India has been home to various ancient arts and techniques, two of which are Yoga and Ayurveda. Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from ‘yuj’ which means join, connect, or balance. Ayurveda refers to the ancient medical tradition derived from the Sanskrit word called ‘ayur’ which means ‘life’ or ‘longevity’; veda means ‘knowledge’ or ‘science’. Therefore, Ayurveda is a science of life or the pool of knowledge that leads to longevity. 

The combination of Yoga and Ayurveda offers a full system of well-being for the body, mind, and consciousness. It can become a revolutionary healing technique that is desperately needed in today’s modern world. While both these ancient practices have their unique features, they overlap each other at various levels. 

This article will help you understand the relation between Yoga and Ayurveda and how they can be a source of healing. Continue reading to know more. 

Yoga and Ayurveda are the significant part of vedic science. The former is a well-known art and is followed globally, while the latter is also an important part of Indian medicinal culture and is extensively covered by Ayurveda news portals, magazines, and practitioners. 

Both of them (Yoga and Ayurveda) are considered to be closed associated. While many people consider Yoga as a simple form of physical exercise, however, it is just not limited to it. The regular practice of yoga poses has a profound effect on one’s mind, body, and soul. The goal and origin of yoga are similar to Ayurveda. Both Yoga and Ayurveda have their origin in India and both are focused on the attainment of better health and mind. This common goal makes them deeply interrelated and important for the success of each other. 

Yoga originates from the Yajur veda, while Ayurveda originates from the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda. Both of them are based upon the teachings or principles of trigunas (sattva, rajas, and tamas) and panchamahabuthas or the five elements – earth, air, fire, water, and space. Both Yoga and Ayurveda are focused on understanding how an individual’s body works (this includes the study of humor-tissue-waste material/Dosha-dhatu-mala theory); it also studies the effect of food and medicines on the body (Rasa-veerya-vipaka theory). Yoga is also an important aspect of the Ayurvedic schedule called dinacharya. 

Ayurvedic practitioners attempt to help a person (patient) get rid of the ama (toxins) of the body. Its further production is stopped by putting the patient on a fixed diet and lifestyle habits. Yoga poses too are an attempt to get rid of the toxins of the body. If a person performs regular yoga but does not follow an ayurvedic diet then the postures are nothing more than a simple physical exercise. 

Individuals can customize their yoga practice by knowing about their doshas. For example: 

- Vata dosha – People with vata dosha are mentally quick, creative, and enjoy movement. If their vata dosha is imbalanced, they might experience insomnia, dryness, and anxiety. Yoga poses such as mountain pose, spinal twists, calm breathing, inversions, etc. are great to balance the vata dosha in the body.

- Pitta dosha – Individuals whose pitta dosha is more prominent are passionate, courageous, and enthusiastic. An imbalance can cause them to experience frequent episodes of anger, inflammation, and competitiveness. Relaxing and heart-opening yoga poses such as forward bends, bow and camel, etc. can help balance the pitta dosha.

- Kapha dosha – Kapha dosha individuals tend to be consistent, stable, devoted, and strong. An imbalance in the kapha can lead to procrastination, congestion, or dullness. Sun salutations and vigorous breathing exercises such as kapalabhati can help get rid of the symptoms. 

Every individual is dominated by three of these doshas in different constitutions.

Just like Yoga is an important part of Ayurvedic treatment, ayurvedic diet and lifestyle are also important for yogis. The practice of abhyanga can help the body get rid of toxins before one starts the yoga practice. Having knowledge of Ayurveda can help you a lot in your yoga practice. If not deep, you can have basic knowledge. Following Ayurved News, Ayurveda magazines, classes, etc. can help you develop an elementary knowledge of this ancient vedic science. 

Yoga poses help to cleanse the various channels of the body, but it will be a complete waste if you are not following the principles of Ayurveda to remove toxins from the body. Many yoga institutes teach yoga asanas along with ayurvedic principles as both are complementary to each other. 

Till now we read how Yoga and Ayurveda are closely interrelated. While Ayurveda is focused on healing the body, yoga is not inherently a medical system. It aims to relieve spiritual suffering. However, Yoga poses can be applied specifically to get rid of a health condition. When using Yoga for healing then it should be applied based on the ayurvedic guidelines and lifestyle changes. 

Ayurveda includes all aspects of medicine – herbs, diet, drugs, bodywork, surgery, and special procedures like panchakarma. For healing the mind, it follows various rituals, mantras, and meditation sessions. Here, it also encompasses Yoga in the form of asanas and pranayama as a part of its healing tools. Thus, yoga is integrally related to Ayurveda and vice-versa. 

Both yoga and Ayurveda are important to attain full healing and spiritual potential of human beings. As a bottom line - Ayurveda provides the recommended lifestyle changes for Yoga practice and forms the background of unfolding the full potential of Yoga poses. Yoga offers a psychological and spiritual basis for Ayurvedic treatments and other applications. 

To know more about these vedic sciences follow Ayurveda magazines or enroll yourself in a yoga institute for integrating Ayurveda in your yoga practice.