How to Exercise Optimally According to Ayurveda
Why do you exercise?
I used to exercise because I thought I was fat. I used to exercise as punishment for eating food. And then I would go to the gym and get even more depressed as I compared myself to all the “skinny girls” that still somehow looked put together while working out. Needless to say... exercise wasn’t doing me any favors. While judgments and comparisons still once in a while waft into my mind, I built a brand new relationship with my health through the sister sciences, Yoga and Ayurveda. I’m not going to lie, yoga studios were the worst for me for quite some time. I preferred to practice at home until I really embraced yoga for more than just its physical practice. Through Yoga & Ayurveda, I learned to embrace my beautiful body and the shape it needs to be to stay healthy. I started to exercise again because it felt good. I stopped worrying about the outcome (my looks) and did it because I knew I’d sleep better, the chatter in my mind would quiet, and I knew my heart needed the love (I have a physical heart disfunction). I don’t do exercises I don’t want to do. I actually like the elliptical because it’s an excuse to listen to a podcast. I like hiking, swimming, playing tennis, yoga, walking the pup. I don’t push or force myself. I do what needs to be done so my body and mind feel good.
Do you struggle with exercise?
Did you know that, according to Ayurveda, we all have our own unique body type and the type of exercise each body type (dosha) needs for optimal health is different?
We all know that movement is important, but what kind of movement that is going to benefit our body will vary.
Ayurveda believes that exercise should make the body feel light and can help a person feel more excited and passionate about the day and the day’s tasks ahead. This means we should be engaging in activities that bring us joy and make us feel good, mentally and physically. This also means, what we need in terms of exercise can vary from one day to the next. We need to be mindful and honest with ourselves.
Ayurveda believes exercise should include some physical strain, but without creating fatigue. Ideally we want to break a gentle sweat, as Ayurveda considers sweat to be the waste product of fat tissue, so the idea is that when you sweat, excess fat gets metabolized and is excreted from the body in the form of sweat. Sweat is also another way to remove ama or toxins from the body.
Regular exercise also aids in efficient digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and boosts our metabolism. Lastly, and most importantly, exercise, when done correctly and mindfully, allows the doshas to work in their physiological states in a way that promotes overall balance.
Exercise Tips to Balance Each Dosha
VATA
Movement should be slow, controlled, strong, warm, and grounding.
Keep a regular exercise schedule, both in time of day and times per week.
Thorough warm-ups and maintenance of body temperature throughout practice.
A deep, slow, fluid rhythmic breath will help to improve circulation.
Efforts should be towards maintaining a physical and mental sense of stability and security.
Avoid overworking muscles, to avoid the creation of nervous tension.
PITTA
Movement should be done without strain, stress, or the cultivation of too much heat.
Practice reducing aggression and increasing refinement and surrender.
Bring the focus to subtle processes, such as breathing and effortlessness.
Guide will power towards qualities of non-doing, self-reflection, and the act of surrendering.
With every exhale, emphasize relaxation and release of excess heat.
Practices that encourage intuitive reflection should be encouraged.
Avoid overheating.
KAPHA
Movement should be energizing, strong, and warm, creating sweat with sustained effort.
Kapha types must be awakened at all levels and not just in relation to the physical body but also awakening their senses, imagination, emotions, and subtle spiritual realms related to fire, air and space.
Aim to release excess Kapha in the upper spine by stimulating the lungs and improving respiratory function. Strong and quick respiration improves circulation and helps increase heat, promoting sweat (cardio).