Applying Ayurvedic Science:
Knowing about Ayurvedic Science and especially the Dosha’s and Guna’s you can start applying it to your daily life, yoga and meditation. This includes the type of yoga practice you do that time, day, season and time in your life.
Often we can find ourselves in habits not only in our practice but in diet, sleep, lifestyles. Only by growing more awareness can we break the habits and explore other possibilities.
Paige often helps assess the mood, energy and any obstacles by inquiring in everyday terms. However what she is doing is assessing the Dosha and Guna’s to design a plan of care around this. If you start working with her more she will include a path or knowledge and education so you can learn this more on your own as well.
Example of Yoga Practices based on the Dosha:
Kapha is strongest in the late winter and early spring when everything is moist, the temperature gets warmer and all the flowers and plants begin to grow.
Pitta reaches its peak in summer when the weather is hot and nature is in a state of transformation between creation and destruction.
Vata intensifies in the fall and early winter when the leaves fall, the plants recede back into the earth and the wind leaves us dry and cold. When we have an understanding of how the doshas flow with nature, we can adjust our diet, asana and life so that we can be healthy & remain balanced.
Although asana’s are listed below it is important to know that any of the asanas could be practiced all year by any Dosha type; just depends on how it is taught, sequence, length and intension.
You should find a qualified and experienced teacher who can guide you with the proper modifications or alternations that will be healthiest to you based on the changes day to day, time in life, season and the uniqueness of your conditions.
Ayurveda believes in 6 seasons even if we live in an area that doesn’t experience a large seasonal change:
Early Winter Nov 15- Jan 15- Kapha
Winter Jan 15-March 15 - Vata
Spring March 15- May 15 Kapha
Summer May 15-July 15 - Pitta
Early Fall - July 15 - Sept 15 - Pitta
Fall Sept 15 - Nov 15 - Vata
Ayurveda also believes in stages of life that are reflected by a Dosha:
Ages 0-25: Kapha
Ages 25-50: Pitta
Ages 50-75: Pitta/Vata
Ages 75+: Vata
Other aspects are the stages reflected by the time of day:
6am-10am: Kapha
10am to 2pm: Pitta
2pm to 6pm: Vata
6pm to 10pm: Kapha
10pm to 2am: Pitta
2am to 6am: Vata
Kapha constitutions:
It is important that everyone keep active to ward off kapha-related conditions. Kaphas must especially keep warm and active to avoid kapha buildup (and hence colds, weight gain, sluggishness, depression etc). Vatas and Pittas should be ok with a Kapsha routine especially in the later winter/Springtime. Brisk walks are good, as are vigorous yoga as it helps clear out kappa. Getting more sleep in winter, especially if a Vata, who gets easily worn out and run down it is time to watch nature as it often starts in February from within to bloom again.
Examples of asanas for Kaphas:
Faster paced Sun Salutation, Camel pose, Boat, Headstand prep, handstand jumps/prep, warrior 3, half moon. More moving positions and less time spent on resting positions. Very uplifting and energetic. Pranayama – Bhastrika (breath of fire) and Alt. Nostril with breath retention – all to warm the body.
Pitta constitutions:
Pitta is hot and intense, so that needs to be balanced with things that are cool, light and floating. Pittas will suffer the most during summer; as much as they enjoy the season. Pitta is made up of the elements of Fire and Water though. So don’t forget it has water. Too much heat will unbalance as much as too much water. The most important thing is to find the middle ground to cool down. Need mild or gentle cooling movement; such as swimming and walking through a cool forest or sitting by the water, lake or ocean (Great for Vata as well during this season – Mind Vata). If you do yoga it doesn’t mean just do gentle yoga though but you may want to explore it more regular in the summer. Often Pitta types have to be “tricked” into the challenge of slowing down, holding and maintaining; allowing them to air out the body with their body and breath. So the focus is on expanding and opening.
Examples of asanas for Pittas:
Slower paced sun salutation, modified up-dog (knees down); plant to forearm plank – not held long. Down dog only held for shorter breaths – not building heat. Fish pose or supported fish pose. Twists, leg-lift pose (standing or laying down). Cobra and frog pose. Pigeon and lizard – both held longer to setting down. Legs against the wall. Pranayama – Shitali breaths, Yoga Nidra for visualization of the calm and coolness of places such as the mountains, lakes, grass. Mantra sounds are cooling as well.
Vata constitutions: “Mind Vata” always as it is the leader of the elements.
Vata is dry from wind as well as finishing a hot summer. Instead of burning the fire out – it is important to start to slow down. Listen to the foods of fall that are based on being grown from the earth. This is a time of grounding and the asana focus should be this way as well. Not just physically – but looking and observing down or out; instead of up.
In the fall and early winter (vata season), it is best to eat warm, nourishing foods to help balance the excess vata present in our external environment. Without vata reducing foods during the fall and early winter, we are likely to experience vata imbalances such as systemic dryness, scattered thoughts, fatigue or anxiety.
Examples of asanas for Vatas:
Slow moving sun salutation, plank, grounded focus on lunges, cat/cow, warriors, tree pose, and other standing postures. Lotus, child, bridge posture. Supported shoulder-stand and plow. Half hero and half frog. Gentle Kapalbhati breaths and Alternate Nostril breath.