As the body is made up of 70-90% water, I find it not only liberating, but healing to incorporate a lot of flow movement in our Yoga practice. Moving our bodies in concert with our breath, our heartbeat, the internal rhythm of our spirit brings us to a closer awareness of who we are and where we are headed...
Currently I'm running a series of classes that bring awareness to the different chakras (energy fields) in our bodies. Through specific postures, breathing, imagery and meditation, our goal is to bring balance to entire chakra system.
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Other future classes will also include Yoga for specific body types, practices to alleviate stress & anxiety, Beginner Flow, "Agni Yoga (Fire Yoga), Senior Yoga and more. Check back often to review our class schedule.
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Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which literally means "Science of Life." This holistic approach to health and longevity originated over 5000 years ago and its doctrines are becoming ever more sought out by those of us in the Western hemisphere.
The guiding principle of Ayurveda is that the mind exerts the deepest influence on the body and freedom from sickness depends upon contacting our own awareness - through practices such as Yoga and meditation - to bring it into balance. This will create a higher state of health.
Yoga and Ayurveda are considered to be sister sciences. Having origins in India and sharing the common goal of achieving union with the Self, they are mutually supportive in healing methods, and the cleansing and rejuvenation of the body.
We look to incorporate concepts and asanas (postures) that correlate with the science of Ayurveda linking the universal elements of earth, fire, air, water and space to individual body types or “doshas.”
While a well-rounded Yoga practice – i.e. Tridoshic – will serve any body type, there are certain areas that we can bring awareness to, preventing imbalances.
Vata: (air and ether) – Focuing on calming, grounding and stillness, Vata types benefit from slower transitions in vinyasas (flow yoga), holding poses for extended periods and backbends as they produce heat counteracting the Vata tendency toward being cold.
Pitta: (fire and water) Yoga is best practiced at cooler times of day with poses that include chest openers and forward bends, freedom of movement encouraging acceptance and compassion – alleviating a tendency towards a too competitive nature.
Kapha: (water and earth) As they tend to be more sedentary, the Kapha type benefit from flow style Yoga that is dynamic and stimulating, producing warmth and lightness. Twists are beneficial as they stimulate digestion.
As we learn about the different body types, we will focus on the idea of balance: each dosha has special needs that are not only inborn, but also affected by the season, time of day, eating habits and more.
For additional information on determining your "dosha", Ayurvedic consultations and more, contact the Ayurvedic Health Center in Bellingham.
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