Ayurveda & Yoga The branches of Vedic Sciences are: Ayurveda, Yoga, Sanskrit, & Vedic Astrology. Ayur = life/living Veda=knowledge/science Ayurveda, the Science of life, is often called “the Mother of All Healing” and is recognized by the World Health Organization as the worlds oldest continually practiced form of medicine in human history. The teachings were passed down orally until 300 BCE when they were written down into two main texts, Caraka Samhita & Sushruta Samhita. “Ayurveda emphasizes preventative and healing therapies along with various methods of purification and rejevenation. Ayurveda is more than a mere healing system, it is a science and an art of appropriate living that helps to achieve longevity. It can guide evey individual in the proper choice of diet, living habits and exercise to restore balance in the body, mind and consciousness, thus preventing disease from gaining a foothold in the system.” ~ Dr. Vasant Lad, The Ayurvedic Institute The three principles of energy in Ayurveda are Vata (air/space), Pitta (fire/water) & Kapha (earth/water). Vata is the energy of movement, Pitta is the energy of transformation, Kapha is the energy of lubrication and form. We all express qualities from each dosha, generally with a primary, secondary and less prominent dosha. According to Ayurveda, disease is caused by imbalance, which can be caused by excess or deficiency or toxins. Toxins are called “ama”, and according to Ayurveda, ama is the cause of all disease. Vata, composed of Air/Ether governs breathing, blinking, heart-beat, all movements through cellular membrane. In balance Vata creates creativity and flexibility. Imbalanced Vata creates fear, nervousness & anxiety. Vata is balanced by stability, routine, structure, warm cooked food, sour and salty tastes. Pitta composed of Fire/Water governs digestion, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, temperature, and abosrbtion. In balance pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Imbalanced Pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy. Pitta is balanced by all things cool, a vegetarian diet, sweet, cooling and bitter foods, less oil, spice, and salt. Kapha composed of Earth/Water governs the bodies form - muscles, bones, fascia, & organs. Kapha supplies water throughout the body, lubricates joints, moisturizes skin and maintains immunity. Balanced Kapha promotes love, forgivness and calm. Imbalanced Kapha creates lethargy, attachment, greed and envy. Kapha is balanced with intense exercise, and bitter, astringent or pungent tastes. A basic Ayurvedic Principle is: Like increases like; Opposites pacify. Tri-Doshic Yoga Postures, Yoga to balance all constitutions: • Surya Namaskar • Cat/Cow • Tadasana • Prasarita Padottanasana • Padahastasana • Padahastasana • Setu Bandhasana • Halasana • Baddha Konasana • Bharadvajrasana • Jathara Parivartanasana • Matsayasana • Balasana • Savasana A healthy tri-doshic balancing daily schedule might look like this: 6 - 10 a.m. Best time to exercise for all 3 body types. Try to rise before sunrise. Cleanse. Meditate. Yoga. Light breakfast. 10a.m. - 2p.m. Eat the largest meal of the day around noon, when metabolism is strong. 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Mental activity is at its highest, muscular strength is reduced. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Light dinner before 8pm. 2nd best time to exercise is between 6 & 7pm. 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Try to be asleep by 10pm. Internal digestion kicks in. No midnight snacks. 2 a.m. – 6 a.m. Deep sleep! The ideal time to wake up is before sunrise. All contents, copyright 2010, Michelle Myhre http://yogawithmichelle.blogspot.com/ .