Know Your Mind & Body Types

PRAKRITI (Body Constitution):

After knowing your Prakriti (body constitution) with the pulse examination, you can apply it in maintaining the health and counteracting the disease as it plays an important role in health planning. If we know our natural constitution according to Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, we can take care of our problems and defend against diseases. We can know what sort of diseases are possible in us in different seasons and can know how to prevent them before they attack us. It is also possible to perceive the prognosis of disease with respect to Prakriti.

Every human being usually has a varying percentage of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The doshas are usually not present in equal proportions. In most people, there is a natural uneven distribution. Very rarely, a person may have a completely even distribution of doshas. Although we each have characteristics of Vata, Pitta or Kapha to different degrees, one of these elemental natures will dominate and that is the “main” dosha. The secondary dosha is the one present in the next highest proportion. Every dosha type or combination is acknowledged in Ayurveda, which lists seven separate physical constitution types based on the basic three:

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha
• Vata-Pitta
• Vata-Kapha
• Pitta-Kapha
• Vata-Pitta-Kapha

Vata Type:

People with a predominant Vata dosha display physical and emotional characteristics linked to the elemental qualities of space/akasha and air/Vayu. They are very active – mobile, restless and energetic. They have fast metabolisms, so are often thin with little muscle development and protruding joints that may make cracking noises. Their skin is dry, rough and thin with visible veins. Mentally and emotionally they are rapid. They gather information or display emotions quickly or determine swiftly whether they like or dislike something. While they learn quickly and are usually intellectual, their retention is poor. Money is spent quickly and impulsively. They demonstrate high creativity, innovation, and sensitivity.

Vata Prakriti persons may suffer from Vata diseases (Eighty in number, mostly the diseases of nerves and bones) if they indulge more in a cold, dry, rough, bitter, pungent and astringent diet, over exercise, have irregular food habits, live in colder, drier climates. For seasonal consideration cold winter season, pre-rainy season and cloudy, dry windy climates, are not good for them. The illness may worsen if already present. Any type of sickness may be increased at Vata time, like evening times, late in the night, and the third hour after meals and in old age. If they follow proper diet, behavior, and tastes to decrease Vata, they may prevent their natural tendency towards the possibility of Vata type disease.

Pitta Type:

People with a pitta dosha display an inherent fireAgnii elemental character. They are of medium build, with greater muscular development than that displayed by vata. Their skin is soft and warm, and they have a lot of body heat and often perspire excessively. Their hair is thin and often reddish or blond, and they may experience premature graying, baldness or excessive hair loss. Their skin flushes easily and they often have many freckles and moles. Their skin develops acne, rashes, bruises or sunburn easily In case of pitta Prakriti, if they tend to indulge in hot, sharp, pungent, sour, salty things, work with fiery, acidic substances, they may suffer from pitta diseases (Forty in number, mostly metabolic disorders) as pitta tends to aggravate from these causes. Hot climate, autumn, the second hour after meals and midday (noon) and midnight are the specific times when pitta Prakriti people’s sickness may increase and medicines taken at this time may be more helpful for speedy recovery.

Mentally and emotionally they are extroverted and love to be the focus of attention. Although they can usually control their emotions, they may become irritable, angry and judgmental under stress. Money is prudently managed. They are decisive, aggressive, ambitious and determined, often aspiring to positions of leadership. They enjoy competitive sports and games, either as spectators or participants. Their intelligence is high, and they have good insight and a keen sense of discriminate

Kapha Type:

People with a predominant Kapha dosha display an inherent water elemental character. They have a heavy and solid, or large build. They are often overweight, gain weight easily and have high muscle development (plump and round). Their skin is thick, smooth and moist with few wrinkles. Their complexion is usually clear, fair or pale, and hair is oily, thick and wavy. Their teeth are strong, white and well-formed. In the case of Kapha Prakriti, if they indulge more in unctuous, oily, heavy, dull, slimy food substances and eat sweet, sour, salty food, take more rest and live a comfortable life, with a lack of physical exercise, they may suffer from kapha diseases (Twenty in number, mostly diseases, concerned with structure), as these causes aggravate kapha. These people may fall sick in the spring, in cold and damp climates if they do not take proper care. Their sickness may increase in these climates and also at kapha time, like early morning. If proper medicine is given at this time, it may be more effective.

In this way, knowledge of naadi and prakriti are very useful and important to maintain health in an individual. One can take proper care, adjust the diet properly and avoid the diet, which is harmful; one can adopt daily and seasonal routines properly and attain perfect health.

Mind Type( Gunas):

TriGunas or Manas Doshas are three mental states, if are in the balanced state are causes of health, and in an unbalanced state is causes of disease.

1. Sattva: Neutral balanced, positive, cool! Calm! Sweet! Disturbances can’t affect this. High spirits are the core of this aspect. This is able to enlighten all the objects by its glow. Rest two may cause any deformities but the purity of it never allows disturbances to invade. Kind as the love of nature and pure as blessings of God!
2. Rajas: Rajas Guna is activity, the factor responsible for the change, works to rearrange the things and ideas, the transaction from darkness to light or vice-versa. It transforms potential energies of life and nature into kinetic energies. New formations anywhere in the world are controlled by this specific factor.
3. Tamas: Inertia!! Binds things to their places, hates any alteration or renovation. This is orthodox in nature. It makes things to deposit. Negative approach is a big and positive is zero here. Important for a pause, which give the relaxation to all animates.