Understanding Ayurvedic Prakruti & Vikruti: The Gateway to Holistic Well-being
Have you ever heard about all these terminology? Well, I did. Growing up my grandma used to say that "Yes your prakruti is like that, you feel cold easily". I never understand what that mean! But today, we will get it clear all that.
We all know that, Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life, offers a unique perspective on health and wellness. Central to its approach is the concept of 'Prakruti.' Like I said, this post aims to comprehensively understand Ayurvedic Prakruti and how it can offer a roadmap to optimal health and well-being. At Green-Beauty Co., we believe that practical knowledge of Ayurveda will only help you to gain balance in terms of mind, body, and spirit.
What is Ayurvedic Prakruti?
In Ayurveda, "Prakruti" refers to an individual's unique constitution or natural state of being. It is often described as the inherent balance of the three fundamental energies that govern physiological and psychological functions in the body. These energies are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, known as "Doshas", representing different combinations of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) that are believed to make up the human body and the universe.
Here's a brief overview of the three doshas and their characteristics:
- Vata: Vata is associated with the elements of air and ether. People with a predominant Vata constitution tend to be creative, energetic, and quick-thinking. They may also be prone to anxiety, irregular digestion, and dry skin when their dosha is out of balance.
- Pitta: Pitta is associated with the elements of fire and water. Individuals with a dominant Pitta constitution are often passionate, driven, and intelligent; when imbalanced, Pitta can lead to issues like excessive heat, inflammation, and irritability.
- Kapha: Kapha is associated with the elements of earth and water. Those with a predominant Kapha constitution are generally calm, stable, and nurturing. Imbalances in Kapha can manifest as weight gain, lethargy, and congestion.
In general, Prakriti is determined at the time of conception and is believed to remain relatively constant throughout a person's life. It reflects an individual's natural state of balance among these doshas. Understanding your Prakruti can help you make lifestyle and dietary choices that promote well-being and prevent imbalances that can lead to illness. Ayurvedic practitioners use Prakruti assessment to tailor recommendations for diet, exercise, and other aspects of daily life to support an individual's unique constitution.
Now you know what's Prakruti ! But you might have heard Vikruti too!
What is Ayurveda Vikruti?
Vikruti refers to the state of the three doshas after a person is conceived. It's all about how these doshas express themselves in the body and mind.
But here's the thing - our environment plays a significant role in messing with our doshas. If we're in a healthy environment, everything functions smoothly. But if it's less than ideal, the doshas get disturbed, and that's when disease symptoms start showing up. Things like dealing with Acne, hormonal imbalance,
So, in Ayurveda, we aim to understand a person's vikruti and determine what environmental factors caused the disturbance. Then, our goal is to fix that environment. And when we say environment, we mean everything a person takes in through their senses and lifestyle.
It's worth noting that in an optimal environment, vikruti and Prakriti (the most profound tendencies in a person) are the same. There are tendencies present, but they're not causing any problems.
Remember, when it comes to treatment, we always focus on the current state of the doshas. Knowing a person's vikruti is crucial for creating an effective treatment plan. So, let's dive into understanding vikruti and finding ways to restore balance!
It's important to note that Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that considers physical traits and tendencies and psychological and emotional aspects of an individual's constitution. Ayurvedic practitioners often assess Prakruti and Vikriti through a combination of questioning, observation, and pulse diagnosis. If you want to learn more about your Prakruti and how Ayurveda can be applied to your health and well-being, consulting with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner is advisable. If you want to gauge this and implement the Ayurveda principle in your life in general, sign up for our newsletter.
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