Asana, pranayama, and meditation are all part of the holistic yoga practise that promotes both physical and mental health. The foundation of one of the first natural medicine and healing systems, known as Ayurveda, is the recognition of each person's unique personality types and dominating natural forces (doshas). (Whether vata (air and space), pitta (fire and water), or kapha (water and earth).
Both are sister disciplines that enhance one another's advantages, and Ayurveda in particular can help you tailor your yoga practise to your individual requirements, health issues, and environment.
Here are a few ways to incorporate Ayurveda to supercharge your yoga practice:
Panchkarma.
This form of Ayurvedic detox consists of five cleansing techniques, such as enema and purgatives. This is a fantastic approach to balance the entire body and system, bringing vitality to the body and mind. These treatments successfully correct dosha imbalances and provide us with a solid base upon which to start our yoga practises.
Diet.
For yogis, Ayurveda suggests a sattvic diet that includes fruits, fasting, minimally processed foods, raw foods, and whole grains. It is cooling by nature and helps balance the rise in digestive fire (Agni), which is beneficial for those who perform highly intensive yoga. A healthy vegetarian diet that includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, sweet spices, herbal teas, natural sugars, etc. might be beneficial for those who practise yoga in moderation.
Asanas.
Ayurveda proposes a combination of postures that are appropriate for your unique prakriti, just as it advises a certain diet for each dosha. For example, single-leg balances are excellent for vata because they ground the air element. Pitta benefits from side bends since they cool and calm the fire element, and the kapha dosha, which struggles with inertia, is advised to practise dynamic flows like the surya namaskara. Asanas then become beneficial for both our spiritual development and bodily wellness.
Massage.
An essential component of Ayurvedic therapy is massage. Regular oil massages can aid in reducing body tightness, which enables one to enter into yoga postures more comfortably. For yogis in particular, massage using herbs cooked in sesame oil is advised as it helps to ease stiffness in the muscles and joints.
Herbs and incense.
Herbs have long been used by yogis to improve their yoga experiences, both as nutrition and aromatic perfumes. Ashwagandha is excellent for kapha and aids in boosting general energy levels. Both turmeric and guggul, which are beneficial for vata, are said to promote flexibility and avoid arthritis. Brahmi is good for pitta and can assist increase awareness and mental clarity.