Optimizing energy and vitality as we come back from holidays can feel difficult as we try to restart the new year. But with an Ayurvedic and yogic approach to well-being, you can keep your body and mind stable and optimal in the coming months. Beyond nutrition, an Ayurvedic approach to well-being emphasizes the interconnectedness of the whole self – body, mind, and spirit. Through regular yoga practice, lifestyle shifts, and diet, taking into account some basic Ayurvedic principles and practices can create a harmonious internal balance enhancing overall energy levels and states of being.
The basics of Ayurveda are categorized into three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each of which represents a unique combination of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether). Our unique constitution is essential in determining a unique diet for optimal energy. For Vata individuals who are generally colder and more mentally scattered in nature benefit from warm, grounding foods like soups, stews, and root vegetables. Pitta individuals, dominated by the fire and water elements, will find a greater sense of harmony in their energy from cooling foods such as cucumbers, leafy greens, and sweet fruits. Kapha-dominant (earth and water) individuals benefit from light, warm, and spicy foods to counter their disposition to heaviness and stagnancy.
Beyond what you eat, how you eat impacts energy levels and vitality. An Ayurvedic approach to eating is beneficial for all individuals regardless of dosha. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of eating mindfully. Sitting down to eat in a calm environment and avoiding the distractions of a screen while savoring each mouthful and chewing slowly are great ways to enact Ayurvedic principles at mealtime. This will not only help you enjoy your food more but aids digestion and therefore promotes optimal energy extraction from the food you consume. Ayurveda also acknowledges the influence of seasons on our well-being and suggests adjusting your diet following seasonal changes. This includes eating local, in-season produce to align your digestion with nature’s rhythms. If you choose to take a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Bali, this means fresh tropical produce year-round due to Bali’s continual vibrant tropical climate.
Tailoring your yoga practice to complement your dosha is incredibly beneficial to health and wellbeing. Vata-dominant individuals will likely benefit from gentle, grounding yoga postures such as Balasana (child’s pose). Yin yoga is a great way for Vata people to hone in on the need for calming and grounding to establish internal balance. Pitta individuals will likely benefit from grounding cooling postures such as forward folds that cultivate a sense of Apana Vayu to balance their fiery nature. Kapha types in contrast are likely to benefit more greatly from invigorating and dynamic styles of yoga.
The philosophy of Inner Yoga Training is to help students find balance in their lives. One of the highlights of their 200-hour yoga teacher training in Bali is they offer both vinyasa and yin yoga in one training so you can start to understand how your yoga practices can support you at different times. This, along with learning about Ayurveda and finding your unique dosha during the yoga training will help support your lifestyle.
.
Whether through diet, lifestyle, or yoga practice, optimal vitality and energy are attainable through even the most chaotic chapters of life by adopting daily Ayurvedic principles. Adapting not only what you eat, but how you eat alongside using your yoga practice to align with your dosha are key ways to optimize your well-being. By understanding your dosha and aligning your diet and lifestyle accordingly, the potential for a vibrant, energetic life is at your fingertips.