Yoga to Balance the Doshas
Typically, it is believed that there are five key elements that make up the universe and these are the earth, air, space, water and fire. In the science of Ayurveda, the five elements are combined in pairs to arrive at individual’s doshas or the three characteristics of an individual’s constitution. These include:
- Pitta dosha: which is a combination of water and fire elements
- Vata dosha: which is a combination of air and space elements
- Kapha dosha which is a combination of water and earth.
Each of these doshas are known to have their own recommended yoga poses.
Yoga for Vata (Wind)
A person is said to have a vata dosha if they are creative, intelligent, quick thinking, move swiftly and are also adaptable.
However people with vata dosha can also space out if they are not grounded and they tend to get aggravated very easily as well. People with vata dosha should practice fluid movements to increase the fire and water elements as well as increase joints flexibility.
- Yoga for vata dosha includes practicing standing postures that are known to be heating, strengthening and grounding.
- Balancing postures can also be used to force the mind back into the present
- Yoga for vata dosha also includes breathing exercises to bring about a sense of tranquillity and peace.
Yoga for Pitta (Bile)
An individual who is said to have a pitta dosha as per ayurveda is one who will aim at establishing some balance between the heart and the mind.
Yoga poses for pitta dosha people will include postures that allow them to develop their levels of patience which in turn will allow them to develop a stronger connection with their surroundings as well as their inner space.
Some of the yoga asanas for pitta yoga include:
- Balancing postures
- Yoga mudra
- Shashankasana
- Khatu Pranam
- Yoga Nidra
- Breathing exercises
Yoga for Kapha (Phlegm) dosha
A person with a kapha dosha is one who is prone to gain weight very easily and will generally move slowly. Kapha dosha people will typically need yoga poses that will increase their air and fire elements and stimulate their metabolism. Some of the recommended yoga poses for kapha dosha include:
- Surya Namaha practiced along with the Khatu pranam which is known to increase their energy levels.
- Energizing backbend postures
- Agnisara Kriya which tends to increase the digestive fire by washing away any impurities.
- Meditation
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