Prakriti, vikruti

When you are conceived, you receive a unique combination of these three forces (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). This combination is called Prakriti, which literally means ‘original creation’ or ‘natural state’.

This personalized ratio of Doshas influences the way you look, your outlook on life, which disorders you are prone to, what kind of emotions become more naturally to you and more. It affects your tendencies in all these different areas. It is also the ratio in which you will feel most balanced and healthy. Since in this combination the Doshas will optimally support the different functions of the body.

The interaction with everything around you, like food, lifestyle, and climate, but also the emotions you experience, will affect this original balanced state. This is the case because, as previously discussed, all these aspects have their own set of qualities. As a result of the exchange of properties the Doshas, which have the potency to get out of balance, will undergo changes in ratio, qualities and functions.

Vikruti literally means ‘after creation’, it is the state of the three Doshas in the body after conception. It refers to the current condition of your Doshas. In an ideal situation your Vikruti equals your Prakriti, and you will be in optimum health. This however is rarely the case, because it doesn’t happen much that your environment, nutrition and other factors are exactly aligned with your personal Prakriti. Not least because most people are totally unaware of this concept..

As long as the Doshas in your body stay more or less in their original composition, you will feel healthy and balanced. If this equilibrium becomes disturbed though, your physical and mental state will be affected. If there is only a minor imbalance and a short-term situation, it may cause some vague discomfort and small symptoms like mucus or gas, or you may feel a bit irritable or restless. However, if this situation lasts too long serious illnesses can develop.