B Y A L L I E C H I S H O L M - S M I T H Know Your Dosha: The Key to Unlocking Your Superpowers A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T Welcome! I'm Allie. Self-knowledge (understanding), leads to self- love. It is through this process that we are capable of finding wellness. Throughout my two decades of teaching Yoga, doing Yoga Massage, Reiki and constant studies in Ayurveda, I encourage people to find self-knowledge and power from within. Allie My teaching spans from Restorative as deep central nervous system calming, to vigorous explorations into fascial structure and ways of being. I have been running transformative Yoga Teacher Training programs for well over a decade and readily admit that the study that this requires of me and the gift of witnessing so many students blossom, may be a favourite part of my job. I earned a Master’s degree examining the ways in which our definition of power determines our ability to establish healthy relationships with self, others and the earth. As with Ayurveda, I believe that as we study ourselves, we heal ourselves. As we heal ourselves, we heal the earth. om shanti, I believe that healing comes from self-knowledge. K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T W h a t A r e D o s h a s ? K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T We are all made up of a unique combination of elements – ether (or space), air, fire, water & earth. These elements make up the three doshas: Vata (air & ether) Discovering your elements allows you to discover the best of you, and life tends to feel a little easier when you know how to access the best of you... This self-assessment will help you figure out your original nature (what elements you were primarily born to live by) and your current state (usually an imbalance as a result of stress and trauma). Start with the doshas and then play with understanding which elements within those doshas most govern your world. Pitta (fire & water) Kapha (earth & water) One of the shortcomings of a lot of the online Dosha quizzes is that they don’t factor in what changes and what doesn’t change. For example, your bone structure/skeletal shape will stay basically the same for your entire life, as will the shape of your nose and eyes. Weight, on the other hand, changes frequently, as do our habits and ways of coping. In order to really understand ourselves, we need to know what elements we were born to have in abundance and which have become abundant through events/stressors and trauma. I t is a shortcoming in the quizzes because then we believe that our imbalance is actually who we are. It is not. In order to get back to balance, we need to return to our unique elemental makeup, determined at conception. Please check the boxes as appropriate for your answers. Please note that some of these situations/answers would change in our lifetimes. Remember your childhood patterns and if those patterns have shifted in your life. It is particularly interesting to note moments of trauma in your life as changepoints. If your answer is something that would have markedly changed in your life, note that. For example as a kid you may have contracted a lot of mucousal bugs but now you have more experience with pain and hard to diagnose issues. Often two answers will be accurate for you. It is fine to check 2 but not more than 2. If you can’t land, then let that question go. K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T A Note Before We Get Started... Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Never Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T CHECK THE WIDTH OF YOUR SHOULDERS -- IS YOUR NATURAL WAIST (NOT ABOUT WEIGHT GAIN) MORE NARROW THAN YOUR SHOULDERS? I AM: V: THIN AND UNUSUALLY TALL OR SHORT WITH LONG THIN BONES. P: MEDIUM BODY WITH WIDE SHOULDERS AND TAPERED AT THE WAIST. K: FAIRLY SOLID, STRONG BONES AND WEIGHT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED WRAP YOUR MIDDLE FINGER AND THUMB AROUND YOUR OPPOSITE WRIST. V: FINGER AND THUMB EASILY CONNECT, MEANING LIGHT SMALL BONES AND OR PROMINENT JOINTS. P: FINGER AND THUMB SIMPLY TOUCH, MEANING MEDIUM BONE STRUCTURE. K: FINGER AND THUMB ARE UNABLE TO TOUCH, MEANING HEAVY BONE STRUCTURE. LOOK AT YOUR FINGERS AND TOES. ARE THEY: V: LONG TAPERING? P: MEDIUM? K: SHORT AND SQUARISH? Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Never Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T AS A CHILD, WERE YOU: V: THIN AND LANKY? P: MEDIUM BUILD? K: LARGE OR CHUNKY? IF AND WHEN YOU GAIN WEIGHT, WHERE DOES IT DEPOSIT MOST? V: AROUND THE MIDDLE. P: FAIRLY EVENLY BUT LEGS CAN REMAIN STICK- LIKE. K: HIGH TENDENCY FOR EVEN WEIGHT GAIN, BUT PARTICULARLY BUM AND THIGHS. RELATIVE TO YOUR FAMILY, IS YOUR COMPLEXION: V: DARK, TAN EVENLY P: FAIR-SKINNED, SUNBURN EASILY, FRECKLES AND MOLES COMMON K: TAN EVENLY BODY (NOT HEAD) HAIR IS: V: SCANT OR OVERABUNDANT, TENDS TO BE DARK, COARSE AND CURLY P: LIGHT BODY HAIR, FINE TEXTURE K: MODERATE AMOUNT OF HAIR Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Never Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T IS YOUR FOREHEAD: V: SMALL? P: MEDIUM WITH FOLDS AND LINES? K: LARGE? ARE YOUR EYES: V: SMALL DARK ACTIVE P: MEDIUM SIZE, LIGHT GREEN, GRAY, AMBER OR BLUE -- INTENSE K: LARGE, LIQUID, SOMETIMES BLUE, OFTEN CHOCOLATE BROWN AS A CHILD, YOUR TEETH WERE: V: CROOKED, UNEVEN OR BUCK TEETH THAT ARE SENSITIVE TO HEAT AND COLD, MAY HAVE NEEDED BRACES. P: EVEN, OF MEDIUM SIZE K: LARGE, EVEN GLEAMING YOUR NECK IS: V: SMALL AND UNSTEADY P: MODERATELY SIZED K: LARGE AND STURDY Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Never Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T LOOK AT THE SHAPE OF YOUR FACE AND PICK WHAT FITS BEST: V: DELICATE CHIN, OVAL FACE -- YOU CAN DRAW A LINE FROM EAR TO CHIN, IN A FAIRLY CONSISTENT LINE. JENNIFER ANNISTON P: ANGULAR FEATURES, PARTICULARLY JAW, MODERATE CHIN. ROBERT REDFORD. K: LARGE JAW, ROUND FACE. OPRAH WINFREY. WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WAS YOUR HAIR: V: KINKY AND CURLY? P: FINE AND LIGHT? K: WAVY AND THICK? Now, total your numbers: TOTAL VATA: TOTAL PITTA: TOTAL KAPHA: This is reflective of your original nature, your Prakruti. bowel movements irregular, tends to constipation Two bowel movements per day one bowel movement per day, often loose, usually fairly large gas after eating heartburn after eating sluggishness after eating doesn’t sweat prolifically sweats Steady sweats and it takes a long time to cool down difficulty gaining weight can gain or lose weight if they put their mind to it gains weight easily, has a hard time losing it without exercise cold hands and feet skin warm to touch skin cool but not cold dry, thin skin (¼”) oily and moderate skin (¼-½”) thick skin, well lubricated (¾”) Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T often wakes between 2- 6am and worries. It can be hard to fall asleep too. often wake in the night and do something until they can go to sleep again sleep 8 hours deeply and solidly often cracked or chapped lips deep red lips tendency toward cold sores and fever blisters full moist lips Vata Pitta Kapha dry hair, lusterless, split ends, dark, rough, wiry or kinky fine, light, oily, blond, red or early gray hair. Early thinning or baldness possible thick, slightly wavy hair, a little oily, dark brown lustrous dislikes dryness & cold, prefers warmth prefers cool, well ventilated places and dislikes heat tolerates most climates except humidity tongue is dry with thin, grayish coating tongue coating yellowish-orange or reddish tongue swollen with thick, curdy, white coating Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T bowel movements irregular, hard, dry or constipated bowel movements are loose and more than twice a day large full bowel movement, once a day, mucous, itchiness If ill: nervous disorders, sharp pain likely If ill: fevers, rashes or inflammation likely If ill: swelling, fluid retention, mucous, congestion Vata Pitta Kapha Sexual interest variable, fantasy life active highly sexed, arouses easily steady sex, slow to arouse Menses irregular, scanty flow, severe painful cramps May bleed heavily and long loose stool accompanies. Typically, first two days are heavy and then tapers to non-existent prone to water weight during Menses, slight cramps if any. Long heavy and regular cycle. Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T speech is rapid and full – lots of words and meandering pointed and staccato, directional calm and steady, soft and smooth. eyes often dry and scratchy, sclera (whites of the eye) grey or blueish sclera has reddish or yellow tinge tendency toward eye puffiness You feel relief in spring you feel relief in autumn you feel relief in summer receding gums inflamed bleeding gums thick gums Vata Pitta Kapha either indulges in rich food or on a strict diet loves proteins, caffeine and hot spicy and salty foods love sweets, dairy, bread and pastry joints are painful, unsteady, cracking or stiff joints are hot, swollen, burning joints are loose, aching, watery, swollen prefer to stay away from stress. Can get paralyzed. look for solutions to stress and plow through to them avoid stress by hiding and sleeping. Know Your Doshas: Characteristics That Change K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T Now, total your numbers: TOTAL VATA: TOTAL PITTA: TOTAL KAPHA: THIS INDICATES YOUR VIKRUTI OR IMBALANCE. NOW KEEP GOING TO UNDERSTAND YOUR MIND AND EMOTIONS. Vata Pitta Kapha Concentration is short, short term memory good, but forgets quickly Good short and long- term memory, logical, rational thoughts Takes time to learn things, once learned never forgets Dislikes routine Enjoys planning and organizing, especially if self-created works well with routine difficulty deciding, changes mind easily rapid decision-making, sees things clearly takes time making decisions, sticks with it Restless, active, likes movement aggressive, likes competitive activities calm, likes to relax, leisure activities Creative thinker Organized thinker prefers to follow a plan or idea Does many projects all at once Constantly organizing, likes to proceed in an orderly fashion. Completion is very important. Resists change, new projects, likes simplicity. Uni-tasker that would prefer to focus on one task until it's done. Know Your Doshas: The Mind (be aware of which of these have changed in your life) K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T Vata Pitta Kapha knows a lot of people, few close friends Very selective (small group of trusted besties), but creates warm friendships and makes enemies easily. Loyal, with many friends and acquaintances. Spends impulsively, money is to be used Plans spending, money is for achieving purpose. Spends reluctantly, lies to save. Know Your Doshas: The Mind (be aware of which of these have changed in your life) K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T Now, total your numbers: TOTAL VATA: TOTAL PITTA: TOTAL KAPHA: Vata Pitta Kapha Experiences fear experiences hate experiences apathy Secretive vindictive uncaring Self-destructive destructive victimized Anxious irritable attached Sneaky manipulative greedy Nervous angry desirous dynamic perceptive harmonious communicative caring devoted feelings and emotions change easily aggressive about opinions and feelings, giving opinions even if they are not asked for avoids giving opinions in difficult situations Dreams are flying, restless and nightmares dreams in colour, fast, passionate and conflict-oriented romantic, short dreams, often involve water Know Your Doshas: The Emotions (be aware of which of these have changed in your life) K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T Vata Pitta Kapha Now, total your emotional numbers: TOTAL VATA: TOTAL PITTA: TOTAL KAPHA: K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T And now that you have done the full self- assessment, tally up the grand total of all different aspects of your doshas. TOTAL VATA: TOTAL PITTA: TOTAL KAPHA: So, what do we do with this? How do we move forward? K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T W h e n w e i n c a r n a t e i n t o t h i s b o d y , t h e r e i s a c e r t a i n r a t i o o f t h e s e e l e m e n t s t h a t a r e e m b e d d e d i n t o u s t o a l l o w u s t o l e a r n t h e l e s s o n s w e a r e h e r e t o l e a r n . I w o n d e r t o o i f w e a r e g i f t e d t h e s e e l e m e n t s s o t h a t w e c a n b e o f u s e t o h u m a n i t y a n d t h i s p l a n e t . T h i n k i n g b a c k t o w h e n y o u w e r e a k i d i s h e l p f u l . D i d t h i n g s c h a n g e a t a c e r t a i n a g