Ayurvedic Yoga for a Vibrant Life

Vata dosha is a combination of the space and air elements. It is responsible for movement within the body. Its qualities, or gunas, are cold, dry, light, mobile, subtle, clear, and rough. People with a predominantly vata constitution will likely recognize these gunas in their body and mind. Those individuals are often lean, with dry skin, curly/kinky hair, cold hands and feet, and variable digestion tending toward bloating, discomfort, and constipation. Their sleep is typically light, and their lifestyle routines tend to be irregular. They move and talk quickly, and they are active, alert, restless,...

Calm anxious energy stemming from vata imbalance and restore your ojas (vital life force) through slow, steady movements that focus on grounding through the legs. This class begins with strongly rooted standing postures and concludes on the floor, leaving you feeling settled and balanced. Props: block, strap, blanket

Ground flighty energy by clarifying your connection to the earth. Begin with gentle flowing movements to circulate energy through the body, then anchor it into the earth with grounding hip openers.

Ground and stabilize yourself with this short practice designed to calm and balance vata dosha, the wind element.

Pacify your vata and relax your nervous system with this sun salutation practice.

Pitta dosha is a combination of the water and fire elements. It is responsible for transformation within the body (think “metabolism”). Its qualities, or gunas, are hot, oily, liquid, sharp, light, and spreading. People with a predominance of this dosha tend to have a medium build, warm body, oily skin, penetrating ideas, sharp intelligence, and hair that is straight, thin, and shiny with a tendency to gray prematurely. They often sweat easily and have warm hands and feet. Symptoms of excessive pitta dosha may include irritability, anger, aggression, inflammation, and redness. Yoga for Pittas A...

A soothing practice designed to cool your inner fire and balance pitta dosha. You'll flow through a fluid sequence featuring hip circles, hamstring stretches, and shoulder openers, embracing the watery aspects of your being. If you're feeling a little agitated or impatient, this is the perfect class for you! Props: none

Get cool, calm, and collected with this pitta-pacifying sequence that focuses on lateral movement and grounding poses.

According to ayurveda, too much digestive fire (agni) can lead to problems such as GERD, gastric reflux, and stomach ulcers. In this pitta-pacifying practice, you’ll release excessive heat through dynamic movements that open the sides of the body and specific breathing techniques. Have a bolster (or a couch cushion) available.

Create space in your sides and front body with this strong cooling practice. In Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, pitta is a quality that embodies the elements fire and water. Pitta is often known for creating mental intensity and physical heat. Use this sun salutation in your practice to pacify pitta and create space. Props: none

Kapha dosha is a combination of the water and earth elements. According to ayurveda, it is responsible for the lubrication of the body. Its gunas (qualities) are heavy, slow/dull, cold, oily, liquid, smooth, dense, soft, static, sticky, cloudy, and gross (the opposite of subtle). People with predominantly kapha dosha typically are strong, have a larger build, and great stamina and endurance. Their skin is often cold, clammy, and oily, and they tend to have light skin and big eyes. Kaphas gain weight easily and are able to sleep deeply for a long time. They are also known to be compassionate, calm,...

Stimulate and fire up your kapha with this active morning practice. Props: block, blanket (optional)

Cleanse and balance your energy pathways with this ayurvedic version of alternate nostril breathing! It is similar to the yogic version, but is less inward-focused and a bit more vigorous. Props: none

Is your body a little cranky and stiff this afternoon? Join in for this ayurvedic practice that’s designed to stimulate your joints and warm the body without overheating it. You’ll do breath of joy, side planks, standing poses such as warrior II and lunges, bridge pose, and more. Enjoy the practice and see how you feel after! Props: blocks, blanket, chair

Incorporate this sun salutation into your yoga practice to pacify kapha and warm the body. Props: none

This Ayurvedic recipe offers balance for all the doshas. Try this delicious dish when you'd like to increase the qualities of sattva and reduce the qualities of rajas and tamas. Instructions Roast the creamed wheat or other grain in a dry pan until slightly brown and set aside. In a medium saucepan, sautée the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing, curry leaves, and cashews in the ghee until the seeds pop. Add the water, turmeric, coriander powder, coconut, ginger, vegetables, and salt. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender. Turn off the heat and gradually add the roasted creamed wheat. At the...

This aromatic herbal tea recipe will increase the quality of sattva and reduce the qualities of rajas and tamas. Instructions Grind the cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle. Bring the water to boiling point. Add all of the spices to the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover. Allow tea to steep 5–10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey. Drink throughout the day. Serves 4. Ingredients 3⁄4 tsp. cumin seeds 3⁄4 tsp. coriander seeds 3⁄4 tsp. fennel seeds 1 tsp. fresh ginger root, grated 1 tsp. peppermint leaves, fresh or dried 1 tsp. rose petals, fresh or dried 1⁄4 tsp....

If you’d like to add a sweet, ojas-building food to your recipe box, try these Almond Date Ojas Balls inspired by an Ojas Ladoos recipe from the website vedicook.wordpress.com. Notice the similarity in the qualities of the ingredients to the qualities of ojas (heavy, sweet, unctuous, sticky). As stated in the vedicook recipe, "Ayurveda warns against combining equal proportions of ghee and honey by WEIGHT, however equal proportions by VOLUME is recommended for building ojas." Ingredients 1 cup raw almonds ½ teaspoon powdered ginger ½ teaspoon ground cardamom Pinch of Himalayan pink salt 7 or 8 medjool...

This go-to greens recipe is neutral for vata and slightly increases pitta and kapha (because of the generous amount of oil). It is especially tasty if you use arugula. Ingredients 1 very large bunch of kale, arugula, or other dark, leafy greens 2 small cloves of garlic, minced 3 tablespoons ghee or olive oil 1⁄2–1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon turmeric 1⁄8 teaspoon hing or epazote Salt to taste Directions Wash and chop the greens crosswise in 1-inch strips. Warm the oil or ghee in a large skillet; add the garlic and cumin. When the garlic is just a little crispy, stir in the turmeric and hing....

This traditional Ayurvedic dish is made from mung beans and rice and is known for its ease of digestion and balancing qualities, making it ideal for cleansing and healing in Ayurvedic practices. Directions: Preparation time: 45 minutes to one hour. Good for all seasons. Sattvic; calming to all doshas. Wash well: 1 cup white basmati rice 1⁄2 cup split mung beans or sprouted whole mung Wash well and chop: 2–3 cups of your favorite vegetables Warm in a medium saucepan: 1 Tbsp. ghee Add, stirring until aromatic: 1 bay leaf 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger root, grated pinch of asafoetida (hing) or epazote 1⁄2...