Ayurveda, a 5,000 year-old healing modality from India, is based on the science that every one of us was born with a physical and psychological mind-body type or constitution. Discovering and understanding our own unique constitution enables us to keep our mind-body type in balance maintaining our good health. When our mind-body type is out of balance, we become more prone to disease.

According to Ayurveda, there are seven main mind-body types that are a combination of three doshas: Kapha, Pitta and Vata.
All three doshas are present in each individual at all times, but their proportion varies from person to person.
Therefore, ten Kapha individuals, or ten Vata-Pitta individuals, will have ten unique sets of qualities, characteristics and temperaments.

To assess your mind-body type, contact the Healing Quest at 312-664-7979 or click on the link to take the online quiz:
Discover Your Mind-Body Type

Here's some general descriptors of the mono types.

Kapha - Steady, loyal, easygoing, prone to wealth, sedate nature
Kapha people are blessed with a strong, healthy, well-developed body that recovers quickly from illness. One can spot a kapha by their large, attractive eyes, smooth, lustrous skin and thick and/or wavy hair. A kapha person looks calm, quiet, grounded and stable. They have a sweet loving disposition. By nature, they are peaceful, patient, tolerant, caring, compassionate and forgiving. Their tendencies toward groundedness and stability helps them earn and hold onto wealth. Kaphas struggle with a slow metabolism. They tend to gain weight and have difficulty taking it off. Kaphas tend to shun exercise, which they desperately need to keep their dosha in balance. Kaphas who maintain a healthy lifestyle enjoy a long lifespan; while those who don't are prone to obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

To keep kapha in balance, one may want to move to a warm, dry climate, such as Arizona or New Mexico. Winter and early spring are difficult times for kaphas, who don't do well with heavy, wet, cloudy and cold weather. Kaphas should get plenty of exercise, avoid heavy foods, keep active and vary their routines. They should eat light, dry foods and avoid dairy, iced, fatty and oily foods.

Pitta - Fiery, driven, aggressive, successful nature
Pittas have a strong metabolism, appetite and digestion which allows them to easily maintain their weight. One can spot a pitta by their bright gray, green or copper-brown eyes, oily, warm skin, silky reddish hair and medium build. Pittas tend to feel quite warm and have a low tolerance for hot weather, sunshine, or hard physical work. Pittas are very bright and often become doctors, lawyers, engineers and judges. They're charismatic, ambitious, disciplined, good planners and often take on leadership roles. Although, they are also known for their controlling, dominating personality. A Pitta's lifespan is only moderately long because they burn their life energy through too much mental activity, perfectionism, aggressiveness and the constant search for success.

To keep Pitta in balance, one should cool down! They should consider living in a temperate to cool climate, such as Colorado. Summer is the most difficult time for pitas. Heat builds up in the system, and pitta individuals become more susceptible to heat-related ailments. Pittas should avoid excessive heat, oil and steam. They should eat cooling, nonspicy foods and drink cool, but not iced drinks. They should also exercise during the cooler part of the day.

Vatas are like the "wind" with an airy, creative nature
Vatas have light flexible bodies with a small frame and little fat, but unfortunately have less stamina and strength than the other types. They have a tendency toward dry skin and need to replenish themselves with lots of oils. Vatas are blessed with quick minds, mental flexibility, creativity and imagination. Clear-minded and even clairvoyant, Vatas love movement like the WIND; they're dreamers. They crave stimulation, travel and constant activity. Vatas love change - often changing furniture, housing and jobs. They tend to make money quickly, but they also spend it too quickly on trifles. When in balance, Vatas are joyful and happy; while when out of balance they can suffer from mental confusion, palpitations, nerve disorders and pneumonia.

To keep Vata in balance, they need to keep warm and calm. Vatas often wear themselves out. A Vata should consider living in a moist, warm climate such as Florida. They love Spring and Summer, but during the Winter they should try to avoid extreme cold temperatures. Vatas should try to stick to a routine and eat warm spicy foods.

Source: The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies, Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc.
** This fact sheet and the online quiz offer you rough Ayurvedic guidelines. An accurate reading of your constitution needs to be assessed by a physician thoroughly trained and experienced in Ayurvedic diagnosis.