Prakriti – Balancing By Ayurveda

Prakriti literally means "the first creation."

Prakriti is our basic constitution - a unique blend of universal energies that came together to give us both your body type and temperament. It is determined at the moment of conception and relates to our genetically inherited physical and emotional qualities.

Prakriti specifies the qualities, characteristics, and tendencies that are stable. Prakriti is described by three Doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha which are vaguely comparable with air, fire and earth elements of the universe. Our Prakriti is determined by the balance of Doshas with which we are born.

Mostly it is the blend of our parents’ doshic constitutions at the time of conception. This specific doshic balance defines our interactions with the world. The proportion of doshas decides our greatest strengths and talents, and when we know our Prakruti, we can take maximum advantage of them.

There are seven main Prakritis mentioned in Ayurveda:

• Vata-predominant
• Pitta-predominant
• Kapha-predominant
• Tridoshic Prakriti
• Vata-Pitta predominant
• Pitta-Kapha predominant
• Vata-Kapha predominant

Before talking further it is important to know what the 'Panch Mahabhutas' are and its relation with Doshas. The doshas are themselves a combination of energies present in the universe. It is very well said that ‘as the universe is, so we are.' An embodied living entity is like a microcosm in a macrocosm (the universe). All manifestations in the universe are a combination of the five elements (Panch Mahabhutas).

• Earth – Solid state of matter
• Water – Fluid state of matter
• Fire – Energy to transform matter from one state to another.
• Air – Gaseous state of matter
• Ether – Space in which matter can exist and is contained.

Vata is a combination of air and ether. It is responsible for all movements of the body, mind, and senses and process of elimination.

Pitta is a combination of fire and water. It is responsible for the heat, metabolism, energy production, and digestive functions of the body.

Kapha is a combination of earth and water. It is responsible for physical stability, proper body structure, and fluid balance.

Our Prakriti does not change; it remains constant throughout life. The state of the doshas can change. This changed pattern is called 'Vikriti,' or 'conditional state,' as it does not match the original pattern. It causes disruptions that eventually result in some kind of disorder.

The attributes given to vata, pitta, and kapha exist all around us. They manifest in the climate, living conditions, emotional atmosphere, and in the foods we eat. These qualities from our environment act on our bodies by bringing to it their qualities.

The outer elements directly change the balance of inner elements. For example, wind is dry in nature. It increases vata, causing the skin to become dry and cracked. Spicy and pungent foods increase pitta, which leads to inflammation. Greasy and oily food and excessive sleep increase kapha dosha. This inertia also contributes to weight gain. So, it is very clear that like increases like.

By the same logic, influences of opposite qualities to the doshas will help to maintain balance. This is the fundamental principle of healing in Ayurveda and key to making correct choices to support the health and beauty of the body. So, when we live according to our innate constitution, our individual nature is perfectly attuned to that of Mother Nature and ideal health results.

We excel in our dharma and achieve maximum happiness and satisfaction in life with minimum efforts. The attention given to treating people as individuals is one of the greatest gifts of the Ayurvedic approach to health and beauty. Restoring the balance (getting back into your nature) can be done with the following:

• 1. Panchkarma
• 2. Diet
• 3. Yoga
• 4. Meditation

Panchakarma Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy

Panchakarma Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy is the oldest scientific system for detoxifying and re-energizing the body. The program is planned to improve the health of a healthy person, enhance natural good looks, or cure a disease. Traditionally undertaken as a preventive therapy at the change of seasons, both winter to spring and summer to fall, the aim of Panchkarma is to cleanse the ama (toxins) and excess subtle energies or doshas from the body, thereby promoting health and longevity. Ayurveda has planned five Panchakarma procedures for 3 doshas:

• 1. Vaman – for kapha dosha
• 2. Virechana – for pitta dosha
• 3. Basti – for vata dosha
• 4. Nasaya – can be selected for vata, pitta, or kapha.
• 5. RaktaMokshana – Blood Letting for blood and Pitta disorders

Once the Panchkarma procedures have been completed, the channels in the body are properly cleansed, and the body and mind have a free flow of prana - then it becomes more important to follow diet and lifestyle according to one’s Prakriti.

Diet 

Diet An Ayurvedic diet is based more upon the intuitive sense of what is attractive to the individual by color, smell, temperature, taste, and texture. This works very well when we are healthy. When our body is in balance, it is attracted to foods by its own innate intelligence. But in today’s world we are so much influenced by our surroundings, which throw us out of balance. Foods are known by their qualities, or gunas, and taste, or rasa.

There are six main Gunas:

• Heavy
• Dry
• Hot
• Light
• Oily
• Cold

And there are six Rasas:

• Sweet
• Sour
• Salty
• Bitter
• Pungent
• Astringent

The qualities and taste of the food best for a particular dosha are those that help to counteract the qualities of the dosha. Food for a particular dosha helps balance its tendencies with opposite qualities and resulting tendencies. For example, Kapha is heavy, oily, and cold; to balance it, we need light, dry, and hot attributes.

It is also mentioned that each meal should have all the six tastes, the portion of each varying to balance the dominant dosha of the individual. This gives complete satisfaction and curbs cravings for eating and snacking.

The meals for the particular constitution should be made by considering Rasa and Gunas. This will help in planning a perfect meal, as the foods healthy for a Vata person may not be good for Kapha. For example, Vata people feel grounded and energetic after having a healthy bowl of grain cereal and milk. On the other side, Kapha people feel heavy and probably fall asleep after having such a meal.

