The word Dosha translates to "fault"—something with an inherent tendency to move out of balance. This is not a negative term. All three doshas share this same tendency to shift and change, and it is precisely this quality that gives the human system its dynamism. When Ayurveda assesses your dosha, it is really asking two questions: Who were you born as, and where do you stand right now?

The first is your Prakriti, your body's original constitution—the one you were born with. The second is your Vikriti, whatever has shifted out of balance more recently.

Your Prakriti is shaped by three energies, present in all of us in varying proportions.

Vata is the energy of air and ether. It governs movement, creativity, and change.

Pitta is the energy of fire and water. It governs transformation, digestion, and focus.

Kapha is the energy of earth and water. It governs stability, structure, and steadiness.

You were born with a unique proportion of all three, though one or two typically lead. This proportion remains constant throughout your life. It shapes your digestion, your natural energy patterns, and, at the deepest level, who you are.

Your Vikriti, by contrast, is a continually evolving state. It reflects what is happening for you today, this week, or this season. Stress, weather, sleep, and the demands of daily life can all shift you temporarily out of balance.

Before you begin: When answering questions about your Prakriti, reflect on your lifelong tendencies—not simply a stressful week or a period of illness. When answering questions about your Vikriti, focus only on how you've been feeling over the past few weeks.

The first is your Prakriti, your body's original constitution, the one you were born with. The second is your Vikriti, whatever has shifted out of balance more recently.

Your Prakriti is shaped by three energies, present in all of us in varying proportions:

• Vata is the energy of air and ether. It governs movement, creativity, and change.
• Pitta is the energy of fire and water. It governs transformation, digestion, and focus.
• Kapha is the energy of earth and water. It governs stability, structure, and steadiness.

You were born with a unique proportion of all three, though one or two typically lead. This proportion remains constant throughout your life. It shapes your digestion, your natural energy patterns, and, at the deepest level, who you are.

Your Vikriti, by contrast, is a continually evolving state. It reflects what is happening for you today, this week, this season shaped by stress, weather, sleep, or the demands of a difficult month, any of which can shift you temporarily off center.

A few notes before you begin: when answering questions about your Prakriti, reflect on your life as a whole, not simply a stressful week or a period of illness. When answering questions about your Vikriti, focus only on the past few weeks.