Prakruthi refers to the innermost nature of any individual and is the special blend of qualities that makes each of us unique. To understand Prakruti, you need to understand how Ayurveda views the body.

Individuals take form as a result of 3 life-giving forces called Tri-Dosha i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The Tri-Dosha is the inherent intelligence of the body which orchestrates all the functions of the body shaping how we look, how our metabolic processes function, how we think, feel, and how we respond to external stimuli

It is important to understand that no one Dosha is better than the other as each of them needs coordination with the other for normal function. Primarily they are all made up of the 5 basic elements (Pancha Mahabuthas) i.e., Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether /Space. It is vital that the Tri-Dosha works together in harmony for one to realize one’s maximum potential. An imbalance of any one of the Tri-Dosha is viewed as the underlying force of all physical, mental, and spiritual problems.

At different times of our lives, each Dosha has a period of dominance for e.g. From birth to puberty we are more dominated by Kapha while Pitta dominates from puberty until around our retirement years and in the later years, the body is dominated by Vata. Because of the fluctuating qualities, these Tri-Dosha tend to move out of balance which is when they affect particular areas of our body and mind in their characteristic ways.