Prakruti means “nature” in Sanskrit. Prakruti in Ayurveda means the unique constitution which is fixed at the time of conception of human beings and that will remain constant for our life. According to Ayurveda each person is born with a life force/doshas which are made up of five elements of nature; Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Space. Prakruti determines the individuals physical and mental attributes when they are balanced and in state of health.

Three doshas; vata, pitta and kapha determine our constitution/prakruti. All the three energies are in different proportion in all of us, the dominance of doshas decide our Prakruti. Most people are a combination of dominace of two doshas, exhibiting characteristics of two doshas depending the percentage of the combination.

According to Ayurveda there are seven types of Prakruti.
* Mono types- vata, pitta or kapha dominant, not very common.
* Dual types- vata-pitta, pitta kapha or kapha-vata
* predominance, majority of the population.
* Equal types- vata, pitta, kapha in equal proportions, it is very rare.

Ayurveda explains further details about factors that determine our Prakruti are as follows- condition of the sperm and ovum, condition of uterus, mother’s food regimen during pregnancy.

Understanding our constitution allows us to understand our physical qualities, mental make-up, what diet and lifestyle is good for us and our susceptibility to diseases.