dosha test

[chickpea]

Shelley I remember you saying you were going to develop your own dosha test. There seems to be an error on the nature's formulary test and wondering if you had developed yours yet? Looking forward to it
Thanks
Anne

[shelley]

oh thanks for asking! I have written it up and I could use a few volunteers to "beta test it" as it were. The code for adding it up automatically hasn't been added yet, but you can use a calculator, there are only 22 points possible. Let me see if I can copy and paste it here. If not I'll have to e-mail it I think.

[Invincible]

I'll be happy to test it!

[h0ppy]

Test me!

[shelley]

e-mail me Hoppy and I'll send you the test.

[Invincible]

Hi Shelley

I got the email with the Dosha test.

My score was 22 Vata/ 19 Pitta - no Kapha score.

I feel like a Vata but act like a Pitta.

[shelley]

is that accurate for you?

[Invincible]

Hi Shelley

I think it is - since all other online tests have brought me to a similar % score. Sometimes I had around 10% kapha (more because I over eat)

The part that was MOST useful was giving examples of famous personalities - that seemed to create immediate images that I could link with ... so it would be good to add more names to each dosha type.

My problem is always which diet to work with - Vata or Pitta. I guess I have more Pitta symptoms (acne) but then again I have some Vata fear too.

[shelley]

Great feedback, thanks! Very helpful.

A combo dosha of Vata/Pitta gives you a LOT of leeway in your diet. In the winter, accent Vata with Pitta recommendations being secondary, just part of the week. In the summer, accent Pitta.

Acne, while Pitta, can have so many reasons for being there that it's best to just go thru the list and take care of each bit until it's gone, such as bowel cleansing, B vits, adequate stomach acid.

[chickpea]

Hi Shelley

I'm finding it really difficult to do dosha tests!!! I often identify with all of the categories. What dosha is most indecisive? Perhaps that will help me

For example,
I'm tallish 5'7", thin to medium build(vata/pitta) but sort of voluptuous (kapha) (big boobs!).
I do gain wait easily but lose easily (pitta), hardly sweat at all (vata), Generally feel fear (vata) but quickly get jealous (pitta) and possessive (kapha)
Tend to create mucous (kapha), but get constipated (vata)
Skin tends to be dryish, get itchy patches (pityriasis rosacea) (vata/pitta)
Feel energetic when eat lightly/fast (kapha) but feel grounded when I eat a lot (vata?)
Dreams....usually flying and fearful (vata)
Have interrupted sleep, with going to the loo (vata), but sleep long (kapha)
Not generally enthusiastic and lively though can be (vata/kapha)
Can be quiet and speak slow (kapha) but can also be very chatty and speak fast (vata)
Favourite tastes...definitely sweet (kapha?) and love things like cinnamon, cumin

Sorry for all the info but I'M LOST!!
It's probably a toss up between vata and kapha with pitta coming a closeish 3rd!
What do you think?
Cheers
Anne

[shelley]

I'd say physically you're more Kapha, apart from the dry skin. So when it comes to diet and such, stick to Kapha balancing rules whenever weight or mucuos is an issue.

We can be physically one dosha and mentally/emotionally a completely different dosha. So physically we do the things that balance our physical dosha, and then mentally/emotionally we do the things that balance that dosha.

For instance, if you are mostly Kapha physical and Vata mental/emotional, you would want to eat a Kapha pacifying diet but comfort and balance and ground yourself with Vata type scents, music, meditation and exercise. A total Kapha person would find Vata type music and scents too soporific, boring and slow. But for hyperactive Vata type worriers and over-thinkers it's ideal.

Try to satisfy your cravings for sweets via tea. The Vata tea from Maharsihi Ayur-Ved would be great. It tastes very sweet but is not high calorie. Or add Stevia drops to any other tea you like.

[chickpea]

Thanks Shelley, it makes sense to use different approaches to the mental and emotional
I've never heard of that tea, I'll see if I can get hold of some and I've been meaning to get some stevia so I think this is the time! I suppose a kapha reducing diet means to watch my intake of all the foods that I comfort myself with eg sweet potatoes and nuts I'll have to think of different ideas to satisfy my sweet tooth without upsetting kapha...perhaps poached pears with cinnamon
Also thanks re the body temperature reply. I didn't realise I was slightly below normal and will start on the zinc!
Thank you
Anne

[sunlover]

Shelley,
I redid the dosha test and it shows I'm 45% kapha, 29% vata, 25% pitta. This makes more sense, reading the kapha descriptions it sounds so much like a taurus, and i have a lot taurus in my chart, and I crave heavy sweet foods and am prone to becoming sluggish. I'm happiest in summer time and in warmer dryer weather because it makes me feel more stimulated and alive. I'm looking thru your recipes, would broths, soups, kichadi, the protein shake and cleansing drink be ok for balancing my kapha?
Thanks

[shelley]

Yep, Taurus and Kapha definitely have tons in common! I was going to include astrology/birthdates in my Dosha test but not everyone is into astrology so... I left it out. Maybe I should have left it in, because the bit about Taurus was in there at one point!

Yes, those recipes are ideal for balancing Kapha. Most of the essential recipes are Tri-Doshic, meaning they will help any Dosha. Some of them should be altered a tad for Pitta people, such as less ginger in the Kichadi for a true Pitta person with strong digestion. but I can't think of any alterations a Kapha person would need to make.

[Invincible]

Yes, Taurus and Kapha are definately connected!

My boyfriend and sister are both Taurus and they are approx 60% Kapha (on Dosha tests) ... and I know Chickpea is Capricorn so that links in with kapha ...

I am 100% for astrology Shelley - Do you feel most Earth signs tend to be Kapha? Most fire signs tend to be Pitta? Air or water signs ... Vata?

It makes enormous sense that we would be different doshas depending on where our signs are in our natal chart.

I am thinking that our moon signs would be the emotional aspect and possibly mercury would be mind aspect ... and sun and ascendent would be physicial?

The only issue I have with this one is that my Moon is in Virgo but I emotionally feel more Vata.

What do you think?


Oh, if anyone on this thread is interetsed in getting their astrology natal chart positions - give me your D.O.B., place of birth and time of birth and I'll work it out for you.