Calms excess Vata and releases stagnant Kapha

Let me guide your December asana practice. It can be challenging to decide how to practice Yoga at home. Although you’re familiar with the poses, determining the optimal sequence and timing may be uncertain. Through the support of Ayurvedic Yoga,  December is the perfect month to focus on Ustrasana as it targets the two Doshas, Vata and Kapha, that we are seeking to balance. 

Ustrasana, also known as the Camel pose, is a powerful backbend that stretches the entire front of the body. It opens up the chest, shoulders, and throat, releasing tension and promoting deep relaxation. The pose also brings healing to the cardiopulmonary, digestive, and nervous system.

Grounding through the femur and pelvis, activating the spine, expands the chest and throat. But as we near the Winter Solstice, the ancient teachings tell us that it’s time to dissolve all these ego-affirming, attaching activities.  Come to the light of the heart and let go of all the attachments.

In addition to its physical benefits, Ustrasana has a profound impact on the energetic body. As we arch back and open our chest, we create space for emotional release and healing that is useful as we near the end of a Solar Cycle. With regular practice, Ustrasana can help us cultivate a sense of inner strength and resilience, transforming not just our physical health, but our overall well-being.

Therefore, as you enter this month of December, let us embrace Ustrasana as a powerful tool for finding balance and nourishing both our body and our spirit. Let us bring awareness to the breath, surrender to the pose, and allow ourselves to be supported by the wisdom of Ayurvedic Yoga. Together, let us embark on this journey of healing and transformation.

How to prepare the body for Ustrasana

Ustrasana requires a flexible spine, stable sacrum, and strong legs. Surrender to ease and grace. 

ANATOMY >>> The focus is to strengthen your back muscles (erector spinae, posterior deltoid, trapezius, rhomboid, latissimus dorsi, hamstrings) while at the same time open through the obliques, diaphragm, pectoralis, anterior deltoid, and psoas) 

TO OPEN AND STRETCH: The best way to learn how to do this for yourself is to mimic the shape and keep deepening moving in the same direction in stages, and progression. 

> In simple Surya Namaskar – you can prepare when you stand and lift your arms over the head and bend back (Urdhva Hastasana), in lunge (Anjaneyasana) extend and open the front of the torso and stretch into your back thigh. In the cobra (Bhujangasana), work on strengthening the spine by lifting without the arms/hands at first to feel the muscles of extension while at the same breath relaxing and expanding toward the heart, ribs, and sternum. 

> ALSO TRY Triangle (Utthita Trikonasana) to build strength in the legs, open the side of the torso, and front of the chest and arms.

TO COUNTER: meaning to go the another direction so the body moves in both directions to maintain balance and equanimity. 

> Forward bending, and flexion of the spine to release any tension or strain from focusing in one direction. (Balasana, Paschimottansana, Pawanmuktasana)

> Stay in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) for 2 to 3 minutes. Stretch the back of the body, and let the neck and head release any excess tension. breathe evenly and enjoy being upside down and stable. Best if feet are together as a variation. 

Keep it simple 

 I often feel Yoga to most seems complicated and difficult to figure out. Which seems silly given that Yoga is the best of simplicity. Oness. Union. 

When you enjoy Yoga Asana as a practice, the goal is still the same. The method is Asana. It’s not about how long and how many but rather how present, and how unified you feel. Enjoy exploring Ustrasana as a bodily shape for inner peace.

When we can comfortably be in Ustrasana as a mudra for 1-3 minutes we are helping our ego-dissolving journey. Let’s enjoy asana as it was offered by the Himalayan masters – for self-healing, not self-attachment. 

Let us remember that yoga is not about achieving the perfect pose or comparing ourselves to others. It is about embracing the journey and connecting with our true selves. As we continue to explore the depths of asana practice, may we approach it with a sense of self-compassion and gratitude, allowing it to be a transformative tool for self-healing and self-discovery.

Jai

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The post Ustrasana for December first appeared on Maria Garre.

The post Ustrasana for December appeared first on Maria Garre.

Self-discovery through Ayurveda.

One of the many gifts of Ayurveda is that it helps us comprehend who we were MEANT to be, not WISH to be.

PRAKRUTI

A profound journey in self-transformation to acceptance and celebration.

When you begin from the start, then you bow down to the miracle of your body. This body is nothing without the light of the Soul. For it was the Soul that entered your womb to make the egg and sperm viable for life. A Divine gathering indeed.

The Soul brings the spark of life which drives the reproductive tissue to mold an earthen body. This is You, me, us. Five elements from subtle to gross comprise who we are. Life is a tripod of the mind, the body, and the Light of Life.

Ayurveda’s tri-dosha model offers a practical application and guide for us to live by honoring the teachings of life.

It is why Ayurveda’s approach to individualized medicine over the past 5,000-plus years is still at the forefront of BEST medicine practices for healing and wellness. You are unique and thereby your both medicine and lifestyle are also singular per individual.

PRAKRUTI – your ayurvedic constitutional as it is often translated to, simply is who you were meant to be. Understanding our Prakruti offers insight and lifelong exploration to maintain health and total well-being.

When you understand our body just a little better and how to support it, rather than fight it, the conversation shifts. Your mind finds clarity. There is an inner sense of home and inner knowing. At least that is how it has felt for me and many of the humans I am honored to support and teach the teachings.

Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They are the active principles of the Soul that manifest through your body and mind in different ways. From blood to energy, Ayurveda links the whole body through the tri-dosha model so you can see and understand your life. This is why the wise Sages left us this brilliant medicine. To serve and support the journey of life (Ayur).

READY TO EXPLORE AND GET TO YOU KNOW YOURSELF?

