Ayurveda

[Christy]

I noticed there was no thread about Ayurveda. Anyone interested or know anything about this? I've PMed zoebird and done google searches. I've been interested for a while, but never knew where to start. Her mentioning that it could direct you not only in your diet, but also the most beneficial form of exercise really peaked my interest.

Here are some quizzes to determine your type, or dosha:
http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Quiz/AyurvedicQuiz.html
http://www.indiaoz.com.au/health/ayurveda/bodytype.shtml
http://www.allayurveda.com/know_qs.htm

Other sites:
http://www.allayurveda.com/know_charact.htm
http://www.naturalhealthschool.com/17_1.html
http://www.holistichealthtopics.com/HMG/body.html
http://www.lifespa.com/Ayurvedic%20Health%20Care%20Products/Life%20Spa%20Library/ayurintro.htm

On the first quiz, I got Vata = 8, Pitta = 14, and Kapha = 5. On the second one, I got 3% Vata, 21: Pitta, and ?% Kapha (what was it, zoebird?). On the last one, I got only Pitta (single dosha type). Some of the questions were difficult to decide, since it could have been more than one answer, or depended on my mood. She suggested I re-take them over a few days to get an average.

I'm not sure what I think of all this yet. Anyone have any insights?

[missleigh]

It has been suggested to me by a co-worker/nutritionist/yoga teacher that I may have an imbalance as far as my doshas go, so I have been reading up a bit on it also. It's really interesting! I'm looking forward to reading what someone who has experience with this has to say.

[clickman]

Your scores for each Ayurvedic Body Type are:
Vata = 10
Pitta = 10
Kapha = 7

[Jinga]

Your scores for each Ayurvedic Body Type are:
Vata = 13
Pitta = 6
Kapha = 8
Your body type should be the one with the largest score, although some people are mixed types


... Too bad I have no idea what this means :help:

[Christy]

from http://www.allayurveda.com/know_charact.htm


VATA
Physically such people are either very tall or very short, non- muscular, with thin and bony limbs and have a quick gait with short fast steps. Skin is generally thin, darkish and cool. The hair is thin, dark, coarse and either kinky or curly. The face is usually long and angular, often with an underdeveloped chin. The neck is thin and scrawny. Nose is small and narrow. May be long, crooked or asymmetrical also. Eyes tend to be small, narrow or sunken, dark brown or gray in color, with dull luster. The mouth being small, with thin, narrow or tight lips. Teeth are irregular, protruding, or broken, set in receding gums. And while the voice is weak, low or cracked, speech is fast with interruptions.

Creativity ~ Enthusiasm ~ Freedom ~ Generosity ~ Joy ~ Vitality

Vata people have restless minds and weak memories. They avoid confrontation. Have active and sensitive natures and express themselves through sport and creative pursuits. Likely to be artistic and creative with a good imagination, they will sometimes overindulge in pleasures. And are sexually the most active. Fearful, worrisome and anxious they are into questioning, theorising and over-analysis. Often dissatisfied with and unable to sustain friendships, they spend money quickly, often on trifles. With light, interrupted sleep of 5-7 hours a day.


PITTA
A moderately well developed physique with mascular limbs and a purposeful, stable gait of medium speed. With a loud, strong voice and precise, convincing speech. The skin is fair, soft, lusterous, warm, and tends to burn easily in the sun – has freckles, many moles, and a tendency to rashes. And the bodies are hot and sweaty. Characterised by fine and soft, either fair or reddish hair that tends to gray soon. Face is heart-shaped, often with a pointed chin. While the neck is proportionate and of average size. A neat, pointed, and average sized nose matches the average sized eyes that are either light blue, light gray or hazel in color, with an intense luster which get red in summer or after bathing. The mouth being medium, with average lips and medium-sized, yellowish teeth.

Ambition ~ Concentration ~ Confidence ~ Courage ~ Enthusiasm for knowledge ~ Happiness ~ Intelligence

Pittas have an intellectual and precise disposition due to a very alert, focussed mind. Sharp and knife-like in anger, they are irritable, jealous and aggressive by nature. Discriminating and judgemental, they are articulate, learned and proud. With a developed sense of responsibility, they can take decisions and organise affairs well. Argumentative, but with a sense of humour, their selectively excellent memory makes them fast learners. Moderately passionate in their sexual pursuits, they spend moderately, usually on luxuries.


