Prakriti : Your Ayurvedic Body Constitution for Personalised Healthcare

Understanding Prakriti and Its Different Types

Understanding your Prakriti is like having an owner's manual for your body. It reveals your strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies towards imbalances. For example, someone with a Vata-dominant Prakriti might be naturally creative but prone to anxiety if stressed a little. (You will learn what vata is as you read through the blog).

Knowing your Prakriti helps you identify potential imbalances before they manifest as health problems. It's like understanding your car's engine – preventive maintenance based on your unique design keeps you running smoothly. 

Different Prakriti Types

A single character or habit doesn't define your unique Prakriti, but rather by a combination of qualities from three primary life forces defined in Ayurveda known as Doshas:

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha

These Doshas, representing space & air, fire & water, and earth & water, respectively, govern all your biological processes.

The concept arises from everything in nature, including humans, combining five elements on Earth: Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Solid Earth.

So, these Doshas are the primary colours on your health palette. The unique blend of these Doshas, with one or two dominant ones,  within your Prakruti creates a spectrum of possibilities. Here are some unique dominant qualities of each Prakriti.

1. Vata Dominant: Energetic, creative, and quick learners, Vata individuals might also experience restlessness, anxiety, and dryness when imbalanced.
2. Pitta Dominant: Sharp, focused, and driven, Pitta types can become overly critical, hot-tempered, and prone to digestive issues when out of balance.
3. Kapha Dominant: Calm, grounded, and nurturing. When imbalanced, Kapha individuals might struggle with sluggishness, weight gain, and emotional attachment.

But wait, there's more! Most people have a combination of two dominant Doshas. They are like Vata-Pitta individuals, possessing the creative spark of Vata with the focused drive of Pitta. 

So, taking all combinations together, including a person with equal qualities of all three doshas, the total number of Prakriti is 7.

How To Get Your Prakriti Assessed?

Understanding your Prakruti isn't a guessing game. Ayurveda offers a toolbox of methods to assess your unique constitution. Your ayurvedic healthcare expert will use information from all these to determine your combination of life force.

1. Questionnaires: Some questionnaires detail your physical characteristics, daily habits, and emotional tendencies. By answering questions about your digestion, sleep patterns, and energy levels, you provide valuable clues about your dominant Doshas.
2. Physical Examination: An Ayurvedic expert will examine your pulse, skin, and tongue as the primary source of information on Prakriti. These subtle signs offer insights into your internal balance (or imbalance) of the Doshas.
3. Consultation: Another important cue for the experts is a detailed conversation to understand your lifestyle, medical history, and emotional makeup. This holistic approach paints a complete picture of your Prakruti.

Why is understanding your Prakruti in so much detail so important? This is because it is the ultimate foundation for personalized health recommendations in Ayurveda. 

Here's why understanding your body characters stands essential before putting you on anyherbal supplements and other other ayurveda medicines:

1. Treatment Tailored to You: Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, Ayurveda tailors treatments based on your Dosha imbalances. For instance, a Vata-dominant individual experiencing anxiety will be given calming herbs and recommended practices that will restore their natural balance. However, a Kapha person will be given stimulating herbs instead of calming to prevent further Kapha imbalance (reflected by passive energy in the person). 
2. Dietary Guidance: Your Prakruti determines the ideal foods to nourish your body and mind. A Pitta-dominant individual might benefit from cooling foods like leafy greens and yoghurt, while a Kapha type might thrive on lighter, more stimulating spices.

Now, are you curious enough to find out what your Prakriti is?

Let's get to know yourself a little more deeper!

The table below perfectly illustrates the vast differences in characteristics across various Prakriti types. 

These are some characteristics of the three major dosha types you can be.  Which characters are you more of? 

An Ayurvedic expert will also consider other points, making it easier for them to understand your body type.

Wish to take a prakriti assessment quiz? Here's a questionnaire put forth by Nirva Ayurveda Consultants for you.

Prakriti vs. Vikriti: Understanding Your Body’s Balance

So, Prakrit, as you found out, yours is your innate characteristic or body behaviour. Now, what is Vikriti? Vikriti means "something that doesn't behave normally or is imbalanced."

 In Ayurveda, understanding the difference between Prakriti and Vikriti is critical to achieving optimal health. 

