Doshas

     Doshas translates to 'that which can go out of balance'. There are three of them - Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and they govern the functions of the body. All three are present in everyone, but the combination is unique only to you. Prakriti is the state of dosha predominance in the nature of each person, established at the time of conception and does not change, although it can be modified. There are daily, seasonal and lifetime changes that can affect you Prakriti. You can have a single dosha predominance, dual dosha predominance, and rarely we find a tridosha (all three) predominance. 

    Knowing your Prakriti helps you know yourself better. Preventative and treatment plans are dependent upon this information. Maintaining physical balance, harmony at the subtle levels, appropriate regimens, understanding disorder tendencies, proper diet & herbs, exercise routines, safe and effective treatments and adding life to our living - are many of the things knowing your Prakriti can help with.

    To find out your Prakriti you should speak with an Ayurvedic professional. Currently, I am practicing this with family and friends. 

    Here are some basic tendencies of each dosha:

Vata people are full of energy, they keep the conversation going and they inspire us with all the ideas they pull out of thin air. Generally, they are slim and slender with prominent bones. They typically have small features, dry skin and dry hair. They are very intuitive, imaginative and artistic. They have actions of always moving and always changing, even with their mind. They are very creative people but can have a tendency to be a natural worrier. 

Pitta people are bright, they are confident with a clear vision and make great leaders. Generally, they have a medium build with strong muscles and sharp features. They naturally are great speakers, precise, and tidy and also love list making. They tend to be always hungry, can get 'hangry' and have a fast metabolism. They can be opinionated and have a tendency to get irritable easily. 

Kapha people are stable, dependable and nurturing. Our tried and true people. Generally, they have rounded features and thick hair. They are the peacemakers with a good endurance and strong immune system. They can gain weight easily and get attached quickly. They tend to be good listeners, but can be shy and sometimes a bit lazy. 

    Are any of these jumping out to you? There are lots of questions and even more questions to refine those answers to figure out your unique Prakriti. These questions bring about a lot of self reflection as we answer them with how we have been in majority of our life, not just what is happening right now or this year. It's been so fascinating to learn the energetic tendencies and how they are all connected.