Yoga BLOG

Ayurvedic lifestyle comprehensive well-being Ayurveda is currently on everyone's lips. The holistic approach of this ancient Indian healing art is particularly well-received for today's problems. Hectic pace, stress, and poor nutrition place lasting strains on our bodies. With the help of the intelligent and thoughtful approaches of the Ayurvedic lifestyle, body and mind can find harmony again. Here you can read at a glance what role nutrition, yoga and special cleansing treatments play in this physical and psychological detoxification. The Ayurvedic diet ensures balance of the doshas Why Ayurvedic nutrition is so healthy is best explained by looking at the three doshas. These three groups, formed from the elements, are endowed with different properties – and these influence our bodies! The so-called doshas—or basic bioenergetic principles—are divided into Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Whenever one dosha predominates, an imbalance occurs in the body. This then leads to various illnesses. From birth, every person has their own unique constitution—so they can be a Vata, Pitta, or Kapha type : Vata type: This dosha is responsible for the movement processes in our body. Its elements are air and ether. An excess of Vata often results in digestive problems or similar stress symptoms. Pitta type: This dosha is centered on the elements of fire and water. It represents "warmth" and is thus directly related to the metabolism and digestive system. Too much Pitta often causes heartburn and choleric tendencies. Kapha type: A tendency toward obesity is very typical for this dosha. The stable element of earth combines with the element of water here. Kapha is responsible for holding things together and stabilizes the immune system. Each person reacts differently to food intake —that is, everyone utilizes their food differently. This is why some people are more prone to water retention or fat deposits than others. Personality traits can also be traced back to the doshas. While Vata types, for example, have rapidly changing moods, Pittas are prone to outbursts of anger. Kaphas, on the other hand, radiate a fairly balanced and calm personality. Based on this knowledge, each person can put together their own diet plan to correct the imbalance of their doshas. Ayurveda nutrition: this is what the cuisine of the Indian healing doctrine looks like An Ayurvedic diet has a wonderfully balancing effect on physical health. To achieve this, the most important basic elements of Ayurvedic cuisine should be observed: Ayurvedic foods Indian healing doctrine has recognized certain foods as more digestible than others. Warm foods are best, and eaten three times a day . Raw foods are fine for lunch – in all cases, one should eat as fresh food as possible . Use little salt and sugar, but add the valuable ghee – an Indian clarified butter that is a must. Easily digestible foods include leafy greens like spinach or chard, barley, chili, and detoxifying vegetables like asparagus or celery. Spices An important principle of Ayurvedic nutrition is a combination of the six tastes, the "rasas" – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, and astringent. These rasas should all be present together in a meal. If food isn't digested properly, metabolic waste and toxic substances – known as ama – remain. The right spices help prevent this. The digestive fire, agni, is supposed to be stimulated. Compositions As always with Ayurveda, the right combination of ingredients is crucial. In Ayurvedic cuisine, animal proteins, such as meat, fish, eggs, or milk, are not eaten together in one dish. Why muesli with fruit and yogurt doesn't work so well is simple: Milk, as a standalone food, should not be combined with salty or acidic foods , nor with vegetables or fresh fruit. Chickpeas, lentils, and pulses have no problem with milk, and mung beans are also good. Fruit is best eaten on its own —otherwise, it will cause fermentation during digestion. If you eat grains, potatoes, fats, or pasta, you should balance them with vegetables and salad . Rice is considered safe in all combinations. Food philosophy Very often, health problems arise because we have the wrong attitude toward food. Ayurveda views eating as a pleasure and places great emphasis on mindfulness. We should ask ourselves more often why we eat. Boredom, stress, or even sadness are common motivators. However, it would be much better to eat out of genuine hunger and conviction! Eating slowly and thoughtfully brings balance and health. The Ayurvedic lifestyle supports stress and burnout Relaxation is one of the most important keys to a more balanced lifestyle. Our bodies benefit, especially from a health perspective, from practices like yoga. Physical benefits also arise from Ayurvedic treatments , which combine nutritional concepts, meditation, acupuncture, massage, and, of course, yoga. When it comes to preventing stress and burnout, this is like balm for the soul. Yoga, in particular, offers impressive healing results – renewed joint flexibility, relaxed nerves, and a stronger immune system are just a few examples. For relaxation and as an energy source, Ayurveda is unbeatable. Ayurveda cleanses and detoxifies The detoxifying effect of the Ayurvedic lifestyle is particularly beneficial for detoxification treatments. A better body image, weight loss, and radiant skin are just a few of the positive side effects. If you want to lose weight sustainably