Doshas are a central concept in Ayurveda, the science of life, which examines physical constitution, emotional nature, and spiritual outlook in the context of the universe. According to Ayurveda, a persons health is based on their dosha, which is a balance of the five elements of the world known as air, earth, space, water, and fire. There are three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each person has a unique constitution, but they generally fall under one of these three main dosha types based on their body type, personality, and sensitivities. Doshas are considered to shape the physical body according to a natural constitution established at birth, determined by the constitutions of the parents as well as the time of conception and other factors. This natural constitution represents the healthy norm for a balanced state for a particular individual. Dosha imbalances can be caused by lifestyle, diet, stress, genetic propensities, or external factors. The particular ratio of the doshas in a persons natural constitution is associated with determining their mind-body type, including various physiological and psychological characteristics such as physical appearance, physique, and personality. The Ayurvedic notion of doshas describes how bad habits, wrong diet, overwork, etc. may cause relative deficiencies or excesses which cause them to become imbalanced in relation to the natural constitution (prakriti) resulting in a current condition (vikriti) which may potentially lead to disease.