Ayurveda Yoga and Healing the Body-Mind
Not long ago, I met a remarkable seventy-two-year-old woman who has been practising hatha yoga since she was seventeen. If I hadn’t known her age, I would have guessed she was in her early sixties. Her mind was sharp, and her body was incredibly flexible—a true testament to the health benefits of yoga. She also embraced a healthy lifestyle, incorporating Ayurvedic principles into her diet and adapting her practices to align with the seasons.
Ayurveda Yoga serves as a powerful practice for healing the body- mind connection. Two vedic sciences that have a powerful healing effect on the healing of the body and mind. Body-mind wellness refers to a holistic approach to health that recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
In Ayurveda Yoga, the concept of the four 'bodies' refers to energetic aspects that influence our overall well-being. Throughout the practice, techniques such as meditation, breathwork, sound, chanting, and movement are utilised to cleanse these four energetic bodies. This holistic approach fosters feelings of calm, balance, and greater harmony within oneself.
While the health benefits of physical exercise are well recognized, recent years have seen growing interest from exercise neuroscientists of breathing and meditation in yoga practice. As scientific evidence supporting the physical and mental health benefits of yoga and documented positive effects on brain structure and function. (2)
Yoga used for therapeutic or healing purposes can differ significantly from yoga practised solely for muscle strengthening and flexibility. This is the beauty of Ayurveda Yoga- the incorporation of the practises that not only strengthen and harmonise the physical body but work to harmonise the emotional, mental and spiritual.
When yoga is approached with its original intent, the emphasis shifts to the connection between body and mind, rather than viewing them as separate entities. (1)
Ayurveda Yoga is defined as the application of postures and practices that provide instruction in yogic techniques, combined with the teachings of Ayurveda to balance the body’s energies and align with natural rhythms.
A study of the therapeutic effects of yoga indicate that yogic practices enhance muscular strength and flexibility, improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, support recovery from addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, alleviate chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and contribute to overall well-being and quality of life. (3)
Ayurveda Yoga is a valuable practice to incorporate into your daily routine. Learning this style of yoga can enhance your health, increase flexibility, and positively impact your mental well-being. The benefits of Ayurveda Yoga are well-documented, helping you achieve wellness goals and boost your overall vitality and well-being.
I am launching an Ayurveda Yoga Level 1 course for Jan 2025- Yoga Alliance approved. Start the new year with a new practice to harmonise and align.
Written by Mairead McCorry, Masters Sc. in Acupuncture, Bachelor of Nursing, Post Grad. Dip. Education, Adv. Dip. Ayurveda Medicine.
References
Bennett, L., & Starnino, V. (2022) The experience of yoga for persons with complex interpersonal trauma: A phenomenological approach, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101674.
2. Gothe, NP., Khan, I., Hayes, J., Erlenbach, E., & Damoiseaux, JS. (2019) Yoga Effects on Brain Health: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature. Brain Plast. Dec 26;5(1):105-122. https://doi: 10.3233/BPL-190084
3. Woodyard, C. (2011) Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. Int J Yoga. Jul;4(2):49-54. doi: 10.4103/0973-6131.85485.