What is My Prakriti?

Ayurveda offers a framework for understanding individual differences and how to harmonize with them to maintain balance in the face of change in order to enjoy a long, vital life. These differences are captured by the Sanskrit word Prakriti, which means manifest Nature. Prakriti as individual constitution is most simply described in terms of the proportion of three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

In practice, this reduces to seven main types that come from the three Doshas seen individually, in pairs or all together. In roughly 80% of people, two of the three Doshas are most dominant giving rise to Vata-Pitta, Vata-Kapha and Pitta-Kapha types. While the third is there, it plays such a small role with respect to the behavioral choices needed to maintain balance that it can generally be ignored. In another 10%, one of the three Doshas dominates for all practical purposes giving rise to "pure" Vata, Pitta and Kapha types. In the remaining 10%, the three Doshas all play an active role giving rise to the Tri-Dosha type.

While Prakriti may contrast with Vikriti, or imbalance, it is not always clear which is which.

This questionnaire explores the extent to which the three Doshas are manifest in your Prakriti. I ask all new clients to complete it as an adjunct to their consultation. It supplements the pulse reading and the responses to the other questionnaires.

Please use caution in interpreting the results of this questionnaire. It has not been validated against the "gold standard" of clinical assessment. Also, it does not distinguish Prakriti from Vikriti, or imbalance. Longstanding imbalances may masquerade as Prakriti. Faulty habits of diet and daily routine may modify Prakriti. I ofen see this in "night owls" who often have a Vata imbalance.

  • Respond to all items
  • Please provide your name if you want me to know your results
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Choose the response to each item that describes you best in the long-term view.

General Appearance

Considering my ethnicity, my complexion is:

My skin is:

Relative to others of my gender, my voice is:

My speech tends to be:

My bodily frame is:

In terms of weight, I am:

Qualities of Face and Hair

The texture of my hair is:

The amount of hair I have is:

My hair tends to be:

My eyes are:

The whites of my eyes are:

My teeth are naturally:

My teeth are:

Digestive Qualities

My hunger is:

The food that I generally prefer is:

I tend to eat:

My capacity for food is:

My bowel habit is:

Qualities of Mind

My mind is:

In terms of memory, I am:

My sleep is:

My dreams commonly involve:

My mood:

When stressed, I am:

My sex drive is:

Other people typically find me to be:

Physical Qualities

When working, I am:

My exercise tolerance is relatively:

My endurance is:

My strength is comparatively:

When walking, my natural pace tends to be:

Compared to the norms for my gender (Men 60-70, Women 70-80), my resting pulse rate is:

In terms of weather, I am least comfortable when it is:

If I get chilled it:

Relative to others, I tend to sweat (perspire):

Required Supportive Information

Your Gender Identity

Your Contact Information

Comments

Do your responses reflect your situation and represent permission to use your de-identified data in aggregate scientific studies? Clients should be able to comfortably answer yes. If not, please call to discuss.

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Original questionnaire adapted with permission © 1991 MAPI, Inc.
Revised 11/1/2020