From Kundalini to Power yoga to hot yoga, there are various forms and philosophies of yoga that can help with a variety of ailments and human conditions. Each of these kinds of yoga has its benefits, but not every form of yoga is right for everyone. Some may be looking for daily exercise, while others may require yoga therapy, which can deeply attend to their individual goals and alleviate their suffering.
An example of yoga therapy that centers on the individual rather than a group is Ayurveda yoga. Incorporating Ayurveda into the healing process may be the key to lasting well-being, but what is Ayurveda yoga, exactly?
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of medicine that has been practiced for over 3,000 years. Its name comes from the Sanskrit words ayur (“life”) and veda (“science”/”knowledge”)… or “knowledge of life.” In the view of Ayurveda, the body and mind are interconnected, and the basis of Ayurvedic medicine is tridosha or the “three doshas.”
What are these three doshas in Ayurveda? They are vata, kapha, and pitta, and they correspond to your physiological, mental, and emotional health. When the three doshas are in balance, congratulations! You’re in good health, both mentally and physically. However, when your doshas are imbalanced, disease and unhappiness can take root in your life.
The purpose of Ayurvedic practice is to bring about tridoshic balance, and this means clients need to adopt certain changes in their diets and activities. Ayurveda yoga, in particular, aims to assist with this balancing of your doshas with a customized program of special postures, meditation, and breathing exercises.
Ayurveda is considered the sister science to yoga. According to some views, Ayurveda provides you access to the diagnosis of your ills, while yoga provides the cure. Yoga exercises help mindfully connect you with your body. Ayurveda encompasses more than just exercises, though; in practice, it represents an entire philosophy of life and living.
When you get right down to it, Ayurveda and yoga are really two sides of the same coin. And Ayurveda yoga, in particular, represents the great intersection of these two ancient sciences of life. In short, Ayurveda yoga practitioners have access to diagnosis and cure in one package, promoting a more holistic approach to your well-being.
More popularized forms of yoga offer a one-size-fits-all approach to wellness; you’re in a room with others, and everyone does the same exercises at the same time. But, since every human being is different, Ayurvedic yoga offers a more specialized practice of yoga. It’s based on your own needs, tailored to correcting your own individual imbalances.
Remember the meaning of “Ayurveda?” It’s “knowledge of life.” As for “yoga,” that comes from the Sanskrit root word “yuj,” meaning “to join” or “to unite.” Ayurveda yoga is, thus, the holistic union of the knowledge of life and the practices of yoga.
An Ayurvedic yoga therapist uses their knowledge of the three doshas to guide clients through yoga practices that fit their clients’ unique physiologies and characteristics. For instance, what works for someone with a vata imbalance will not work for someone of a pitta nature or a kapha imbalance; great care must be taken in the approach to dosha-specific asana and pranayama practices.
Breathing Deeply offers courses in Ayurvedic yoga therapy, which can help restore balance in yourself or help you reduce the suffering of others so that they might achieve wellness for themselves.
In a 2019 study, researchers found that “A whole-systems Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga therapy approach provides a feasible promising noninvasive low-cost alternative to traditional weight loss interventions with potential added benefits associated with sustainable holistic lifestyle modification and positive psychosocial changes.” (Rioux & Howerter, 2019).
What other conditions or ailments might really benefit from Ayurveda yoga? Too many suffer today from anxiety disorders, PTSD, insomnia, depression, autoimmune diseases, and addiction, and many need cancer support.
On the whole, Ayurveda yoga can help restore balance and provide great relief for those dealing with many issues. Ayurvedic yoga therapy is a mind-body-spirit approach (Patel & Klagholz, 2019) that can aid in getting in touch with, rather than suppressing, your emotions. Ayurveda offers a path to a happier, healthier, and more physically fit life.
Ayurveda is the science of mindfully living with the laws of nature. Breathing Deeply offers Ayurveda yoga therapy courses directed at aspiring yoga practitioners and clients who can benefit from it. To see how you can begin your Ayurveda yoga journey with Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy, get in touch today.
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