e ? M a y b e w h e n y o u r p a r e n t s d i v o r c e d o r y o u m o v e d o r s o m e o n e d i e d ? A l l o f t h e s e t h i n g s c a n c r e a t e a c h a n g e i n o u r e l e m e n t a l m a k e u p t h a t f u n d a m e n t a l l y s h i f t s w h o w e a r e a n d h o w w e c o p e . T h i s t h e n c r e a t e s a n i m b a l a n c e . S o w h a t a r e w e t o d o ? W e l l f i r s t , w e n e e d t o k n o w o u r s e l v e s a s w e l l a s w e p o s s i b l y c a n . W h o w e r e y o u b e f o r e t h e t r a u m a a n d w h o a r e y o u n o w ? These elements show you who you were meant to be. Home in on these superpowers of your original nature. Look at the things in you that don’t change: Your bone structure Face shape Eyes etc Most of us currently are being disrupted by vata – air and ether. K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T If you are high in earth and the wind is strong... You will block like a landmass. Denial, lethargy, stubbornness all rise in the face of stress. Have you ever tried to rush a 3 year old through the supermarket? If you are high in water, the wind will dry you out (well first it will cause massive waves and then dry you out). Like I said before, clinging and hanging on or even co- dependency might come up. We might go to an assumption of lack over abundance despite all evidence to the contrary. High in fire? Wind will fan the flames! Anger, passion, addictions rage! Until your fire burns out completely and then we have adrenal burnout. High in Air? The winds of vata will cause immense amounts of anxiety, potentially self-harm and even suicide. High in Ether? You will likely want to the heavens and never come back. No matter what the issues or symptoms, if you start with slowing down the wind in your life, you will get far. K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T How much drama are you creating? Is it necessary? Are you getting enough rest? Nature? Slow and deep breaths? Slow and deep yoga? The wind is eroding our immunity and resilience so we must learn to bolster ourselves by slowing down, getting into nature, yoga and breathwork. Be with people that love you. Eat food that is single ingredient and grown with love. Here are two thing to do, no matter what your outcome is in the ayurvedic quiz: Create Routines Even just four things that you do in a row in the same way every morning upon waking (and please do not let one of those things be checking your phone) Increase your Oils Get more oil in your food, especially in the autumn and winter. Put oil on your skin in lieu of moisturizer. Get out of your shower and apply warm oil all over your skin. Get back in the shower and flash with hot water. Pat yourself dry. Or use a salt/sugar scrub in the shower. Just make sure you are building your derma layer up with oil. Thicken your skin. Underneath all of this self-study is the key to unlock your true superpowers. Because I am high in water and fire, I bring people together easily and well. I help them to see more clearly who they are and that they are incredibly loveable. Fire and water. These are my superpowers. What are yours? Following the pattern of the Ayurvedic three season year, this program explores the elements in chapters: Kapha (earth and water) season will be explored through January and February Pitta (fire and water) in April and May Vata (air and ether) will be explored in autumn so that we are preparing for their influences in our lives. We will delve into the chakras based on the theme of the season, ie, Muladhara in the spring when the earth element is most prevalent. By dividing this tiered group coaching program into these chapters, we can then tie together seemingly disparate concepts and see the way in which this self-knowledge will lead to belonging and good stewardship. K N O W Y O U R D O S H A S : A S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T If you found this self-assessment gave you a little bit more clarity, you might be interested in joining The Curious Yogi! If you are interested in learning more, email allie@alliechisholmsmith.com with the subject "I think I might be a Curious Yogi!" and I will make sure you get the registration links first!