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Ayurveda

Treatments: Yoga

Ayurvedic yoga is the application of Ayurvedic principles to the practice of yoga. It teaches how to keep the physical body healthy, and how this health relates to our spiritual journey. Both yoga and Ayurveda originated from the four Vedas4 ancient Hindu scriptures documented in archaic Sanskrit.

Ayurvedic practitioners will recommend a personalized yoga regimen based on the constitution of your doshas, and which will often include pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. The doshas influence the body's functioning, emotional and psychological reactions. Since yoga also affects constitution, balancing the whole system, mind and body, various styles and poses of yoga benefit particular doshas. The practitioner will ensure that the correct poses are chosen and techniques are learned to help prevent injuries and further imbalances of the doshas.

Yoga poses are often classified according to the dosha they stimulate. Different poses will have different effects on the body, with some generating a calm, centered feeling, while others may generate feelings of agitation or cause aggravation to the body. For example, the kapha dosha is regulated by the chest and stomach, therefore poses which stimulate this area will also stimulate the kapha dosha.

Ayurvedic practitioners may also recommend changes to a yogic practice according to the season, which helps the doshas to energetically and biologically adjust to the changes of each season.

Yoga

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj” meaning "union" or "to merge." It is based on the Indian philosophy of achieving a balance of the mind, body and spirit with the goal of enlightenment.


Hatha Yoga is the branch of Yoga most commonly practiced worldwide today. Hatha yoga is best known as a set of physical poses which include gentle stretches, breathing practices, and progressive deep relaxation. Hatha yoga aims to balance the mind, the body, and the spirit through the pratice of these poses and to engender a meditative perspective on life. In the western world, it is used by many as part of a fitness regiment to promote flexibility and strength, and has led to the popularization of other yoga styles which are more aerobic in nature.

Various styles of yoga have emerged, with the emphasis of each style varying. Some place emphasis on the strict alignment of the body while others focus on the coordination of breath and movement. Some are physically challenging, while others are meditative and calming. Some are distinguished based on name of the YogiA person who practices various and intensive forms of Yoga and meditation to achieve spiritual insight and tranquility. This designation is usually reserved for advanced practitioners who originated that particular style. Others are named based on the yoga method.

Each yoga pose is referred to as an “asana.” These asanas are often performed in a flowing sequence called a “vinyasa.” Following are the main 12 styles of yoga practice today.

1. Ananda
Ananda yoga was developed by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Ananda is a classical style of yoga which incorporaes the use of the asanas and pranayama to awaken, experience, and begin to control the subtle energies within the body. The goal is to use those energies to harmonize the body, mind, and emotions, and above all to attune oneself with higher levels of awareness. Silent affirmations are used during practice. This is a gentle style of yoga.

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