Ayurveda and Exercise – What is the best exercise routine for you?
We often see two variations of exercise culture in the west: obsessive or a lack of exercise. Both of these can cause a build-up of toxins, ama, and leave us feeling exhausted and generally unwell. From an Ayurvedic perspective, overexertion can cause as many problems as a lack of exercise.
Due to the individuality and unique qualities of each person, dietary and lifestyle recommendations differ. The same is applicable when it comes to exercise. Each dosha has various capabilities when it comes to exercise. Below are some recommendations when it comes to determining effective exercises for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata: Individuals with high levels of Vata in their constitution generally require the least strenuous exercise routine in comparison to Pitta and Kapha individuals. Gentle, slow and routine exercise is critical in encouraging balance of the Vata individual. Recommended exercise would include light walking, gentle hatha yoga postures, and pranayama to calm the quickness of the mind. These individuals should focus on exercise to help calm the tendency to constantly move.
Pitta: Pitta individuals tend to have higher amounts of energy. In order to balance the energy, it is critical that they perform exercise each day that favours fluidity and relaxation in order to combat the tendencies towards competition and tension. However, it is important that these people do not burn out by excess energy. Ayurveda stresses that we should only exercise to about 50-80% of our capacity. Swimming and light cardio would be beneficial for these individuals. Also, yoga and pranayama exercises to calm any emotions.
Kapha: Due to the tendency to hold excess weight, individuals with a Kapha prakriti generally require higher amounts of physical exercise. This can include light jogging and longer duration of walking exercise. Kapha constitutions should aim to sweat during their exercise routines.
How do you know if you have overexerted yourself?
It is generally accepted within Ayurvedic principles that once you start sweating on your forehead that you should discontinue the exercise to refrain from overexerting your body.
• Wait about two hours after eating to exercise.
• Do not exercise too late in the evening. It may disrupt your sleeping routine. It is recommended that you exercise between 6am-10am, during the Kapha period of the day, to receive the most benefits from your exercise.
If you have any questions about your personal exercise routine, you are welcome to call us at 0406 810 547 or email info@lakshmiayurveda.com.au. We would love to help you set up a routine that encourages your personal exercise goals! If you would like to lose weight, we offer nutrition consultations to directly address your diet.
With love from your Lakshmi Team, have a beautiful day!
* 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘎𝘈. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘺𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘯. 𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺, 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘴.
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