The Connection of Yoga and Ayurveda
Ayurveda is known as a sister science to Yoga, which were both developed during a similar timeline. Yoga is known as a physical practice here in the West, however it was primarily developed as a spiritual practice to find inner liberation through meditation and long asana (posture) holds. Yoga as we know it now, is a modern form of the practice and wasn’t developed until the 1900s. The practice changed and evolved into many lineages or branches of physical practice. All physical yoga practices were inspired by Krishnamacharya, the father of Hatha Yoga. Yoga was originally only a spiritual and meditation practice, and Ayurveda was developed as the physical sister practice which runs parallel to and supports the development of the spirit through physical health.
Yoga is a form of therapy (cikitsa) that helps prevent disease through finding peace of mind. Understanding that the mind directly affects the physical body and vice versa, tending to both is crucial in order to find contentment, vitality, and longevity. The aim of modern yoga is not only to meant to build strength and flexibility, but also to restore the body back to its sattvic state so it can perceive reality with more clarity and ease. Ayurveda teaches us to nurture and support the wholeness of ourselves; the body, the mind, and the spirit, all of which are interconnected.
What does Asana and Pranayama mean?
Asana is the name that embodies and describes all physical yoga postures. It can also be used to describe the movements made to get into or out of a posture. There are are many postures including seated, standing, twisting, folding, back-bending, and lateral motions all aiming to improve strength, stamina, flexibility, and help the body prepare for meditation which is the focus of Yoga. Every movement in yoga is paired with either an inhale or an exhale. The asana is mastered when the movement becomes steady and effortless; when each posture feels strong but relaxed and when the breath comes easily. The syncing of movement with the breath in specific sequences is a lineage of yoga called vinyasa.
Pranayama translates to '“the expansion of vital energy”. This is the practice of breath work, teaching us how to cultivate and expand our life force through altering the flow, intensity and direction of our breath. The are 5 types of vayus (winds) in the body which govern various organ functions, help balance the physical and energetic bodies, and support seasonal imbalances. These 5 winds are prana (inward), apana (downwards), udana (upward), samana (horizontal), vyana (outwards).
Observations have shown us that any disturbance to the physical, emotional, or spiritual body can alter our breathing patterns. The practice of pranayama can help us regain awareness of these changes and learn how to return back to balance. When we become aware of how our prana travels through the body, we can better understand how to find balance, especially during seasonal and doshic imbalances and changes.
How do you Balance the Doshas through Yoga?
Yoga as a form of therapy can be approached in many different ways. In Ayurveda, we like to take a look at the seasons, and then each individual and their specific imbalances. It is best to use yoga as a tool to help you balance your personal dosha and any imbalances that you may feel.
Vata Balancing Yoga
To balance the light, airy, and nervous nature of vata dosha, the yoga practice should be grounding, stable, and primarity focused on apana vayu (downward moving wind). Vata tends to be erratic, light, fast, mobile and anxious, so it is best to establish a slow, rhythmic and repetitive sequence that allows you to feel stable, and connected to the earth through the feet. Seated postures, or postures with both feet grounded can help support the frazzled nature of vata as well as heavy blankets, props and grounding music. Vata is most dominant in the Fall/early Winter, so it is crucial to establish a practice during that season especially.
Pitta Balancing Yoga
Most dominant during late spring/Summer, this hot, sharp, intense and intense energy should be balanced through a cooling, quiet and noncompetitive yoga practice. It is best for this dosha type to avoid hot yoga, fast paced vinyasa practices, practicing in front of mirrors, or any environment that encourages criticism or competition. Gravitate towards a yoga practice that helps you surrender, be compassionate, accepting, and soothing. The postures should be challenging but not overheating or over stimulating. Twists, forward folds, restorative inversions, long meditations, and vyana vayu (outward moving wind).
Kapha Balancing Yoga
Kapha is slow, dense, heavy and cold, embodying the quiet nature of Winter. Kapha types should emphasize vigorous, energizing, uplifting and heated yoga practices. Longer holds and standing posture can help lift the downward moving energy of kapha. Ujjayi breathing can help build heat and stamina throughout the body as well is diaphragmatic breathing which helps carry more oxygen to the lungs, bringing in the air element. Backbends, downward facing dog, inversions and headstands all support in releasing stagnation, increasing circulation, and releasing water retention.
