Basic Constitution Test
Read each statement, and answer according to what is generally true for you, not what is necessarily true at this moment. When you have finished the test, add up your answers for a, b, and c. Although not comprehensive, this can offer some initial insight into your primary constitutional balance. For a printable version of this test, click here.
1. My physical frame is
_____ a. thin and lean
_____ b. medium with good muscles
_____ c. large and thick
2. My body weight tends to be
_____ a. low; I have trouble gaining weight
_____ b. medium; I can gain weight but can lose weight quickly
_____ c. on the high side; I have trouble losing weight
3. My skin tends to be
_____ a. dry and rough, especially in cold weather; thin
_____ b. soft an warm, prone to rashes; many moles
_____ c. oily and cool; prone to facial acne
4. My hair is
_____ a. dry, thin, wiry
_____ b. straight; prematurely gray or balding
_____ c. thick, oily, abundant
5. My eyes are
_____ a. small, dull, brown or black
_____ b. medium, sharp, green or gray
_____ c. big and round, blue or brown
6. My fingernails are
_____ a. dry, rough, and brittle; fingers are thin
_____ b. soft, pink; fingers are medium
_____ c. thick and smooth; fingers thick
7. In terms of general perspiration,
_____ a. I don’t sweat very much
_____ b. I sweat excessively
_____ c. I have a moderate amount of sweat
8. My joints are
_____ a. visible, boy, and often crack
_____ b. just visible and loose
_____ c. not seen with a lot of tissue surround them
9. My appetite tends to be
_____ a. variable or light
_____ b. strong and/or excessive
_____ c. steady, regular, but can skip meals
10. In terms of physical activity,
_____ a. I am fast and very active
_____ b. I am moderately active
_____ c. I am more slow and lethargic
11. In terms of mental activity,
_____ a. I tend to be restless and active
_____ b. I tend to be strong-minded and intelligent
_____ c. I tend to be calm, dependable, and steady
12. My sleep is generally
_____ a. disturbed and interrupted; I often wake up in the early hours
_____ b. moderate but slightly disturbed; I sometimes have trouble falling asleep
_____ c. sound and more than 6 hours
13. When stressed, I tend to be
_____ a. anxious, insecure, and impatient
_____ b. irritable, jealous, quick to anger
_____ c. possessive, withdrawn
14. My digestion is
_____ a. irregular; when indigestion, some gas and bloating
_____ b. quick; when indigestion, tends toward acid, heartburn
_____ c. slow; when indigestion, produces mucous
15. In terms of elimination, my bowel moments are
_____ a. constipated; dry
_____ b. regular or loose
_____ c. regular or thick and oily
16. My memory is
_____ a. good in the short term, but quick to forget
_____ b. sharp; accurate
_____ c. slow but steady
17. My climate preference is
_____ a. warm and humid weather; I dislike cold and dry
_____ b. cool weather, I dislike a heat and sun
_____ c. warm but dry weather; I dislike cold and damp
18. I tend toward the following type of interests
_____ a. recreation, activities with movements, talking
_____ b. competition, debate, politics
_____ c. family and social events; collecting
19. My speech is
_____ a. rapid; sometimes I speak before I think
_____ b. precise and articulate
_____ c. slow and measured
20. In terms of personality, I tend towards being
_____ a. vivacious and talkative; outgoing
_____ b. intense, ambitious; I like to be in control
_____ c. reserved and laid back
Total:
a. _______ Vata (Air)
b. _______ Pitta (Fire)
c. _______ Kapha (Earth)