KAPHA
A thick, broad, well-developed frame and large, long limbs go well with a pleasant, deep and resonant voice with low, slow, rhythmic speech. The skin is usually thick, oily, pale or white and cold. Plentiful, thick, wavy, lusterous and generally brown hair is set on a large, rounded and full face. The neck is solid, with a near tree-trunk quality. A large, rounded nose and large, attractive, blue or light brown in color eyes are found in a mouth that is large with big, full lips. Teeth too are big and white and set in strong gums.

Caring ~ Centeredness ~ Compassion ~ Contentment ~ Faith ~ Fulfillment ~ Groundedness ~ Patience ~ Sense of being nourished ~ Stability ~ Support ~ Tenderness

Kapha predominated people are calm, steady, considerate - stable, patient personalities they are slow to anger. Not easily provoked, once angry they do not calm down easily. They are honourable, true to their word and avoid lies. Loyal, forgiving and understanding, they can be lethargic, even lazy, if not driven by others. Learning may be slow but memory will be strong. Excellent in logical analysis, they take time before reaching conclusions. Long hours of deep sleep and a strong, enduring sex drive come naturally. While they do save money, it does get spent on food. And there can at times be an element of dullness, given that a kapha mind is usually too content to seek fresh mental stimulation.

[Jinga]

I was just taking the quiz on that site. Got a 16-8-8 there. I probably happened upon the info while you were posting. Thanks though :D

[Scorpius]

First one:
Your scores for each Ayurvedic Body Type are:
Vata = 8
Pitta = 9
Kapha = 10
Your body type should be the one with the largest score, although some people are mixed types

Second:
VATA: 5%
PITTA: 18%
KAPHA: 9%

Third:
Couldn't find out the answer!!

[veganprincess]

from what I understand, your primary dosha shows which element you're lacking. i've done a number of tests before, and I think my dosha is vata, although i do not fit the description precisely. to be in optimal health, all doshas should be balanced. this can be achieved through the foods that you eat and the exercises you do, etc. some people think that dosha = body type but it's not (this is from what i've read). there is actually another name for our body type in ayurveda, but i can't recall it now.
i'd like to learn more about ayurveda though. i have limited knowledge. :)

[misq17]

Your scores for each Ayurvedic Body Type are:
Vata = 15
Pitta = 7
Kapha = 5

ETA: but reading the description it doesnt fit me so well, none of them really do.

[veganprincess]

then again, some tests show that my dosha is pitta. i must be a mix.

[slynny]

My score on the first:
Vata = 27
Pitta = 0
Kapha = 0

on the second:
Vata = 14
pitta = 6
Kapha= 11

and according to the third:
I am a single dosha type...Vata.

Vata people have restless minds and weak memories. They avoid confrontation. Have active and sensitive natures and express themselves through sport and creative pursuits. Likely to be artistic and creative with a good imagination, they will sometimes overindulge in pleasures. And are sexually the most active. Fearful, worrisome and anxious they are into questioning, theorising and over-analysis. Often dissatisfied with and unable to sustain friendships, they spend money quickly, often on trifles. With light, interrupted sleep of 5-7 hours a day.

OK, well I agree with most of this except for this part:
Often dissatisfied with and unable to sustain friendships, they spend money quickly, often on trifles. With light, interrupted sleep of 5-7 hours a day.
Not me at all.
I have many long time friends.
I am cheap and don't spend money on things I don't need.
I need 8 to 11 hours of sleep.
:)

[rainbowmoon]

test 1-
Your scores for each Ayurvedic Body Type are:
Vata = 9
Pitta = 4
Kapha = 14

test 2-
vata- 7%
pitta- 7%
kapha- 19%

test 3-
Single dosha, Kapha.

So, I guess I am pretty Kapha all across the board.

KAPHA
A thick, broad, well-developed frame and large, long limbs go well with a pleasant, deep and resonant voice with low, slow, rhythmic speech. The skin is usually thick, oily, pale or white and cold. Plentiful, thick, wavy, lusterous and generally brown hair is set on a large, rounded and full face. The neck is solid, with a near tree-trunk quality. A large, rounded nose and large, attractive, blue or light brown in color eyes are found in a mouth that is large with big, full lips. Teeth too are big and white and set in strong gums.

Caring ~ Centeredness ~ Compassion ~ Contentment ~ Faith ~ Fulfillment ~ Groundedness ~ Patience ~ Sense of being nourished ~ Stability ~ Support ~ Tenderness

Kapha predominated people are calm, steady, considerate - stable, patient personalities they are slow to anger. Not easily provoked, once angry they do not calm down easily. They are honourable, true to their word and avoid lies. Loyal, forgiving and understanding, they can be lethargic, even lazy, if not driven by others. Learning may be slow but memory will be strong. Excellent in logical analysis, they take time before reaching conclusions. Long hours of deep sleep and a strong, enduring sex drive come naturally. While they do save money, it does get spent on food. And there can at times be an element of dullness, given that a kapha mind is usually too content to seek fresh mental stimulation.

i italicized all the things that don't seem to fit me.

