Pulses are the manifestation of the universal elemental forces in the body. The sounds of the pulses indicate the activity of the doshas, thus determining the strengths and weakness in the body. The doshas are constantly changing while adjusting one against the other due to our thoughts, actions, and feeling. Pulses reflect the changes and allows you to detect imbalances before it manifest a a disease or condition. When listening to a pulse you are listening to the rhythms of the body, which is why the word "Nadi" meaning "river of life" is commonly used in pulse diagnosis. Although pulses can be taken in various places in the body, the most commonly used location is the radial pulse (thumb side) of the wrist. When taking pulses finger positions are important. Fingers should always be together when reading the pulse. Pulses are taken on the left wrist of a woman and the right wrist of a man. With wrist lightly flexed, place the index finger on first crease of the wrist. Middle and ring finger are placed adjacent toward the elbow in the groove of the radial artery. The index finger indicates the activity level of Vata forces, middle finger pulse indicate Pitta forces, and the ring finger pulse monitors Kapha forces. Vata pulses are cold, light, thin, fast, feeble, and disappears on pressure. Vata pulse movement (gati) is like a cobra. Pitta pulse if hotm high amplitude, forceful, strong, prominent, and lifts up the palpating fingers. Pitta pulse moves like a frog. Kapha pulse is broad, cool or warm, slow, thick, deep, wavy, and regular. Kapha pulse moves like a swimming swan.