Vikriti is your current balance, or imbalance, within your Doshas. It's influenced by your lifestyle choices, diet, stress levels, and even the environment. Vikriti is a temporary state, a deviation from your natural Prakriti.

For example, if your skin feels cool daily, it's your Prakriti. But, when you have a fever, it feels warm - that is vicinity.

What is the Relationship Between Prakriti and Vikriti?

The importance of identifying Vikruti lies in its connection to health issues. When your Prakriti Doshas become imbalanced (Vikriti), it can manifest as various health problems. 

For example, a Vata-dominant person who experiences excessive stress (Vikriti) might experience anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues – all signs of a Vata imbalance - sooner than a Kapha-dominant person. 

Here's why focusing on Vikriti is crucial in Ayurveda:

• Targeted Treatment: Ayurveda emphasizes addressing the imbalance (Vikriti) to restore your body to its natural balance (Prakriti). Imagine a mechanic troubleshooting a car. They wouldn't replace the engine (Prakriti) – they'd fix the specific issue causing the problem (Vikriti). Similarly, Ayurvedic treatments target your Vikriti to restore balance within your Doshas.
• Preventive Healthcare: Understanding your Vikruti tendencies allows you to take preventive measures. For instance, a Pitta-dominant individual prone to acidity (Vikriti) can avoid spicy foods and stressful situations to maintain balance.

While Prakriti is your foundation, Vikriti is the dynamic element that needs attention. Identifying and addressing Vikriti can restore your natural balance (Prakriti) and promote overall well-being.

Understanding your Prakriti empowers you to create a personalized path to optimal health. 

Ayurvedic Recommendation as per Your Dosha Type

So, as understood, an Ayurvedic expert recommends a treatment plan according to your 'Prakriti' and 'Vikriti' type.  This is called personalization.

Here's a glimpse into how Ayurveda tailors recommendations for each Doshic type.

Vata Dominant:

Diet

• Intake warm, grounding foods like soups, stews, and cooked vegetables. 
• Favour sweet, sour, and salty tastes must be used more.
• Nuts, seeds, and healthy fats are beneficial. 
• Limit dry, cold, and processed foods.

Herbal Remedies

Ashwagandha and bala are herbal remedies that help improve overall well-being if you are a vata-type person. 

Yoga & Exercise

Gentle yoga practices like Yin yoga and restorative postures are ideal. Avoid overly strenuous activities.

Meditation

Regular meditation promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, a common Vata imbalance.

Daily Routine

Establish a regular sleep schedule and wake up early with the sunrise. Create a calming evening routine to unwind before bed.

Pitta Dominant:

Diet

Cooling foods like leafy greens, yoghurt, and fruits are recommended. Favour sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. Minimize spicy, sour, and salty foods.

Herbal Remedies

Licorice and Amla are cooling herbs that can help manage Pitta imbalances and reduce inflammation.

Yoga & Exercise

Focus on cooling practices like Hatha yoga and Pranayama (breathing exercises). Avoid excessive heat-generating activities.

Meditation

Meditation helps manage stress and anger, common Pitta imbalances.

Daily Routine

Avoid excessive daytime activities during the peak heat. Prioritize relaxation during midday and establish a calming bedtime routine.

Kapha Dominant:

Diet

 Lighter, warming foods like vegetables, lentils, and spices are recommended. Favor pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. Minimize heavy, sweet, and sour foods.

Herbal Remedies

Ginger and Triphala are stimulating herbs that help manage Kapha imbalances and promote digestion.

Yoga & Exercise

Regular exercise, including brisk walking, swimming, and Vinyasa yoga, is crucial.

Meditation

Meditation helps maintain focus and clarity, which Kapha imbalances can challenge.

Daily Routine

Establish a wake-up time before sunrise and avoid oversleeping. Engage in activities that promote energy and avoid daytime sluggishness.

These are general guidelines. Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner can provide personalized recommendations based on your Prakriti and Vikruti.

Wrapping Up!

Ayurveda offers a unique approach to health and wellness through Prakriti, your inherent mind-body constitution.   It helps identify your strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies towards imbalances.  

By addressing your Vikruti, the current state of balance of your doshas, you can work towards restoring your natural balance and promoting overall well-being. With Ayurveda, you can move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and embrace a personalized journey towards optimal health.

Wish to take a prakriti assessment quiz? Here's a questionnaire put forth by Nirva Ayurveda Consultants for you.