Yoga & Ayurveda for Self-Healing

Common Dosha Challenges

Vata (Air + Space):
Insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, digestive irregularities, dry skin, cold sensitivity

Pitta (Fire + Water):
Irritability, inflammation, acid reflux, overheating, skin rashes, anger

Kapha (Earth + Water):
Lethargy, weight gain, fluid retention, sluggish digestion, low motivation

Vata Dosha Yoga Practice

Vata benefits from a slow, grounding, and nourishing practice. Gentle movements performed in a warm, quiet environment help stabilize both body and mind.

Recommended Practices

• Asanas: Mountain Pose, Warrior Pose, Tree Pose, Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend
• Restorative/Yin: Reclining Bound Angle Pose, Child’s Pose, Savasana
• Breathing & Meditation: Alternate nostril breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, calming meditation
• Mantra: Om–Ah–Hung (10 minutes) for mental clarity

Benefits:
Reduces anxiety and nervousness, improves sleep, and enhances grounding and stability.

Practices at a moderate pace and effort in a cool, well-ventilated space to promote relaxation and restore equilibrium.
Avoid intense practices and opt for a balanced approach that includes active and calming postures. Incorporate moon salutations to balance the fiery nature of the Pitta dosha. Focus on slow, relaxed movements, emphasizing lunar qualities.

Twisting poses help to release excess heat and tension. Include poses like Half Lord, Bharadvaja’s Twist, Seated Side Bend, and Revolved Side Angle in your practice to promote detoxification and balance. Include gentle back bends like Locust, Cobra, and Bridge Pose.

Practice cooling  Pranayama like Sheetali and Sheetkari pranayama, to help cool the body and calm the mind. Engage in meditation practices that promote relaxation and inner peace. Visualize cool, serene landscapes, like a calming ocean or a cool forest, to pacify the heat of Pitta dosha. So Hum (Silent Breath Meditation) has a calming and soothing effect on heated emotions. As you breathe in, mentally chant “So”. As you breathe out, mentally chant “Hum.”

Focuses on energizing, invigorating practices to stimulate the body. Choose dynamic yoga styles that involve flowing sequences, such as Vinyasa to counteract stagnation. Incorporate sun salutations to generate heat and build energy. Focus on fluid movements, synchronized with breath, to increase circulation.

Practice active standing poses, including Warrior II, Triangle Pose, and Extended Side Angle Pose, to build endurance and create a sense of lightness. Back-bending poses open the chest, expand the lungs, and uplift the energy. Camel Pose, Upward-Facing Dog Pose, and Bridge Pose are particularly beneficial. Incorporate core-strengthening poses like boat pose, plank, and twists to build internal heat and stimulate the digestive fire. 

Utilize energizing and heating Pranayama techniques to awaken the senses and increase the digestive fire. Kapalabhati and Ujjayi pranayama generate warmth and stimulate the metabolism.
Walking meditation helps Kapha to stay in the flow. Visualizations such as being bathed in golden light are energizing.