Posted on May 16th, 2011

It seems that Yoga has become a household term and people of all ages, religions and demographics are enjoying the benefits of this ancient science. However, you mention Ayurveda and the response is still scrunched up faces and scratching of heads. How did these two sister sciences get separated? Like Siamese twins torn apart at birth Ayurveda is not the pretty child-it involves obscure treatments, sometimes disgusting tasting herbs, what appears to be restrictions and various Pancka Karma treatments that are unappealing to the Western palate. 

Yet, these two beautiful ancient wisdoms, Yoga & Ayurveda cannot be separated. The farther we travel along the path of Yoga asanas (postures) we inevitably stumble upon the gem of Ayurveda. Ayurveda being the ‘Science of Life’ enhances not only our yoga practice but also informs the approach we take in yoga and in our life (these are one and the same). Time and time again many students come into my yoga classes stressed out, over worked and over ambitious. This way of being translates directly from their lives onto the yoga mat, where they set high standards, compete with themself to achieve and succeed in yoga.

So what has changed? How are we learning and growing and not just reinforcing habitual ways of being? Once we have an understanding of the 3 doshas or constitutions in Ayurveda and how the 5 elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether exist in all matter, including the individual we begin to notice the physical, psychological and sensory impressions being influenced by these elements. The 5 elements combine into three basic energies, vata (air and ether), pitta (fire and a little water) and kapha (earth and water) and determine how the individual finds balance, or goes out of balance.

Our yoga practice can be one that brings us great peace, relaxation and joy or if we are choosing the incorrect practices for our constitution, the season, the stage of life that we are in, the time of day or the climate, we may be taking our selves further away from the balance in which we seek. For example, a 30 something ambitious entrepreneur with a dominant pitta constitution taking a hot and extremely dynamic yoga class in the middle of summer in Vancouver at noon time may wonder why they leave the class feeling irritable, short of temper and craving salty and spicy foods… and we disguise the practice as yoga ignoring the very essence of this glorious art form-to yoke or be in union with the Divine within and without. Learning, understanding and (the key), applying the principles of Ayurveda into our yoga practice and our life may look like the opposite of what our habitual patterns are. For those who are always pushing and competing, a gentle cooling and relaxing class will bring balance. For those who are on the lethargic side a more dynamic practice will be most effective in returning to perfect health.

So we need to go deeper than thinking that all yoga is ‘good’ for us. Yoga was not traditionally taught in the classroom setting, it was orally transmitted from teacher to student, so that the teacher could individualize the practice for that particular students physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspirations and needs. In the same way we must be our own best teacher and choose wisely the yoga that will enhance the qualities in which we aim to enrich and not distract us from our journey of wellbeing.

About Madhuri:

Madhuri Phillips is a certified Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (CAS), Pancha Karma Specialist (PKS), and Ayurvedic Body Therapist receiving certification from the California College of Ayurveda as well as having done advanced study with world renowned, Dr. Vasant Lad. Madhuri has been a head faculty member of the Langara College Yoga Teacher Training Program since its inception in 2008 and is currently the co-organizer of the Vancouver Ayurveda Meet-Up Group. She is a registered Senior Yoga Teacher with YogaBC and an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with Yoga Alliance. Madhuri has shared her knowledge and wisdom with students across Canada, in England and in India for more than a decade.  www.madhuriayurvedayoga.com

Tags: Yoga, Balance, vata, pitta, ayuveda, natural healing, doshas, kapha

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