Restorative Yoga

Ayurveda is a five thousand year old system of medicine in the world originating in India. It is known as a sister practice to yoga. In fact, Ayurveda, the wisdom of life, has recommends specific yoga practices for specific body types.

Ayurvedic medicine believes that each of us has a unique makeup or constitution. Vata dosha is made up of air and ether, pitta dosha water and fire, and kapha dosha water and earth. Their are specific lifestyle recommendations for each dosha.

In this restorative yoga class, I will modify the practice for each dosha.

Restorative yoga is the perfect style for vata dosha, it allows vata dosha to slow down and release the excess energy from anxiety. Staying close to the ground and well-propped in a restorative yoga class is incredibly grounding and helps vata dosha come out of their minds and into their bodies. The long resting holds in the restorative poses create stillness and give vata doshas time to just be and rest.

Vata dosha tends to be most prone to digestive issues and gas particularly during seasonal transitions. Poses the compress and lengthen the large intestine in restorative yoga classes can be particularly pacifying for vata dosha.

Restorative yoga is also the perfect style of yoga for driven and ambitious pitta doshas. The fire in the belly of pitta dosha means that they are organized and determined. Pitta dosha benefit from restorative yoga practices because it allows them to chill out and relax and let go of their ambitions. With restorative yoga, pitta doshas can learn that rest and self care ARE productive. The effort in a restorative yoga class is to let go of tension and to focus on letting go of effort.

Letting go, relaxing, chilling out in a restorative yoga class can help pitta dosha alleviate anger, acne, heartburn, acid reflux, heart attacks and even the risk of strokes.

Restorative yoga is actually probably least effective for kapha dosha. Kapha dosha need practices that are stimulating and which will help them let go of attachments. It is easy for kapha dosha to become stuck physically, mentally and emotionally, so getting moving is important for kapha dosha. Kaphas have wonderful memories, they rarely forget. Kapha yoga practice should be dynamic and flowing. It should focus particularly on opening up their chests where excess mucus can accumulate.

For more support in balancing your doshas, Join us in our membership community this month for our 30 Day Ayurvedic Morning Routine Challenge

https://www.melissawest.com/membership/membership-sign-up/

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