“The Vedic seers developed a remarkable system of healing based on the five basic elements of the universe -- earth, water, fire, air and ether and their combinations -- Vata, Pitta and Kapha, known as doshas. Your dosha is your constitutional type. Based on the permutations and combinations of the three doshas, there can be seven types of prakriti or constitution,” informs Dr Prakash Kalmadi, medical director, KARE. “By knowing your type, you have access to useful information on what to eat, how to exercise, how to cleanse and purify your body and how to prevent diseases,“ he adds.

“Vatas must find time for tranquility, consume warm and unctuous foods tempered with spices. Pittas must de-stress, retreat to cooler climes and have foods that are not too spicy and Kaphas must indulge in plenty of physical activity; consuming hot and dry foods like millet, chillies and fenugreek will energise them and keep them balanced,” he adds.