Prakruti, literally translated from Sanskrit as "nature", refers to our natural Mind-Body constitution.
Each of us is born with a unique constitution that is predisposed from the time of birth. Our constitution largely depends upon which of the doshas Vata, Pitta or Kapha are predominant and becomes perceptible through emotions, behavior, body size and composition, metabolism and health tendencies.
Each of the doshas is different in quality and will therefore lend a different character to your constitution. Vata dosha types tend to be slender and small boned with smaller eyes and facial features. They feel cold and have thin skin. They tend to be "dry", which can be seen in dry skin and hair, brittle nails and digestive issues.
They are creative folks, energetic with a whirlwind, some what unpredictable nature. Pitta folks are dynamic, inspirational, ambitious and passionate. They have a medium, athletic build, sharp eyes and facial features, and good coloring. Pitta folks tend to feel hot and sensitive - this can come out as acne or inflamed skin, or heated emotion. Kapha folks are grounded, placid, routine oriented, and dependable. They have a larger build, heavy bones and tend to hold weight due to a slower metabolism. They have a wonderful skin tone which ages well, thick hair and good strong nails.
Many of us exhibit more than one of the dosha characteristics. It is important to understand that we all have the three doshas in us, it is the one that is predominant that determines our Prakruti. For many people, two of the three doshas can actually exist in a higher proportion relative to the third.
These are mixed dosha types. It is quite common for example to be a Vata-Pitta type exhibiting physical and emotional characteristics of both doshas. This might be more obvious as having one dosha emphasize physical traits and another dosha emphasize emotional traits, or perhaps both emotional and physical aspects exist and emerge appropriately from time to time. A small percentage of people will actually have equal proportions of all three making those Tridosha types. This is quite uncommon but typically these folks can stay in balance more relative to others.
This quiz can help determine which of the three doshas you have in the highest proportion in your overall dosha composition. To more accurately determine your Prakruti, you can check in with an Ayurvedic doctor or practitioner, but the quiz will give you a good hint.
Answer one or more characteristics that ring true from the questions. It is important to answer truthfully rather to answer the questions ideally. All your answers do not have to be from the same dosha type. Also, feel free to choose more than one answer when necessary.
The skin on my face is mostly...
- Vata - normal to dry. It might lack muscle tone or elasticity. I have fine lines and wrinkles. It often feels dry or tight when I travel, am dehydrated or in the cold weather.
- Pitta - oily in the T-zone and drier on the cheeks. I might have many moles, freckles or hyper-pigmentation. It tends to be sensitive and might redden or break out upon touch (by chemicals, cosmetics, soap, synthetics etc.).
- Kapha - normal to oily. My skin tone is good although my face might get puffy. I have a tendency to have large pores and perhaps get whiteheads and pustules.
The skin on my body is mostly...
- Vata - normal to dry. It might lack elasticity and sag in places. It might be rough or flake easily in certain areas. It is thin and translucent; often you can see my veins through the skin.
- Pitta - normal to sensitive. It has good coloration and might even redden easily, especially in the sun or warmer climates. I might scar easily or have hyper-pigmentation marks. I might also scratch my skin in response to sensitivities; this can cause my skin to scar.
- Kapha - normal, thick and spongy. It has good, strong tone and elasticity.
The temperature of my skin is mostly...
- Vata - cool or cold. I might have cold extremities, and I usually feel cold, especially in dry climates.
- Pitta - warm. It feels especially warm in the core and sweaty in hands, feet and the hormonal areas. I also tend to feel hot and sweaty fairly easily, especially in warmer weather.
- Kapha - cold. It might even feel more distinctly cold in fatty areas such as the buttocks, hips, thighs or upper arms. My skin does "breathe" as well in cool, damp climates, and can become congested. I might even often experience a cool, clammy "all over" kind of perspiration.
My body frame is mostly...
- Vata - small, lean or wiry. I might be tall and thin or small and petite. I tend to have lighter and less dense bones.
- Pitta - compact, athletic and muscular. I have a medium and quite well defined musculature and bone structure.
- Kapha - large. I have wide hips and shoulders. I have large muscles, dense and heavy bones.
