Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution by Dr. Robert Svoboda
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Book Reviews of Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution
Book Review: A Very Comprehensive Guidebook
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very well written, interesting, comprehensive and outstandingly original interpretation of Ayurvedic knowledge that I have returned to consult again and again and which occupies a prominent position on my bookshelf. Written by the first Westerner to take a full course on Ayurveda in India, it bears the mark of singular accomplishment in the field. I fully agree with Sam (the earlier reviewer) that this book goes way beyond Deepak Chopra's books in its understanding of the physical Nature of the human constitution.
In this book, the author presents an unusually clear and detailed portrayal of the three doshas, the characteristics of people where one or both of these doshas predominate, the appropriate nutrition and lifestyle for them to follow, and the kind of imbalances that would lead to diseases for each type. Disorders like cancer, consumption, obesity and rheumatism are treated in detail. The analysis on obesity is very sensitive and that alone is worth the price of the book.
Some of the remedial treatments considered in this book appear a touch impractical and outdated. The reason, perhaps is, because Ayurvedic practice is based on a worldview that is very different from the Western Occidental way of life. One senses in the book, a thinking that is based on the assumption that all things are connected and designed to promote optimal health and where disease is more the exclusion rather than the norm.
I give this book five stars because it is so readable.
Book Review: So good I went back for more.
Summary: 5 Stars
As a yoga practitioner since 1995 and a yoga teacher since 2000 I've read a lot of books on everything about yoga. I also run a yoga book club at the studio where I teach. My students are always curious about eating more yogicly and taking their yoga to the next level. I had a few requests on yoga and diet so I started researching the best books that would be readable for all levels. This is how I stumbled upon Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution.
I read most of it over one weekend. It was so interesting and the knowledge that Mr Svoboda imparts really sinks in, better than other books that seem to hold Ayurveda at arms length. I've known what my dosha was for years but never really connected the dots. I immediately started thinking about how I eat, what tastes I like best and when. When I got to the last page I went right back to the beginning and reread it to go over what I didn't get on the first pass. Three months later it's still on my night stand. I learn something new every time I pick it up. I consider it a little jewel, jammed packed with good info. It took my understanding to the next level. I've read two other books on Ayurveda since then but this is the one that made it all make sense for me.
You don't have to practice yoga to enjoy this book. Ayurveda is the medicinal branch of the yoga. It helps. Ayurveda like yoga is done in levels - practice, observe and adjust appropriately. It can change your life.
Book Review: An amazingly good guide to ayurveda
Summary: 5 Stars
I was given this book by a friend and absolutely found it amazing. If you're new to it or ayurveda seems to mystical to you, this book explains it. The author is a westerner and is able to communicate his knowledge of ayurveda extremely well. Ive read a lot of books on ayurveda this beats every one of them by far (and is way better than the books Ive read by Deepak Chopra), simply because it digs beneath the superficial understanding of ayurveda to why it makes sense scientifically.
For example, all of the other books I previously read on ayurveda described an individuals health as a natural balance of three elements (wind, fire, and earth). This book made the useful distinction of describing an individuals health as the balance of 3 natural FORCES in your body (vata: catabolism, pitta: metabolism, kapha: anabolism)
I have ulcerative colitis and over a couple of years of my own personal research and experimentation I've come to certain natural methods to help treat my condition. But later on when I got my hands on this book I was suprised to find that most of those recommendations were already described here.
My recommendation is take this book and read it very slowly and carefully digest the points on ayurveda and youll have a really really solid practical understanding of the science that you can use for the rest of your life.
Book Review: Accessible and Deep Introduction to Ayurveda by a Western Physician and Graduate from an Indian College of Ayurveda
Summary: 5 Stars
"Prakruti" - the first edition of "Prakriti" - was recommended to us by a Sri Lankan ayurvedic physician. His own copy of "Prakruti" was full of comments. He used it to explain the original texts in Sanskrit to us Westerners. We immediately read it eagerly.
With "Prakruti" you get a solid introduction with the eyes of a western physician and a complete college level ayurvedic background. Great! And maybe sometimes a little over idealistic as is often found in converts. The western medicine is sometimes a bit dated in line with the publication date of this book. Therefore not every analogy in western medicine is still a good one, but the analogy still improves understanding.
This second edition is extremely close in text to the first edition Prakruti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution. I do like the printing of the illustrations in the first edition better.
In total this is the best introduction I have found so far and I do heartily recommend it.
Book Review: I liked this book and would recommend it
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read several books on ayurveda, done a couple of the self analysis charts and even had an ayurvedic consult but the concepts have remained elusive. I had rejected ayurveda as a system of self knowledge and potential healing for myself. However, when I picked up this book and started to leaf through it I could instantly relate to the descriptions of the doshas, how they express in people, including myself. This is the first book I've come across that spells it out so simply and therefore makes the knowledge applicable. In regards to how food relates to and affects the doshas this book again, quite simply, lays out the information. From the westerners point of view it is a little hard to fully appreciate the aspects of food (taste) and how that affects our doshas but with a little faith you can kind of see how foods do affect us.
The book is a quick read, well written to keep you moving through the subjects and understandable.
I would recommend this book to someone who wants to learn about ayurveda.