Yoga & Awareness
Yoga, like Ayurveda, aims to balance and purify the mind-body, enabling us to reach our highest potential. They are sister sciences, where Yoga embodies the physical postures within the Ayurvedic medical system. Thus, there are certain postures and types of yoga that will benefit our unique dosha and that can be practiced in routine with self-massage, pranayama, and meditation. However, we must go slowly and carefully, as our inner awareness needs to be established before opening channels of energy in the physical body; otherwise, we may be forcing the mental and emotional bodies to open before they are ready.
Establishing inner awareness is something only you can do for yourself, and I am Ayurveda can help by providing key insights with accountability practices. As you prepare your mental and emotional bodies for the practice of yoga, it will have a ripple effect on all aspects of your life. If your inner awareness is primed for yoga and even if it isn’t, you can read about some of the dosha-specific yoga practices found below.
Vata Dosha
People with a vata nature generally benefit from movements and postures that calm the mind and strengthen the body. During Hatha Yoga, we move at a slow, steady pace and hold each posture for a short period while completing multiple repetitions.
Complementary to the focus and strength Hatha Yoga offers, Restorative Yoga encourages physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Both types of yoga offer vata-natured people the opportunity to become present, which can be one of their greatest challenges, yet at the same time turn into one of their greatest experiences.
Pitta Dosha
People with a pitta nature will benefit from practicing yoga with ease. They will thrive during Hatha Yoga due to its precise movements that strengthen the mind-body, and they will find a harmonious advantage if they include Yin Yoga into their practice. Yin Yoga offers pitta-natured people the opportunity to experience purpose-driven relaxation, which balances their mission-driven mindset.
Kapha Dosha
People with a kapha nature benefit from challenging, vigorous movements that keep their chest and shoulders open and lifted. In this way, Kundalini Yoga requires tenacity and precision to hold its long poses that are accompanied by certain types of pranayama. The impact of Kundalini Yoga is instantaneous, which inspires kapha-natured people to return time and again, creating a healthy routine.