GET THE YOGA/AYURVEDA CONNECTION

So, it looks like you’re a yoga officionado, huh? Double thick yoga mat? Check. Flare-leg, low rise, yoga pants? Check. Nag Champa incense sticks? Check. Genuine understanding of the meaning of Ayurveda?

Uh, isn’t that the type of massage they’re running a special on at the spa? Maybe, but it is so much more than that.

If you’re like me you may have all the yoga “gear” but lack a basic understanding of Ayurvedic principles. Learning a little about Ayurveda can help you get the most out of your yoga practice AND you’ll sound really enlightened when you lunch with the yoga gals.

AYURVEDA: An ancient holistic medicine system from India that means “science of life.” Ayurveda is based on the principle that mind and body function as a unit and therefore must be treated or healed in conjunction with each other.

Two main principles of Ayurvedic health are:

1. INTERCONECTEDNESS: All things, living and non-living, are joined in the universe. People are born in balance with the universe but physical, emotional and spiritual disruptions can weaken the body

2. CONSTITUTION AND HEALTH: A person’s constitution or “prakriti”, is a combination of 3 “doshas”: vatta, pitta and kappa. These three doshas are a balance of five elements: space, air, fire, water and earth. The elements of a constitution can become imbalanced from an unhealthy diet, too much or too little physical or mental exertion, not being protected from the elements, germs or chemicals.

Let’s be honest, some days you head to the yoga studio with just one goal in mind - TONE MY BOOTY!!! Hey, it’s totally okay to practice in the hopes of attaining those coveted yoga-buns. But if yoga ends up being nothing more than a purely physical exercise, not only are you missing out on one of the best methods of alleviating mental stress, but you won’t be able to receive all of yoga’s physical benefits either.

While yoga can relieve stress and toxins through physical poses, it is most beneficial when you devote energy not only to its physical aspects but also to practicing mindfulness and attending to your spirit. In fact, yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, and comes from the same root as the English word “yoke”, as in- yoke between body, mind and soul.

Ayurveda complements yoga by teaching stress reduction through meditation, a detoxifying diet, and a lifestyle that takes your individual constitution into account.

Ayurvedia teaches that a clear mind begets a relaxed body and vice versa. So, if it’s your tush you’re worried about you’ll find that by refocusing and paying more attention to your spirit you will begin to stretch farther, bend deeper, and hold balance and strength poses longer. Meanwhile, as the physical body is fortified, the mind becomes more confident, peaceful and accepting.

Allowing yourself to trust in the truth of these principles can be difficult, especially when Western culture screams, “work harder, faster, push, push, push to get results!”

This week, take a few minutes to reflect on the Ayurvedic principles that have stood behind yoga for centuries. Try to imagine what it would feel like to truly balance your mind, emotions and physical body. Instead of focusing on how many bite-size Snickers you can burn off doing vinyasas, try investing yourself in the spiritual side of your yoga practice.

Tune in to what your mind and body are telling you - not what you think you should be forcing upon yourself - but what you really need that day, in that particular moment. Maybe today you need to be gentle with yourself, a little more forgiving. By listening to your spirit, it’s likely that tomorrow you will find you are feeling replenished both physically and mentally because you allowed your body and mind a chance to rejuvenate.

Balancing of mind and body through the practice of Ayurveda and yoga can help you reach new levels - both physically and spiritually. So slow down a little, allow yourself a chance to incorporate the physical and the spiritual in your life and you’ll find the beauty that emerges when a healthy mind, a happy spirit and a relaxed body align.

Namaste!

Xo,
Health Sundae

Technorati Tags: yoga, yoga mat, Ayurveda, detoxifying diet