, throat, tongue, gums, palate, nose, eyes and ears.

Mental-emotional level

Kaphas are strong, loyal, patient, steady, and supportive and great to have as friends. When Kapha is in balance, they are relaxed with others and themselves. They are the born managers with their calm and grounded presence and are known for a loyal personality. As a result, Kaphas have the least tendencies towards mental disorders or psychosomatic illnesses. However, their admirable loyalty can lead to holding onto things, jobs and people that no longer nourish and serve them.

They like things to stay the way they are and feel resistance to big changes and failing important decisions. Kaphas heavy, slow nature can get stuck, stubborn and immobile. This can influence their mood, and they are prone to get pensive, sluggish and depressive when they are unhappy with their life. Their pronounced long-term memory never forgets any experiences. When imbalanced, Kaphas tend to accumulate possessions and can get greedy and complacent. Then it takes them a great deal of time to get things done, and they withdraw into seclusion.

Kapha needs to understand that endurance and abundance are its gifts. But it needs to learn to receive these gifts as it is not naturally doing that. A Kapha-dominated person benefits greatly from regular exercise, deep massage with warming oils and to eat less than is offered. They need regular stimulation to stay in the flow, and a change in profession or place of residence from time to time can be beneficial.

You want to learn more about your dosha?

Then read my article: “What ́s your type of self-sabotage? And how to overcome it.”

Discover my online program Embody to Thrive and become your own self-healer.

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