Vikriti: Determining Your
Current State of Balance


Before you take this Vikriti (current state of balance) test, it is useful to know your Prakriti (natural state of balance, also known as, your Ayurvedic constitution). If you already know your Prakriti, please proceed. If you are interested in learning what your Ayurvedic constitution is, please take this simple Prakriti self-test first

Vikriti is a Sanskrit word loosely translated as a “changed condition of body, mind and consciousness.” In Ayurveda, it is most often used to describe your current state of health (or ill-health) in relation to your Prakriti, or “natural state.”

While Prakriti, your natural constitution, remains stable throughout life and encompasses characteristics like eye color and height, Vikriti can fluctuate yearly, monthly, daily or even minute-to-minute. These fluctuations are a constant, healthy part of life. It is not the changes but our resistance or inability to make necessary adjustments to the changes that causes one or more doshas (vata, pitta or kapha) to become imbalanced.

The most common way for a dosha to become imbalanced is by increasing beyond its natural equilibrium. The most dominant dosha often increases more quickly than the other doshas because we tend to perpetuate what we know best. This is especially true for vata because it has a mobile quality that makes it quick to vitiate. Gratefully it can be the easiest to bring back to balance, for the same reason.

Regardless of your constitution-type, any of the three doshas can increase and when a dosha increases, an environment where disease can flourish is fostered. For example, increased vata may lead to anxiety or nervousness, increased pitta may lead to a skin rash and increased kapha may lead to an overweight condition. These are usually temporary conditions that can be addressed by bringing the doshas back into balance.

To help find out if any of your doshas are currently increased and how to bring them back to balance, please take the following short evaluation. Answer the questions based on your current condition rather than according to what is usually true, used to be true or you wish were true. At the end of the evaluation you will be directed to guidelines to restore balance to your constitution.

Note: Even a thoughtful test cannot take the place of an evaluation by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. An evaluation by your practitioner may be even more accurate.

Vikriti “Current State of Balance” Test

(These are characteristics, qualities or tendencies that you
have had for the past few days, weeks, months or even years)

Quality

Yes

No
1. I have been feeling nervous, fearful, panicky, anxious or frantic
2. I have twitches, tics, tremors or spasms in my body and I fidget a lot
3. My skin is dry and easily chapped
4. I have been suffering from dry, hard stools, constipation, gas, or bloating or I have been having loose stools due to emotional upset
5. I feel I am underweight
6. Lately I have a stronger dislike of the wind and cold than usual
7. I have a difficult time tolerating loud noise
8. My sleep has been light, interrupted, restless or disturbed
9. I feel scattered, spacey and have difficulty concentrating or have poor memory
10. I am prone to over-thinking or worrying
11. I have a red, inflamed or burning rash, acne, cold sores or fever blisters
12. There is acute inflammation in my body or joints
13. I have acid reflux, heartburn, acid indigestion or a gastric or peptic ulcer or a tight, burning feeling in my stomach or digestive tract
14. I feel nauseated or uncomfortable if I miss a meal
15. I have been having loose stools that are not due to emotional upset
16. I have been feeling uncomfortably warm or hot
17. I have been feeling frustrated, irritable or angry
18. I can be easily judgmental, impatient, critical or intolerant of others
19. My eyes have been red, bloodshot, inflamed or sensitive to light
20. I expect perfection of myself or others
21. I have excess mucous in my body or nasal or lung congestion
22. I have a thick, white coat on my tongue
23. My bowel movements are slow, sticky, sluggish, or feel incomplete
24. I am overweight
25. It is difficult for me to wake up in the mornings, even if I sleep deeply for 8-10 hours, and I feel lethargic throughout the day.
26. I have been feeling slow, foggy, dull, lethargic or heavy
27. In the morning I have to cough up a lot of mucous
28. I have a deep, wet cough that produces a lot of mucous
29. I feel complacent, stubborn and resistant to any change, or my close friends and family tell me that I am very slow to change or to make a decision
30. I am prone to excessive emotional eating, especially of sweet, heavy foods

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Copyright

The above information was written by Dr. Claudia Welch and edited by Melissa A.Sfida for the exclusive use of Banyan Trading Co. The information is protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without the written permision of Dr. Claudia Welch and Banyan Trading Co. More about Dr. Claudia Welch

Disclaimer

The above Vikriti test and results are intended as a convenient tool to provide practical information on your Ayurvedic constitutional type. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. In addition, it should be noted that while this information should be considered highly useful it is not meant to replace the skilled constitutional analysis of a professionally trained Ayurvedic Physician.