The Wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga

Ayurveda is the oldest healing science in the world. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means Science of Life, or Science of Longevity. Long ago, enlightened beings called Rishis came to realize that everything which exists in nature as ether, air, fire, water, & earth also exists inside of us. From these five great elements were born three doshas, Vata (ether & air), Pitta (fire & water), and Kapha (water & earth).

Existing in these doshas of the body are gunas or qualities such as hot, cold, subtle, heavy, etc. A person with a Kapha body, cool in nature may benefit from heating vigorous yoga, but for a Pitta person, practicing the same yoga could be harmful. Pitta is hot in nature due to its various oily, hot qualities. Its function is transformation, through digestion, absorption, & assimilation. Heating yoga postures & long headstands could increase heat to the head, thereby increasing Pitta, causing an imbalance. Cooling postures, like forward bends would benefit a Pitta person whereby heating & vigorous postures would benefit a Kapha person.

Vata holds the subtle qualities of ether (space) and air. The mind is frequently moving like the wind and tends towards nervous conditions. Slow, steady restorative yoga with pranayama is grounding and beneficial for calming a busy Vata mind, therefore bringing all doshas back into balance. Due to the increasing winds here on the Islands, Vata is constantly being challenged. By regulating our breath through mindful awareness, the mind brings all its gunas back into balance.

Through this attention of breath, we are surrounded by a beautiful gift of life which nourishes us, thus bringing us back into alignment with the entire universe and her gifts.

Margo is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner since 1987 under Dr. V. Lad and also Dr. S. Joshi, in Nagpur India. Margo has a private practice in Haiku where she offers authentic Ayurvedic sessions and 7 Day cleanses. She is teaching at Paia Yoga. For information view Margo’s Bio or call 808-250-7161.