Riim Lagerwerf Each one of us is born with a unique mind body type and by understanding your mind body type you can start to understand yourself and how you relate to the world. This is so important on our life path so that we can use this understanding to know what bring us harmony or the opposite. In Ayurveda we call this mind body type our constitution or Prakruti. The term actually means “original creation”.
Your physiology as a human being, according to Ayurveda is governed by three main forces or energies, known as the three doshas. These are:
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
All of us and all living creatures have the three doshas within them. The energy of vata will allow you to move and express yourself, the force of pitta will provide metabolic action and kapha provides you with amongst other the tissues in your body. Your constitution is actually best defined in terms of the percentage of each energy with your constitution. In this way you can actually have an infinite number of combinations, making each one of us so unique. What you will find though is that most of us will have one or two forces being more dominant.
When these forces of vata, pitta, and kapha are functioning normally, they will maintain good health of the body and ensure that all the bodily processes are well guided. However, when out of balance they can create all kinds of imbalances or symptoms. Your Prakruti is created at conception and will not change throughout the course of your life. To know your constitution is to know your tendencies and by knowing your tendencies you can actually take the power of your health into your hands by keeping these tendencies in check.
Take a look at the below by noting the description that most closely describes your tendencies and long-term patterns. It is OK if your appetite is more like vata and your sleep more like kapha. Remember we are all unique.
You can also take our mind body quiz!
Summary of the Physical Functional Characteristics of the Doshas (Prakruti)
Body structure is also an important part of knowing your constitution. Take a look at the physical characteristics of the three body types. Of course you can be a mix of these. Note the description that best defines you.
Summary of the Physical Structural Characteristics of the Doshas (Prakruti)
