I'm sure many of you are familiar with the practice of yoga and may have even tried a few exercises before. What you may not know is that the practice of Yoga and the practice of Ayurveda share a very similar history and source. They are as complimentary as the sun is to the moon. As said by an Ayurvedic practitioner “Ayurveda is the science and yoga is the practice of the science.”
Ayurveda uses Doshas, three biological makeups that represent certain element and bodily functions. These Doshas are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha . Vata Dosha governs bodily movement, adaptability, and equilibrium, acting in accordance with the elements of space and air. Pitta Dosha represents physical and emotional digestion, bodily transformation, and chemical and metabolic functions. The elements it rules come from fire and water. Kapha Dosha harbors the elements of earth and water, representing the force of bodily stability, support, and energy. Ayurvedic practice rules that each person contains all three dosha forces within them, but one predominates. The key to ayurvedic yoga is to use your major dosha to achieve balance.
Vata Yoga
When your vata dosha is out of alignment is is generally characterized by a lack of stability, restlessness, and disassociation. Vata yoga cultivates warmth, flow, and focus to find your balance. Some poses for this type of yoga can be:
Savasana (Corpse) pose
Cobra pose
Pigeons pose
Childs pose
Cat-Cow variations
Warrior I & II
Tree pose
Mountain pose
While practicing vata yoga try to move slowly and flow with the natural rhythm of your body. Ground yourself through your feet and legs imagining roots coming out from under you. Focus on breathwork, prolonging inhalation and exhale completely. Take some time to rest in Savasana pose after your practice. Below are two vata Dosha routines you can watch and follow along.
Pitta Dosha
A Pitta Dosha out of alignment can look like harbored anger or jealousy, overanalyzing, digestive issues and bodily inflammation. Pitta yoga as such, is all about having fun to invite a sense of respect, compassion, and creativity. Some poses might be:
Bridge pose
Forward fold
Revolved Chair pose
Locust pose
Shoulder Stand
Extended Side Angle
Three-Legged Dog pose
Toe Touch
This specific practice is all about keeping your body loose. Move and flow to your own instinct and liking using your breath as means to release any tension. Use twisting motions to open your ribs and find out where you are storing tension in the body. Use your space to invite kinetic energy and random movement into your routine. Here are some examples of Pitta Dosha yogic routines.
Kapha Yoga
An unbalanced Kapha Dosha can merit difficulty breathing, depression, drowsiness, and stagnation. Kapha yoga works on building resilience, stamina, and contentment. The yogic positions in this practice may be:
Warrior I, II, & III
Reverse Warrior
Pyramid pose
Downward Dog
Breath of Joy
Goddess pose
Chair pose
Camel pose
This practice uses a quick pace to liven the body and cultivate the brain. Take shorter breaths and pause between each one. Use this exercise to push yourself beyond what you think is possible by adding trickier variations. Open and puff your chest inviting confidence, and always remember to be gracious with yourself.
Good luck with your practice, may you be blessed and well.
References
“Kapha-Pacifying Yoga.” Ayurveda Kapha-Balancing Yoga Poses | Banyan Botanicals,
Banyan Botanicals, 27 Aug. 2021, https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/yoga/kapha-pacifying-yoga/.
Lombardo, Crystal. “What Is Ayurveda Yoga.” Celebrate Yoga, 8 May 2017,
https://celebrateyoga.org/what-is-ayurveda-yoga/.
“Pitta-Pacifying Yoga.” Ayurveda Pitta-Balancing Yoga Poses | Banyan Botanicals, Banyan
Botanicals, 5 June 2019, https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/yoga/pitta-pacifying-yoga/.
Templeton, Kathryn. “About Kapha.” Home, Yoga International,
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/about-kapha.
Templeton, Kathryn. “About Pitta.” Home, Yoga International, 12 June 2013,
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/about-pitta.
Templeton, Kathryn. “About Vata.” Home, Yoga International, 28 Feb. 2017,
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/about-vata.
“Vata-Pacifying Yoga.” Ayurveda Vata-Balancing Yoga | Banyan Botanicals, Banyan
Botanicals, 31 Aug. 2021, https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/yoga/vata-pacifying-yoga/.