I’ve heard that the only reliable way to determine your actual dosha is to get an assessment from an Ayurvedic doctor. I could recommend Dr. Amrit Raj (www.aarogyadham.net) or Dr. Naina Marballi (www.ayurvedasbeautycare.com) here in town. Up at the Sivanada Ranch there’s Narayani (http://www.sivananda.org/ranch/ayurveda_programs.html), or at various workshops you might find Dr. Vasant Lad (www.ayurveda.com), who’s written several books and is one of the main authorities in the field.

But, I had a friend-of-a-friend who went to India and said that every Ayurvedic doctor he met gave him a different dosha — which just happened to match the doctor’s dosha.

I’m not sure if looking like a dosha means it’s yours… I have heard that Kapha is least recognized, since people diet and exercise and then look like Vatas or Pittas. For example, all runway models LOOK like Vatas, although it’s only a natural state for maybe 1/3 of them. Our media is very biased towards Vatas right now. And it’s the most common imbalance. So I would go by your skin, and hair, and disposition, more than your physique. Think of the elements, too — are you more fire, air, water, earth, or space? Or you could be tridoshic.

Dr. Lad’s books have some additional criteria you might check out, and I’ve heard good reviews of Deepak Chopra’s body type test. Maya Tiwari is an authority, and I’ve also had the books of David Frawley and Robert Svoboda recommended.

Good luck!

Thanks, Scout!

I have never seen variation in those times of day, it’s always exactly 10, 2, and 6, but your idea makes a lot of sense. Some cities are on the edge of a time zone, for example. I know that the seasons of the year are also doshic (March-June is Kaphic, July-October is Pittic, November-February is Vatic) so maybe there’s just a layering effect instead of a change.

But, I know it should all be taken with a grain of salt (as far as these lifestyle guidelines). I’ve heard Ayurveda is “80% correct.” And, since this science was developed in India, I’ve always wondered if it applies equally to Western bodies and climates.

Thanks for writing!

a question, maybe you have some insight. Regarding times of day, do you suppose those time ranges change with the season, sunrise and sunset and changing lenght o day throghout the year?

thanks again, i like your website