What does it take to be healthy? Is there a holistic way to address your health? These are some of the questions we keep asking. Especially in the modern world where we are bombarded with ’lifestyle’ diseases. The 5000 year old Ayurveda practice has some of the answers. It goes beyond just physical health. The holistic science of Ayurveda recognises that all of us are different. Like our DNA , our individual constitutions are also different. Just the self awareness of our individual constitution will help in healthy living - both physically and mentally.
So what are we talking about? It is your Prakriti.
What is Prakriti?
Prakriti is a Sanskrit word, meaning 'nature'. ‘Pra’ means the ‘beginning’ or ‘source of origin’ and ‘kriti’ means ‘to form’
It refers to the inherent tendencies of one's personality and health. Knowing one's Prakriti is essential as it helps individuals to understand their unique health needs and make appropriate lifestyle and dietary choices.
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, every person is born with a unique combination of three fundamental energies, or doshas, known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas are derived from the five elements of nature, namely, earth, water, fire, air, and ether (sky).
Prakriti is unique to each individual, it is not necessarily balanced at birth. In fact, it is quite common for newborns to have a dosha imbalance.
There are several factors that can contribute to an imbalance of the doshas at birth, which includes:
genetic factors,
the health and well-being of the mother during pregnancy,
environmental factors,
season or time of the year when a child is born
For example, if the mother experiences a lot of stress or consumes foods that aggravate the doshas during pregnancy, this can lead to an imbalance in the doshas of the child at birth.
It is important to note that while dosha imbalances may be present at birth, they are not necessarily permanent or irreversible. (you must be relieved)
Through a personalized approach to diet, lifestyle, and self-care, an individual can work to balance their doshas and restore their natural state of health and well-being.
The combination of three doshas gives rise to various types of Prakriti.
Defining the doshas
What is Vata Dosha?
In Ayurveda, Vata is one of the three fundamental energies or doshas that govern the functioning of the mind and body. Vata is derived from the elements of air and ether and it influences the qualities of movement, change, and variability.
It governs the
nervous and skeletal systems,
circulatory system
When Vata is in balance, a person tends to be creative, energetic, and adaptable. However, when Vata becomes imbalanced, a person may experience symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and joint pain.
Vata Dosha Diet:
Vatas need to avoid foods that are too heavy, dense or cold because these foods cause more stagnation in their bodies than they do circulation or movement which would benefit them more.
Food to Eat | Food to Avoid |
Ghee | Rice |
Lemon | Cabbage |
Toor Dal | Raw Onions |
Turmeric | Coffee |
Buttermilk | Broccoli |
What is Pitta Dosha?
Pitta Dosha represents the fire element in our body.The body temperature of a person with this dosha is usually higher than the average person. It is derived from the elements of fire and water and it influences the qualities of transformation, digestion, and metabolism.
It governs the :
Digestions and Metabolism
When Pitta is in balance, a person tends to be intelligent, focused, and ambitious. However, when Pitta becomes imbalanced, a person may experience symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, skin rashes, anger, and irritability.
Pitta Dosha Diet
Pitta dosha people need to avoid hot and spicy foods and limit sour and acidic foods as it causes digestive issues.
Food to eat | Food to avoid |
Apples | Chili powder or cayenne pepper |
Cauliflower | hot peppers,caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea |
Pumpkin | fried foods |
Quinoa | food with high amounts of salt or sugar |
What is Kapha Dosha?
The third fundamental energy in Ayurveda is Kapha means “water” in Sanskrit, which is an apt description of its qualities. Kapha is responsible for maintaining structure and stability throughout the body.
Kapha Dosha governs:
Lubrications of the joins
Physical and Emotional well being
Stability and structure to the body
When Kapha Dosha is in balance, it promotes overall health and wellbeing. However, when it is imbalanced, it can lead to a range of physical and emotional issues, including weight gain, congestion, lethargy, and depression.
Kapha Dosha Diet
A Kapha-pacifying diet would typically involve eating lighter, drier, and warmer foods that help to balance Kapha's heavy and cool qualities.
Food to eat | Food to avoid |
Tea | Dairy products like butter and cheese |
Soup | Sour fruits like lemons, tomatoes |
Olive oil | Fried Foods |
Pears | Ghee or clarified butter |
Symptoms in case of imbalance of doshas
Other factors affecting the dosha’s
If you have read so far, dont assume a good diet is the only remedy to balance your doshas
Apart from diet, Lifestyle choice is a major factor which affects the Prakriti of any human being.
According to Ayurveda, lifestyle plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of the three doshas and preserving an individual's Prakriti.
Some ways in which lifestyle affects the Prakriti in Ayurveda are:
Sleep: Adequate and restful sleep is essential for maintaining the balance of the doshas. Lack of sleep or disturbed sleep can increase Vata and Pitta doshas and lead to imbalances.
Exercise and Yoga: Regular exercise and yoga helps maintain the balance of the doshas and promotes overall health. The type and intensity of exercise should be appropriate for one's Prakriti.
Stress: Excessive stress can aggravate Pitta and Vata doshas and lead to imbalances. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, and other stress-reducing activities can help maintain balance.
Environmental factors: The environment we live in, including the climate, air quality, and pollution, can affect the doshas. Living in a balanced and supportive environment can help maintain the balance of the doshas.
Importance of knowing one’s Prakriti
Now that you have become a bit knowledgeable about the three doshas, let’s come back to the core point in this blog- how knowing your Prakriti can actually help you. Other than of course the food choices we had mentioned.
In Ayurveda it is important to know your Prakriti because of more reasons like:
Personalized treatment: Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that emphasizes personalized treatment. Knowing your Prakriti helps an Ayurvedic practitioner to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique health needs. For example, an individual with a Vata dominant Prakriti may require different treatments than someone with a Pitta or Kapha dominant Prakriti. So next time you go to an Ayurveda clinic, talk about your Prakriti to your practitioner.
Disease prevention: Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of disease prevention through lifestyle and dietary changes. Knowing your Prakriti can help you to make appropriate lifestyle and dietary choices that are in line with your unique constitution.
Better management of chronic conditions: Ayurveda can be particularly effective in managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension. Knowing your Prakriti can help you manage these conditions more effectively by making appropriate lifestyle and dietary changes that are in line with their unique constitution.
Improved mental health: Ayurveda recognizes the connection between the mind and body and emphasizes the importance of mental health in overall well-being. Knowing your Prakriti can help you to understand your unique mental constitution and make appropriate lifestyle and dietary choices to promote mental health.
Treatments to balance Prakriti
In Ayurveda there are many treatments available to balance Doshas in our body. Some of them are:
Shirodhara : An Ayurvedic treatment that is often used to balance the doshas in the body, particularly Vata dosha. Shirodhara involves a gentle stream of warm oil or other liquids poured onto the forehead for a prolonged period of time, typically 30-60 minutes.
Abhyanga: A full-body massage with warm oil that helps balance the doshas and promote relaxation and circulation.
Panchakarma: A comprehensive detoxification and rejuvenation program that involves various therapies and treatments to balance the doshas and remove toxins from the body.
Nasya: A treatment in which medicated oils are administered through the nostrils to balance the doshas and promote respiratory health.
Kati Vasti: A treatment in which medicated enemas are used to balance the doshas and treat digestive disorders.
Knowing one's Prakriti is essential in Ayurveda as it helps individuals to understand their unique health needs and make appropriate lifestyle and dietary choices. One of the core concepts of Ayurveda is to create a balance of the dosha’s for a better life. This personalized approach to health can lead to better disease prevention, improved management of chronic conditions, and better overall well-being.
Do you know your Prakriti?
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It's always good to know.
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