Yoga and Ayurveda have been combined throughout the ages. The eight limbs of yoga promote the Ayurveda way of living. This is part of the reason yoga teachers traditionally have a dancer’s body. Ayurveda can offer you a strong body but the benefits go so much deeper than that.
You will experience less stress as you offer the body food that helps to give you a balanced state of mind. You eat foods that are in season which means you’re getting the freshest produce available. It is a vegan diet which helps the mind to stay more pleasant. Science has uncovered that eating certain meat can actually make you feel angry.
Ancient Holistic Science for Focusing on the Middle Ground:
Ayurveda is based on holistic Science and is an ancient way of being. For centuries, it has been incorporated into Eastern lives and now in modern history, to the West. The focus of this holistic Science is to see your life between the emotional and physical self. When you do this, you create wholeness in your psyche and soul self.
The belief is that the food we consume will partially dictate our feelings. This has been proven to be true through scientific research in modern time. The Sattvic diet is a noteworthy aspect of Ayurveda. It fuels the body and gives clarity to the mind. The food within the Sattvic diet calms the mind and the nervous system. Rajasic foods alternatively will incorporate meat which can cause heaviness in the body and a restless mind. If you are looking to create better balance in your life, Sattvic can help.
The vegetarian nature of the Sattvic diet creates lightness in the body. This makes it easier to do yoga poses at any given time of day. You receive all the nutrients you need without feeling weighed down. You will likely experience an elevation of energy and have clearer thinking.
Exercise in Ayurveda:
If you feel tired when you work out or do yoga, you may want to shift your attention to an Ayurveda- lead diet. This might also be an idea if you’re having a problem sleeping and are unable to let the monkey mind go.
Exercise has long been used within the Ayurvedic model. Exercise helps us to get rid of any heaviness felt in the body. We get rid of stiffness in the body also. When you elevate your heart rate, you burn what is known as ama which are impurities in the digestive system. When you get rid of these impurities, you will have more energy and feel happier. Exercise pacifies the three doshas which create the all-around balance you’re trying to achieve.
Ayurvedic Principles:
- Ama is the toxins in the body. Ayurveda aims to reduce ama.
- Agni is your digestion. Ayurveda helps to balance and strengthen the digestive system.
- Reducing stress levels.
When you have peace in the body through diet, you are able to manage your life much more easily. Stress doesn’t build up as much and you have an increase in energy and mental clarity. According to Ayurveda, there are three different body types. Each of these types should eat foods that are based on seasonal fruits and vegetables. There should also be oil, nuts, herbs, sprouted whole grains, and legumes incorporated into the diet for overall health.
The Three Ayurveda Doshas:
There are three different body types according to Ayurveda. They are also known as doshas. Knowing what your dosha is will help you to figure out what kind of exercise your body needs and how much it needs. Ayurveda has a lot of advantages but it’s important to utilize the information so you can work out and eat best based on your dosha.
Kapha Dosha:
Someone who is a Kapha will often have broad shoulders with thick, curly hair. They have good physical stamina so they tend to be the ones who will run for miles or work out for long periods of time.
It’s important that the Kapha body type stays active consistently. This keeps them in emotional balance, otherwise, they become restless which leads to agitation.
A Kapha should stay away from oil/fats, sweets or salt because their digestion is quite slow. Foods that promote health for a Kaph are spices to get the digestive fires moving, a lot of vegetables and high fiber foods.
Pitta Dosha:
Someone with a Pitta dosha will have good muscle tone, high energy levels, and a healthy digestive system. They can eat almost anything without experiencing indigestion. They can choose whatever kind of workout they want. Whether it’s a warrior challenge or relaxing yoga, they have the gift of versatility.
The Pitta can tend to be a workaholic which causes them to become irritated. This can cause them to get acid reflux or ulcers. As this isn’t common for them, this should serve as a message it’s to slow down.
It can also help to drink Aloe Vera juice along with pomegranate juice on an empty stomach. Essentially this sour mixture with Aloe will calm the digestive system.
When the body and mind aren’t tended to properly, they will end up with poor digestion. This can cause bloating and constipation. They can also experience higher levels of insomnia and fatigue.
Vata should eat their meals at the same time daily. This will help with poor digestion and aid in insomnia issues. Warm, spiced milk can be helpful before going to bed. Vata should avoid crunchy, dry foods like cereal and raw vegetables. Their bodies respond better to warm soups, oatmeal, warm drinks, and cooked vegetables. Ghee is helpful for those who are Vata type.
If you often feel exhausted and the body is full of tension, give the Sattvic diet a try. It will take some time to influence your mind and body so give it at least two weeks to explore the benefits. Toxins will start to leave your body. The new nutrients you offer yourself will help to give you benefits that will be obvious in your day-to-day life. More clarity, the ability to make better decisions, less illness, and more energy are a few of the things you can expect.