and healthily through Ayurveda , the Ayurvedic way of life is arguably one of the best ways to help you today. A proper diet, combined with plenty of exercise and excellent yoga exercises, can flush out the body's unnecessary toxins and unleash a whole new level of mental strength ! Conclusion With Ayurveda, you can regain well-being, liberation, and inner and physical strength. With a dosha-appropriate diet , cleansing and relaxing meditation exercises and yoga practices, as well as soothing massages, you can find balance and equilibrium . This can alleviate illness and restore your strength! Elisabeth Mauracher: Managing Director & Yoga Instructor Author : Elisabeth Mauracher Position : Managing Director & Yoga Instructor Elisabeth Mauracher is the young managing director of the European Ayurveda® Resort Sonnhof in Hinterthiersee, Tyrol. Her main responsibilities include operational hotel management, guest relations, and human resources. To balance her administrative duties, she leads yoga classes and shares her knowledge in engaging YouTube videos . Cover photo © marilyna / 123rf.com

The three Ayurveda types The wisdom of Ayurveda is based on the awareness of energies received from seers (rishis) and is fundamentally based on the five elements: space (ether), air, fire, water, and earth. According to the teachings, however, we are also part of these energies, which is why the five elements are also hidden in the human body. According to Ayurvedic wisdom, a distinction is made between three life energies (doshas): Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. According to the principles of Ayurveda, every individual has an individual constitution from birth, resulting from a combination of the doshas or one of their pure forms. Different treatments, diets, and lifestyles are recommended for each type. Therefore, it is certainly of interest to you to know which Ayurveda type you belong to: The Vata type Vata is responsible for all movement in the human organism, both physical and psychological. Vata, as a cosmic symbol, represents wind and the principles of change and lightness. Vata is a combination of ether and air, and its influences include movement and activity. If you have more Vata in your constitution, you're probably very short or very tall and enjoy being active and moving. Vata types often include people over 180 centimeters tall who still appear slender. However, they tend to have a sinewy build and are less muscular. Many endurance athletes, for example, are Vata types who weigh little but are nevertheless very tough. Vata-dominant people often tend to have thin skin, frizzy hair, and irregular teeth. Vata constitutions are also characterized by small but highly mobile eyes and a quickly tanning complexion. They are often cold and have an aversion to cold and wet conditions. Mentally, Vata types are extremely fit and unpretentious, but they are prone to grief and worry. Their comprehension, creativity, open-mindedness, and curiosity are somewhat limited by their forgetfulness and unreliability. The Pitta type According to Ayurvedic principles, Pitta is based on the element of fire. Pitta is responsible for metabolism, digestion, heat balance, hormones, as well as intellect and emotional expression. If you're more of a Pitta type, you have the potential to be a leader. Pitta constitutions enjoy working and can be decisive when they want to make a difference or achieve something. Their inner strength, their expert knowledge, and their high level of motivation enable them to adequately overcome professional, personal, and especially athletic obstacles and problems. Pitta people only feel good when they are mentally or physically challenged. But the ambition and perfectionism of Pitta types also has its downsides. They often put themselves under so much pressure to perform that they are rarely satisfied with themselves. From this dissatisfaction, they, in turn, draw drive and strength to cope with their daily lives. Endowed with charisma, charisma, and intelligence, Pitta constitutions are popular but also feared. They are considered strict, fussy, and critical. Because Pitta types enjoy eating a lot, they sometimes suffer from weight problems and excessive sweating. Thinning hair, freckles, moles, and rather blemished skin also indicate Pitta constitutions. The Kapha type Kapha consists of the elements earth and water and represents constancy and stability. The Kapha type is provided with reserves that give it endurance and strength. If you tend toward the Kapha type, you're likely a rock for your friends and family. Your caring and stability bring harmony, although strangers might consider you a bit sluggish. However, Kapha types are precisely the people with whom others are more likely to find inner peace and contentment. Kapha constitutions are strong, have stamina, and yet tend to be overweight. Smooth, rather oily skin, as well as thick, rather dark hair, also characterize Kapha types. They act thoughtfully, are thorough, and prefer a quiet lifestyle. Hecticness is alien to them, and family is their top priority. However, their domesticity can sometimes make Kapha people lonely. To tear dreamy Kapha types away from their secure environment, they must be motivated to lead an active life with plenty of exercise. Kapha personalities, with their calm nature, are ideally suited to yoga, which can also help them lead a conscious and active life. Image © krisblackphotography