Dive deeper into the famous Dosha test and get to the core of who you truly are. I HIGHLY recommend you give these questions to a parent or parent-like person or your BFF to help evaluate and take the average of several scores.

DOWNLOAD MARIA’S DOSHA ASSESSMENT

The post PRAKRUTI first appeared on Maria Garre.

The post PRAKRUTI appeared first on Maria Garre.

Ayurveda’s tri-dosha model for health teaches that each Dosha has duties and responsibilities toward maintaining the body’s health. The model states we have our own unique Doshic make-up called Prakruti. Prakruti is who you are meant to be. Prakruti teaches and explains the unique make-up of who we are, as well as how to maintain balance and health. As you get to know your unique constitutional qualities you begin to make better decisions. From what to eat, to how to exercise, dress, and work, to understand Prakruti is a phenomenal resource.

Self-care can only begin when we actually know who we are!

For now, I’d like to introduce you to each Dosha that is supporting your entire health and well-being. When not in balance, it disturbs and disrupts their ability to do their jobs. Imbalanced Dosha becomes ill-health or disease, eventually.

The Will of Vata

Vata’s Dharma is TO MOVE. 

VA-ta comes from the Sanskrit Verb root VA = move, to go and is related to the Vahi which means vehicle. 

Vata’s destiny is to move, to rock& roll. To expect otherwise is to not understand what Vata is here to do. Without Vata, there would be no movement. Power to the Movement – Go Vata, Go!

Vata is the superfine essence of Prana, the throbbing pulse of life. Like ghee is the superfine essence of the cow, Prana is the finest particle of Vata. The animating life force that generates life through pulsation, vibration.

The psychophysiology of Vata lies in its association with Space and Air within the biology of the body. Vata supports the body as the essence of movement. From defecation to speech + heartbeat, Vata is behind the scenes. The movement of our nervous system, feelings and thoughts, touch, and hearing are all under the domain of Vata. From the moment of your cells to muscles and bones, Vata is the one.  For Vata is the prime mover of ALL!

Vata in nature is the wind and sky above. This is why Vata loves to look up! All the possibility lies in the space above. Think of the Hummingbird. This admired joyful creature is a wonderful Vata archetype: light, quick, and entertaining. Meanwhile, the snake in Ayurveda often personifies Vata’s pulse as quick and shifting. Vata’s nature is to move, to create, to rise up, to spring forward! 

To note is that movement has a direction. It’s not chaotic or all over the place. Vata moves with direction, intention, clarity, and at the right speed. Air can swiftly change direction and speed but not in a frazzled way. Clear communication and expression are the gifts. Moving the world in the right way at the right speed at the right time. 

The Pitta Mission

Pitta’s Dharma is to transform. 

Pi – tta comes from the Sanskrit root of TA-pas which means “to heat, to shine”. Thus Pitta is here to SHINE, to LIGHT up the world. 

But, put your sunglasses on, because all that light can make those Pitta eyes red, sensitive, and photophobic.

Pitta is the superfine essence of Tejas, the intelligence and wisdom of the body. The pure part of the flame that brings the aura and glow to the fire. 

However, PItta is not just the fire element and many forget. In our body, Pitta is the amalgamation of water and fire. The psychophysiology of Pitta is liquid fire: from enzymes to blood, bile, hydrochloric acid, and intelligence. The nature of this liquid fire is to transform whatever comes it’s way. Pitta is best seen as the luminous Sun, pulsing like a ball of hot radiant liquid. Brings light and warmth. In the animal kingdom, Pitta can be a Fire Dragon, burning and transforming all on the path. But also delicate like a fox. The pulse of Pitta is a like a frog. Jumping and pushing into the fingertip. Pitta rules the blood and we feel the pulse of the doshas within the vessel of the radial artery. 

Piita’s nature is fire, but not to burn itself. Biologically it is the metabolizer of all. From vision and thoughts to food, we take in the world and must digest what we eat and experience. The digestive process of transforming it is the domain of Pitta. Transforming darkness to light, water to vapor and so on the job of Pitta is to heat and cook. 

The Kapha Offering

Kapha’s Dharma is to lubricate, to nourish via fluid and fluidity. Go with the flow.

The Sanskrit word Ka-Pha itself means “to flourish in water”. Thus, Kapha’s main role in the body is to bring the fluid essence to all of our tissues. 

Kapha is also the super-fine essence of Ojas, the fluid nectar of fertility, vitality, and immunity. Ojas is often compared to Soma, the sacred nectar of immortality offered to the Gods. 

But let’s not get lost in the poetry, Kapha’s psychophysiology in the blend of Earth and Water. It brings both fluidity and strength. From the moisture of the skin, and the strength of our muscles and ligaments, to the lubrication of our joints, Kapha offers fortitude and stamina to our whole being. The very nature of Kapha is to protect, strengthen, build, grow, and repair. From sinuses to lymph and phlegm, the liquid stability of strength is there to nourish. 

In nature, the essence of Kapha is captivated by the mountains, the ocean, rivers, cloudy/rainy days, snow, and elephants. The pulse of Kapha is that of a swan, gliding, swaying into the fingertips. 

The Earth holds us and gives us the structure we need, water brings life and food. This is the very essence of Kapha. Giving, compassion, fluidity, and tranquility are hallmarks of this Dosha.

There is much to say about each Ayurvedic Dosha, especially at a clinical level.  This is a creative, evolving rendition of how I’ve come to relate to each Dosha through Dharma, not just through text but through self-exploration. n my special program called Prakruti and together let’s discover who you were meant to be! 

Ready to dive in and explore your Prakruti? Let’s Meet.

The post Dosha Dharma: Divine Destiny  first appeared on Maria Garre.

The post Dosha Dharma: Divine Destiny  appeared first on Maria Garre.