Prakriti
प्रकृति
Pronunciation: PRAH-kri-tee
Also spelled: Prakruti, Prakrti
Original nature; constitutional type
AyurvedaPrakriti is your innate constitutional type - the unique proportion of vata, pitta, and kapha you were born with. This original nature is determined at conception and remains constant throughout life. It represents your natural state of balance.
Understanding your prakriti helps you recognize what diet, lifestyle, and practices naturally support your health. When you live in alignment with your prakriti, the doshas remain balanced and health is maintained. When you act against your nature, imbalance (vikriti) develops.
Prakriti assessment considers physical characteristics (body frame, skin, hair, digestion), mental tendencies (learning style, memory, emotional patterns), and behavioral traits (sleep, activity level, preferences). Most people have dual-dosha prakriti (vata-pitta, pitta-kapha, or vata-kapha), with single-dosha and tri-doshic constitutions being less common.