Nadi Pariksha (Pulse diagnosis)
Did you know that you can use your pulse as a method for figuring out your dosha type, as well as a dosha quiz?
Nadi Pariksha or pulse diagnosis has been used by Ayurvedic medicine since 5000 years ago.
It can accurately diagnose physical, mental and emotional imbalances, as well as diseases.
Although Ayurveda uses two more types of observation and analysis to conclude the final dosha type you are, (the others are Darshana- pure observation and inspection, and Prashna- questioning), and whether you are in balance or not, it’s still fun to try out at home on your own, as it’s super simple to do!
Nadi Pariksha measures the intensity and rhythm of the blood flow. There are multiple areas in which you can measure the pulse, but the most accessible, accurate and non-invasive way is the wrist.
As you can see in the picture above, your pulse is taken using three of your fingers along the side of your wrist. For women you must measure on the left side, and for men the right.
Each finger represents a Dosha type. The index finger is Vata, middle finger Pitta and ring finger Kapha. Monitor the pulse for 1 minute, and count how many beats per minute there are.
You want to look out for the rhythm, intensity, which finger you feel it under the most, and what type of movement animal-wise it creates!
A brief run down for each Dosha:
A brief run down for each Dosha:
Vata: Irregular and unsteady, quite a weak strength, the index finger, like a snake- very jumpy and all over the place.
Pitta: Very strong and regular, middle finger, like a bouncy hopping frog.
Kapha: Regular beat but the weakest strength, with the ring finger and slow and graceful like a swan.
You may find that you have mixed attributes of the above.
Whichever you have the most of is what dosha pulse you have, but remember that we are always a combination of the doshas, just one is always more prominent that the other.
The best time to do pulse diagnosis is in the morning when you wake up, before eating and after you have gone to the toilet. The pulse will be inaccurate if you take it after food, exercise, a shower, in the evening or after any emotional reaction.
Have a play and try it out on others- it’s pretty cool if you’ve already done a dosha test, and this then confirms what you are, or in fact gives you a slightly different result!
With health and love,
Ali
Are you a slow swan? A jumpy frog? Or a sporadic snake?