Yoga and Ayurveda

 

Yoga  and Ayurveda                                                Yoga  and Ayurveda Since ages Ayurveda and Yoga have been treated as one complete entity for healing purposes related to mind,body and conciousness. Though Ayurveda is related to treating the body  where as Yoga deals  with purifying  mind and conciousness hence they are complementary to each other . If health is ignored then it becomes a barrier towards spiritual practice so good health is essential towards self realization.They both are based on same foundation as a lot many similarities can be found in the systems that are related to, diet, nutrition, attitude , exercise, cleansing and hygiene along with spiritual practices. Ayurveda can help modern yoga practitioners to set up a heathy daily routine and regulate their practice according to the dosha, imbalance, constitution to prevent  and promote longevity. The common similarities are: ·        Both have originated from ancient Vedic teachings. Yoga originated from Yajur Veda where as Ayurveda originated from Atharva veda and Rig veda. ·        Both are familiar with healthy body is essential for the fulfillment  of the four aims in life: Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha(liberation. ·        Both give a lot of importance to the balance of doshas (humors), dhatus (tissues) and Malas(waste products)  for leading good life. ·         Both support the usage of herbs, asanas, pranayama, meditation, prayer and rituals for healing purposes. ·        In both systems, Physical health is necessary for mental, spiritual and social well being.. ·        Both use cleansing methods for the detoxification of the body through natural routes of elimination. For this purpose Ayurveda uses Panchkarma and Yoga uses Shatkarma   General recommendations   of asanas for prominent Doshas: Persons suffering from Vata: They should concentrate on exercises for calming grounding, stillness, strengthening, and balancing asanas. Precautions: ·        Efforts should be made to make asanas  more vata pacifying by  avoiding quick  movements between asanas. ·        Back bends should be done slowly  and carefully without exceeding the limits. Persons suffering from pitta: They should focus on calm cool and relaxed positions while doing asanas. It is advisable to practice asanas at cooler time of the day  and should pay attention to positions that help release  additional heat from the body. Persons suffering from Kapha: They should practice asanas  that makes them feel energetic, warming, lightening, and stimulating. These asanas are good for kapha  as it induces sweating and gets the heart pumping.    Meditation Meditation  is interaction of mind with the subtle body  which inturn interacts with the physical body. It is a state where your thoughts disappear and your mind becomes calm and quiet.It is a universal  experimental discipline  by humans to gain perfection of the mind  and the body. Meditation is neither withdrawal nor  seclusion but it is total  awareness of the surroundings and things going with in. A healthy mind can reside only in a heathy body  so any kind of malfunction in the body can be hindrance to the path.So healing is an important aspect of meditation as assistance of the healing power of the mind is required effectively remove the obstacles  in the form of diseases. The  additional benefits provided by Meditation are numerous . It helps to reduce blood pressure  and stress levels.It also gives you an opportunity to live happy and contented life and gives you the strength to face difficulties and setbacks in life. Alpha  brainwaves  are enhanced by meditation. These brainwaves are used in problem solving and in creativity. This will provide you many benefits in profeesional as well as personal life. How to meditate Though meditation cannot be explained it is an experience that can only be felt. The steps given below are for beginners who wish to learn meditation Place yourself in a comfortable posture. The hands should be kept loose and open with palms up , one on top of the other and lightly touching thumbs. Avoid slouching or drooping position as head should be placed in an upright  manner. Eyes may be open or closed . If they are open then focus them on your hands or a nearby spot. Beginning meditators should count upwards to ten on each exhale. Breathe in a relaxed and natural way. Then begin again at one and repeat.  Continue to breathe normally. Continue to breathe in this manner for 15 minutes. So the benefits of meditation are immense .They include more energy and vitality, better quality of sleep, lessened chronological aging,reduced stress level  increased alertness and heightened immunity.