When you take this test you'll find out where you stand in this psychophysiological body typing. Have graceful movements, liquid eyes, and a gliding walk, even if overweight; At the end of this chapter you'll find an Ayurvedic body-type test. Respect other people's feelings (with which you feel genuine empathy) Seek emotional comfort from eating. In addition, they hold on to things, whether it's food or fluid or fat or sleep or relationships, especially when they're under stress. Kaphas tend to wake up slowly, even groggily, and to start their day slowly. When Kaphas do have a sleeping disorder, it's usually oversleeping. As mentioned earlier, Kaphas are unlikely to suffer from insomnia, and their sleep is usually deep and sound. Kapha types have graceful movements, liquid eyes, and a gliding walk even when they are overweight. Kaphas tend to be happy with the status quo and to preserve it by conciliating others, to respect other people's feelings, with which Kapha people feel genuine empathy, and to seek emotional comfort from eating.

It's very Kapha, for example, to mull things over for a long time before making a decision, to wake up slowly, to lie in bed a long time, to need a cup of coffee upon arising. Moreover, their personalities express a serene, happy, tranquil view of the world. They are considered fortunate in Ayurveda because as a rule they enjoy sound health. It provides reserves of physical strength and stamina that have been built into the sturdy, heavy frames of typical Kaphas. Kapha dosha, the structural principle in the body, brings stability and steadiness. The basic theme of the Kapha type is that they are relaxed. Kapha types tend toward obesity and low levels of activity when they are imbalanced. Their digestion is slow and mild, they have an affectionate, tolerant, and forgiving attitude, and they tend to be possessive and complacent.

They tend toward prolonged, heavy sleep, so Kapha types generally do not suffer from insomnia. Kapha types are slow to grasp new information, but they have very good retention. If you examine them, you find that their skin is cool and smooth, often thick and pale and quite oily. They display the characteristics of tranquillity, they have relaxed personalities, and they don't lose their tempers easily. They are slow and graceful in action. They have great physical strength and endurance and steady energy. Kapha types have a solid, powerful build. As regards sleep, Pitta types come closest of the three doshas to sleeping the "normal" eight hours, and their sleep is usually sound.