Do you know that your body is completely unique and has different dietary and lifestyle requirements? Imagine! When one size clothes do not fit all of us, then how can the same food and lifestyle be great for all. And why are we different? Ayurved has the answer – because of different prakrati or constitutions.
What are doshas?
Ayurveda believes that three primary metabolic patterns – namely Vata, pitta, and Kapha run the body. They emerge from different elements in nature. For example – the Vata dosha is born out of a combination of the air and space elements. The fire element dominates the pitta dosha and the Kapha dosha has water and the earth have its parent elements.
This is the reason these dosha govern the different metabolic activities inside the body.
For example, with the qualities of air and space elements, the Vata dosha governs all motion happening inside or outside the body. It is responsible for the involuntary movement of the intestines as well as the voluntary process of running or walking.
The fire element in the pitta dosha enables the digestive process and creates heat inside the body.
The water and the earth element in the Kapha dosha lead to tissue formation and nutriment in the body.
What is prakrati?
The three dosha are present in all people and run the body’s metabolism. However, the proportion of this dosha or the metabolic patterns may differ from person to person. This difference in the dosha balance forms different types of prakrati or body types.
There are primarily three types of a constitution in Ayurveda –
Vata dominant
Pitta dominant
Kapha dominant
Each of these body types has distinct physical, physiological, and psychological traits and health requirements.
For example –
The Vata dominant body type
A Vata person may typically have frizzy, thin, or scanty hair, thin, dry, and cool skin, and a random digestive capacity.
The Vata people normally are very creative and can be great artists. However, they may have a random memory and disorganized lifestyle.
The pitta dominant body type
A pitta person may have reddish hair and slightly warm skin with a tendency for heavy perspiration. She may have a great digestive capacity due to the dominance of the fire element.
The pitta people are generally sophisticated, and caring. They are first-grade planners with excellent organization and leadership skills. However, they may be prone to perfectionism and workaholism.
The Kapha dominant body type
A Kapha person may have a slow and sluggish metabolism and steady digestion. She may have large beautiful eyes; soft, shiny, and thick hair; thick, cool, and fair skin.
The Kapha people are generally kind and generous. They are loyal friends but may be conservative in their approach.
Importance of prakrati
The body type of prakrati is the basis to decide the best food and lifestyle for you. For example, if you are a Vata dominant person, then you should have more warm herbs like ginger, clove, cardamom to help you balance your Vata. Whereas, if you are a pitta dominant person, you should include more cooling herbs like vetiver or coriander in your food.
Also, prakrati is the foundation to decide the best lifestyle practices. This is the reason you should find out about your prakrati!
[…] The fire that lights up the body is due to pitta. Pitta’s metabolic pattern supports digestion, temperature regulation, and all types of transformational activities inside the body. However, it is important to balance this little bonfire inside your body, otherwise, it can turn into a wildfire and burn down the body tissues! […]