PRAKRITI: YOUR CONSTITUTION

‘Prakriti’ is your basic constitution. It is determined at the moment of conception and related to your genetically inherited and emotional qualities. Prakriti is described by three main Doshas or forces: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These are loosely translated as Air, Fire and Earth respectively. According to Ayurveda we are all born with a varying amount of each element in our mind-body constitution. Knowing your Prakriti and Vikruti (current state/imbalance) can help you maintain optimum health.

Ayurveda addresses each human being individually with their specific conditions and needs. A raw food diet may really work for one constitution but for another, it can lead to further imbalance. The practice of this ancient system offers an individual holistic approach to treating current imbalances and empowers everyone to take responsibility for their own wellbeing.

To find out your exact Prakriti and Vikruti please schedule an appointment. 

VATA = AIR + SPACE

Cold, dry, light, irregular, mobile, rough, moving, changeable. A person with Vata predominant is blessed with a quick and creative mind. They can grasp knowledge very quickly but also tend to forget easily. They usually have a thin light frame with narrow hips and shoulders. They tend to walk, talk and eat quickly. Their energy comes in bursts and they are fatigued easily. When unbalanced they often have a racing mind, feel restless, unstable, anxious and fearful. They are more susceptible to diseases involving the air principle; pneumonia, cold hands and feet, bloating, gas, arthritis, instability in bones, dry skin and loss of hair.

PITTA = FIRE + WATER

Hot, penetrating, sharp, oily, pungent and acidic. A person with Pitta predominant manifests as a fiery nature both in mind and body. They have strong appetite, strong digestion, sharp ideas and transform knowledge very fast. They are ambitious, creative and make great leaders. They usually have a medium build and tend to perspire easily. If unbalanced they can be very ‘fiery.’ They can suddenly erupt into hot emotions of anger, jealousy, impatience and have excessive perfectionist tendencies. Pitta people tend to have issues involving the fire attribute; inflammation, eye irritation, skin rashes, burning sensation, ulcers, colitis and sore throats. 

KAPHA = WATER + EARTH

A person with Kapha predominance is blessed with patience, strength, and stamina. When balanced, they have a calm and loving disposition and are generally grounded secure and stable. Physically Kapha people are of a bigger build with the tendency to gain weight easily since they have slower metabolism. Kapha people tend to have issues connected to the water principle such as flu, sinus congestion and mucus. If unbalanced they tend to experience dullness and dwell in heavy emotions; depression, attachment, lethargy and stagnation. They may have excess mucous, water retention, poor circulation, slow bowel movements and gain weight easily.