General considerations of diet for a Vata constitution

Vata dosha people have very unpredictable appetites, so they should choose warm foods, especially stews and simple one-dish meals. Use mild spices and little salt to help prime digestion. And try to avoid wind and cold and junk food; homemade foods are the best for them. Avoid eating when anxious, nervous, afraid, deep in thought, or worried.

Vata people should pay attention to eating and should not eat while watching TV, listening to music, reading, and using mobile phones. They should eat little at one time, but skipping meals is not good. Eat with people who take pleasure in a calm, tidy, clean, and spacious-feeling atmosphere.

Vata gets increased by age, the autumn season, afternoon time, travel, loud noise, cold, and wind. Be careful with diets at this time. Sweet, heavy, sour, salty, oily, and warm foods balance Vata. Take relatively more of such food. Qualities of food that imbalance Vata are pungent, bitter, astringent, light, dry, and cold. Take less of these foods.

<<Check out our collection of vata-balancing Ayurvedic medicine for natural balance>>

General considerations of diet for pitta constitution

Pitta people have strong appetites. An unsatisfied appetite leads to intense hunger, irritation, and anger. A pitta person should take cool, slightly dry, and a little heavy food. Avoid salt. The midday meal should be the largest meal of the day. Avoid eating late at night. Fresh fruits or vegetables are the best evening snack if appetite demands it.

Avoid eating when angry, irritated, or in competitive situations. Pitta’s strong digestion can lead to the development of abusive habits that cause problems eventually, i.e., Overeating, excessively oily, overcooked, or excessively rich or hot spicy food, caffeine, red meat, eggs, alcohol, and sugar.

Pitta is increased by summer season, at midday and midnight, intense heat, excessive sunlight etc. Qualities of food that balance Pitta are sweet, astringent, bitter, cool, heavy, and dry. Take relatively more of such food. Qualities of food that imbalance Pitta is pungent, hot, sour, light, salty, and oily. Take less of these and less frequently.

<<Find the perfect pitta-balancing Ayurvedic medicine for your needs here>>

General consideration of diet for Kapha constitution

Eating less in quantity and frequency but maintaining a high quality of foods is the key for balancing Kapha dosha. Take low-salt, low-fat, high-fiber, lightly cooked foods. Kapha people can skip breakfast.

Take a gentle walk after eating. Avoid sleeping after meals, as this adds to heaviness in the body. Fasting once in a week is good. Food should not be taken as emotional support by Kapha persons. Kapha is increased in the early morning, later in the evening, and during the spring season.

Be most careful with your diet at these times, avoiding heavy breakfasts or late-night eating. Qualities of food that balance Kapha are pungent, light, dry, astringent, bitter, and hot. Take more of these and more often. Qualities of food that imbalance Kapha are sweet, heavy, sour, oily, salty, and cold. These should be consumed very little.

<<Explore our selection of kapha-balancing Ayurvedic medicine for optimal wellness>>

Yoga and Meditation

Along with the cleansing procedures and following the particular lifestyle, one has to keep oneself mentally and physically strong. Yoga and Ayurveda are closely related sciences derived from the same root that complement each other to achieve perfection in life. It is very important to understand the respective roles of Ayurveda and Yoga in the Vedic system. Yoga and Ayurveda are related healing disciplines. Each has its unique place and function, but each overlaps the other on various levels.

It is very beautifully prescribed in yoga and Ayurveda that different asanas and pranayamas are conducted to balance the different doshas. For Vata imbalance and Vata constitution, personal asanas that add the qualities of warmth, stability, and grounding should be practiced to re-establish the natural state of health and well-being.

Basic guidelines to be followed by Vata people during Yoga practice

• Massage before you start
• Feet & Ankle Warm-up
• Practice at a slow, smooth, and steady pace.
• Very light and gentle movements such as rotation in the joints, counterposes, and flexion and extension.
• Each posture should be done for a short time.
• Try creating stability in your poses.
• Focus on lengthening your inhalation.
• Stay grounded. Ground down through your big toes.
• Engage your entire body with care and don’t overexert.
• Be present in your practice.
• Stay warm.
• Conclude your practice with a long relaxation.

Basic guidelines to be followed by Pitta people during Yoga practice

• Pitta individual should encourage compassion, acceptance, relaxed effort and be cooling in nature in their yogic exercises
• Try enjoying each movement in your poses.
• Be slow and steady. The asanas should be cooling, nurturing, and restoring.
• Perform cooling postures and pranayama.
• Practice should lay emphasis on the middle abdomen, small intestine, and liver - the main sites for pitta accumulation.
• Bring creativity to your practice.
• Focus on the yoga experience in your body, not your brain.
• Work at 80% efficiency.
• Focus on your exhalation.
• Use the exhalation to let go and release any built-up anger, frustration, stress, etc.
• Keep track of your breath.
• Notice the position of your ribs; draw them back into your body.
• Benefit from practicing at a moderate pace.
• Don’t overutilize your energy. Never convert your practice into a strong workout that makes you sweat and raises your body temperature.

Basic guidelines to be followed by kapha people during practice Yoga practice

• Kapha individuals should create space, stimulation, warmth, and buoyancy in their practice.
• Practice in a warm space.
• Use a strong, forceful breath like bhastrika or kapalbhati, except in few diseased states
• Keep your chest and shoulders open and lifted as you practice.
• Have a sharp upward gaze.
• Feel a sense of lightness in your poses.
• Pause for a moment between your inhalations and exhalations.
• Challenge yourself.
• Keep moving. Have short resting periods between poses.
• Enjoy a restorative pose for final relaxation.
• Keep doing practice at a vigorous pace and intensity.