[carnelian]

I only did the first test...Ayurvedic Body Type...and my scores were:

11
8
8

[zoebird]

so, reading the descriptions posted, a lot of us can figure out what sorts of thigns to eat that will help us balance out,and what sorts of things aggrivate us--based on body type. sports, sleep schedules, work, all these can be tossed in based on the types above too.

it's a really comprehensive system. pretty interesting. :) i'llgive more infor later.

[EmZaf]

I've been eating and exercising according to my body constitution for several years now. It's totally worth your time to check out which foods are most suitable for your dosha. You may even be surprised to find some foods that always seemed to disagree with you disagreed for a reason...

Thanks for posting this topic. Ayurvedic living is a great way to get in touch with your body rhythms and bring everything into balance.

[rainbowmoon]

I have been very interested in Ayurveda for a long time and I have read a few books on it. What is confusing to me is how you can be sure about which dosha you fit into. Although I always, always test strongly kapha and the other two are usually in close balance, there are some things about myself which I see are definatley NOT kapha- for example, I am always warm, red faced, my skin is not pale, and I have a tendancy to be nervous, jumpy, and apprehensive- all of which are not kapha traits. So, I sort of don't get it, because I think my physical charachteristics are pretty kapha but mentally/psychologically, I see a mix. I also don't understand how the types fit together or how they are practically applied- am I supposed to avoid kapha foods because they will make me more kapha?
I better do some reading. :yes:

[Christy]

zoebird (or anyone?) - Can you recommend a book or guide to this?

I took the tests again today and got basically the same results, with maybe a one point or percent difference. I may take them again in a day or two. I think I'm mostly pitta, with several vata and a few kapha tendencies.

[zoebird]

a simple read that goes through a lot of thigns (and has a test in there to boot) is John Douillard's Body, Mind, and Sport. It's not veg, per se, so it deviates from "strictly traditional" ayurveda, but the book is a really good western look at how things work. It goes over just aobut everything you can imagine (including rainbow's questions, because most of us are a mix in one way or another), and makes for pretty easy reading and application.

do not be put off by meat-related suggestions. It may say "red meat is healthy for this body type" but that doesnt mean that ou have to eat it. his primary audience is not vegetarians, or even yogins per se, but rather general athletes looking to hvae optimal health and better performance. It's accessable and fun. :)

[Tiggzie]

This is interesting. I took all three tests and all three numbers always seemed close together with Kapha and Vata being the highest (tied). On the third test I got:
You are a Triple dosha type person
Type - Vata, Pitta, Kapha

What does that mean? How come everyone else got one type?

[EmZaf]

Christy13

I would recommend The Science of Self Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad.

[zoebird]

Tiggze:

it could mean any number of things, but mostly that you're probably a blended type (of two dominant types) with an imbalance in the third direction. So, that can happen. :)

don't worry about it. :)

[Christy]

I'm looking into books now, including:
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing by Vasant Lad (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0914955004/qid=1096304515/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/103-5274115-8735053?v=glance&s=books) suggested by EmZaf and
Body, Mind and Sport: The Mind-Body Guide to Lifelong Health, Fitness, and Your Personal Best by John Douillard, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0609807897/qid=1096305286/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/103-5274115-8735053) suggested by zoebird.

I'm also looking into a few others:
-Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda by Pratima Raichur, Mariam Cohn (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060929103/qid=1096304515/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/103-5274115-8735053?v=glance&s=books) (my skin issues are definitely a main motivator, along with fitness)
-Book Of Ayurveda by Judith Morrison (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684800179/qid=1096304963/sr=1-13/ref=sr_1_13/103-5274115-8735053?v=glance&s=books)
-The Handbook of Ayurveda: India's Medical Wisdom Explained by Shantha Godagama, Liz Hodgkinson (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1556435010/qid=1096304963/sr=1-19/ref=sr_1_19/103-5274115-8735053?v=glance&s=books)
-What's Your Dosha, Baby?: Discover the Vedic Way for Compatibility in Life and Love by Lisa Marie Coffey, Vasant, Dr. Lad (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569244723/qid=1096305174/sr=1-25/ref=sr_1_25/103-5274115-8735053?v=glance&s=books)

Anyone read any of these? I'm not sure what I'm looking for, maybe part guidebook, part explanation/history.