The human body is designed for physical activity to move, breathe and circulate life energy. More than approximately 5000 years ago, Ayurvedic master and physician Charaka wrote in a journal, “From physical exercise, one gets lightness, a capacity for work, firmness, tolerance to difficulties, elimination of impurities, and stimulation of digestion.”
The fact is, getting regular exercise is the most powerful way to stay healthy, relieve stress and reverse the aging process. A study from Tufts University indicated that exercise alone improves muscle mass, strength, bone density, aerobic capacity and other key functional biomarkers of the aging process.
The secret behind your own exercise regime
Keeping your body in optimum condition for as long as possible requires regular exercise. This doesn’t mean that you have to pound your muscles into shape. In Ayurvedic practice, exercise is meant to invoke a sense of invigorated joy, a stress-free mind, ready for the day at hand. You shouldn’t be exhausted or at the mercy of painkillers at any point during your day.
The secret to finding the right kind of physical exercise, the ones that you most enjoy, will benefit your body type or dosha and complement the way your mind works. Exercise shouldn’t feel like a chore, but a regular system of energy exertion that brings many benefits to your overall health and well-being. Let’s explore some exercise tips according to your dosha.
Kapha Dosha
Kapha doshas have strong, steady energy and great physical strength. Hence, they can excel at endurance sports like long-distance running, dance, rowing, aerobics, soccer, basketball, and more. Any type of aerobic exercise that makes you sweat well is powerful for battling Kapha congestion and sluggishness.
If you are predominantly the Kapha dosha, your biggest challenge may be getting motivated to start exercising. If you haven’t been exercising, you can break the chain by starting to walk for half an hour a day, at a time.
For the best results, it is important that you work up a good sweat during your exercise. You can always wear a two-layer jacket or exercise jumper to increase the effects of your exercise. Gradually, start jogging, hiking and bicycling to get the best results.
Pitta Dosha
Pitta dosha types have a strong drive and often like challenging sports like hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, and tennis. Because of their competitive nature, those who are predominantly Pitta dosha must be careful not to get stressed while exercising. This could be something simple as stewing over every bad shot with a mentality that wants to win at any cost.
If you are predominantly of Pitta dosha, you may enjoy winter sports because your body can handle cold better than Vata and Kapha doshas. Pittas usually have less endurance than most Kaphas, but can handle exercise well in moderation. You can always try your hand at long-distance cycling, rollerblading, or skating. A long leisure walk outdoors in a beautiful place can surely benefit you. This practice relieves you from an extremely determined and pacey approach to a deeper nature-oriented blissful experience. Swimming is an ideal exercise for the Pitta dosha. Water cools the heat build-up in the dosha, letting go of accumulated tensions during the day.
Vata Dosha
Vata dosha types are naturally enthusiastic, with bursts of energy but often tend to tire sooner. If their physical and mental balance is not maintained, they are prone to get carried away and pushing themselves too hard. Feeling exhausted, dizzy or cramping up are commons signs of imbalance in the Vata dosha.
If you are predominantly a Vata dosha, you can benefit enormously from ground exercises like yoga, walking, dancing, and bicycling. Such activities can help the Vata dosha develop strength and endurance, as well as agility and balance. Additionally, these types of exercises ensure that you do not overdo them. During winters, indoor exercises are recommended for Vata doshas as they may be more vulnerable to the cold, considering that they may not have enough fat and muscle for protection from cold weather.
Essentially, the right kind of exercise is dependent on your mind-body type, to give you the best results and benefits. You should not follow an exercise program just because it is healthy because if you don’t enjoy it you will not stick to it. No matter what your current fitness levels are, consistency is key to maintain balance and gather the benefits of exercise. Create a regular exercise routine for your dosha type, to experience the flow of vital energy and mental fulfillment.
If you’re not sure about your dosha type, you can discover your dosha by consulting Chithrakoota Ayurveda, the best ayurvedic treatment in kundapur. Click here for online consultation and our Ayurvedic experts will get back to you.