Vikruti: Shifting into Spring

By Melina Meza • April 30th, 2012 • 4348 Views

In Ayurveda, we use the word Vikruti to acknowledge your current health condition, which may be affected by seasonal changes, a visit or move to a new geographical location, or the shift from one phase of life to another. Even though your original “yogic DNA” (called Prakriti) will never change, the changes you notice from external circumstances can make you feel like a different person, for better or worse. Vikruti is a way to more accurately describe your constitution based on what’s happening from moment to moment. It can help you see what health concerns may be on the rise and where your dosha and the elements may be out of alignment. 

As many of you know, the ancient yogis taught and believed that you are one with Nature, and that in order for you to evolve and stay healthy, you need diversity. Nature is always changing, and since we are one with nature, we too are in a constant state of renewal. The question is, are you aware of what’s changing within in you from moment to moment, from season to season, from sunrise to sunset, from breakfast to dinner.

Awareness of change

Not sure where to start paying attention? Well, from an Ayurvedic standpoint, it’s helpful to know your Prakriti, (your Ayurvedic constitution) to prevent the typical diseases that accompany your constitution based on the five elements  – ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Knowing which elements your tendencies and cravings come from can help you prevent behaviors or habits from moving forward that decrease your sense of well-being. If you are interested in learning more about your Prakriti, Vikruti, and treating your doshas, I highly recommend seeking the counsel of a local Ayurvedic practitioner.

Within the art of Ayurveda, there will never be one remedy or one sequence that brings everyone or their dosha back into alignment. The response to every inquiry about your health is that “It depends,” as my teacher, Dr. Robert Svoboda, was so fond of saying. “It depends” teaches you to see the interconnectedness between you and your lifestyle, how changing one facet of your routine will affect another. It’s a friendly reminder that humans in general are complex, and it’s wise to look at or diagnose the body/mind/soul from many angles.

Adapting to Spring

For me, the spring season brings up a lot of desire for change, to grow food, eat lighter, and to exercise more than during the winter. In general, Ayurveda cautions you from living without enough variety and with too...

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Location:  San Francisco Bay Area, US

Melina has been exploring the art and science of yoga and nutrition for over 18 years. She combines her knowledge of Hatha Yoga, Ayurveda, whole foods nutrition, and healthy lifestyle promotion into a unique style called...