Types of Prakriti

Prakrti has been classified into two as

1. Saareerika - Bodily - Physical
2. Maanaseeka – Mental- Phscological

Based on the three doshas in human body and their physical and physiological qualities, the Saaeerika Prakrti has been classified into seven namely

1. Vaata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
4. Vaata – Pitta
5. Pitta – Kapha
6. Kapha – Vaata
7. Tridoshaja or Sannipaata

Based on the three gunas and their emotional, behavioral, cognitive and mental abilities and qualities, the MaanaseekaPrakrti has been classified into three namely

1. Rajasiaka
2. Saatvika
3. Taamasika

In order to diagnoses a person, it is necessary to first determine his or her type of prakrti. By understanding the prakrti of a persona doctor, is able to detect the changes in the prakrti of the person.

Using prakrti as the base, he or she diagnoses the disease. Irrespective of whether a person is healthy or ill, knowing one's prakrti helps one to know oneself better and live a healthy and peaceful life.

The following table contains the characteristics of the different types of prakrtis.

Physical Traits

TRAIT	KAPHA	PITTA	VAATA
Body frame	Hefty - fat	Medium	Thin
Forehead size	Large	Medium,	Small
Hair	Dense silky and curly	Bald and Grey	Dry and Thin
Eyes	Wide with large white part (sclera)	Reddish and cat eyed	Small and unsteady
Lips	Large and smooth	Medium and soft	Thin and crackin
Skin	Oily and smooth	Cherished and wrinkles	Dry or rough
Finger nails	White and Thick, Wide nails	Pink and soft nails	Cracking and thin nails
Voice	Soft, sweet and resonating	Commanding and sharp	Stammering and weak
Resting pulse (early morning or before breakfast)	60 - 70	70 - 80	80 - 100
Weight	most of the times  overweight	Medium and muscular	Low and bony with lesser weight thin
Bowel movements	Moderate and solid	Loose and burning	Small, hard, with gas, frequently constipated
Appetite	Constant and poor	Strong and sharp	Irregular
Which Season most bothers	Cold and damp	Heat and sun	Cold and dry

Mental traits

TRAIT	KAPHA	PITTA	VAATA
Temperament	Easygoing	Irritable or impatient	Nervous or fearful
Memory	Slow to learn, never to forget	Sharp and clear	Quickly grasps, soon forgets
Mind	Slow and lethargic	Penetrating and critical	Quick and adaptable
Speech	Slow or silent	Moderate or argues	Quick or talkative
Sleep pattern	Sleepy and lazy	Moderate	Less and disturbed
Habit	Enjoying water and flowers	Sports or politics	Travel
Beliefs	Loyal and constant	Leader and goal oriented	Radical or changing
Dream	Few and romantic	Fighting and colourful	Flying and anxious
Emotion	Calm and attached	Warm and angry	Enthusiastic but full of worries

Majority of peoples are with mix dosha’sMost of us are Dvandva or Dvidoshaja or dual prakrtis like Vaata – pitta, Pitta – kapha or Vaata – kapha. A person with all the three doshas in equal proportion is called Samadosha or tridoshajaprakrti.It is very rare to find an Ekaprakrti – person predominant of only one dosha like kevalavaataprakrti.

Basically in Ayurveda aahar – food  has a lot of dependency. The food type one eats increases or decreases the corresponding type of dosha in the body. One's activities also have a similar effect. For instance, vaataprakrti persons intaking more vaata predominant foods are likely to suffer disorders of vaata origin. By making eating choices in harmony with one's Prakrti needs, one can lead a healthy life.

Foods as per Prakriti

Food	KAPHA	PITTA	VAATA
Taste preferences	Pungent, bitter, and astringent .	Sweet, bitter and astringent	Sweet, sour and salty.
Do's and Dont's	Reduce use of sweet, sour, and salty tastes. Sweets must be avoided. Also try to restricting the consumption of excessive pungent foods in summer, instead prefer foods with a sour taste.	Pungent foods should be reduced.  Ayurveda suggests the intake of bitter and astringent foods during both summer and winter to promote Vata in summer and Kapha in winter. You could feast on sweets all year round.	Avoid anything pungent. It has a drying effect on your system. Ideally, in summer, prefer sour and salty tastes. Consume salty and pungent foods in winter. Use sweet taste as a supplement during both seasons.
Ayurveda Suggestions	Among dairy products, cottage and other types of cheese are the best options for you. Butter should be avoided and only toned milk be used. All frozen desserts are to be avoided. For your Kaphaprakriti, very little of fats and oils are required. Treat your body occasionally, with a warm oil therapy of mustard oil with a little amount of Apple vinegar.	You should avoid oily foods. Ayurveda recommends a reduced intake of oils and fats, as these promote the fire in your prakriti. Clarified butter is a better option. Among dairy products, yogurt is good for you. Milk, cheese, and cottage cheese can be used moderately. Indulge in all kinds of frozen desserts.	Most non - vegetarian diets suit your prakriti. preferably Aquatic meat  help to promote your Kapha levels. Dairy products like butter, cheese, yogurt and clarified butter are  considered good for you. Frozen desserts, Kulfi is a better option than ice - cream. Oil is a vital requirement of Vata bodies. Your prakriti needs frequent oil Massages.
Spices Suggested by Ayurveda for you	Cumin, fenugreek, sesame seed and turmeric.	Black pepper, coriander, and cardamom.	Cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger, cloves in moderation.
Dosha as per season	Kaphadosha is aggravated and increased in the spring of the year. During this season, eat less and choose more dry, fibrous foods. During wet, cold seasons.	Pitta dosha is aggravated and increased during summer. In hot, dry seasons, all mind-body types can choose some of the above foods and decrease others. Mental and emotional peace and constructive lifestyle routines are important to restoring and maintaining balance.	Vatadosha is aggravated and increased during autumn and early winter. During these seasons all mind-body types can include some of the above foods and decrease others. Mental and emotional peace and constructive lifestyle routines are important to restoring and maintaining balance.

If your basic constitution is mixed, include smaller portions for the second dosha.

It is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The primary focus of Ayurvedic medicine is to promote good health, rather than fight disease. But treatments may be recommended for specific health problems.