Yoga for Vata

YOGA YOUR DOSHA – VATA

I am an advocate for True Yoga. Yoga was not designed as a fitness program, but a spiritual one. Sadly, more and more yoga fads are being created that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to try, without realizing that even in a healthy person, different styles of yoga are NOT a healthy option for you. For instance, individuals who are a vata or pitta constitution would not benefit from heated yogas, in fact, they can be further aggravated and put out of balance by doing so. For a well balanced personal yoga practice, it is important to take into consideration the individual’s body structure, prakruti (original constitution), and vikruti (present constitutional imbalance). The following are general recommendations according to the predominant dosha. Please consult your doctor before beginning any programs listed on the Health section of this website.

Vata:
Vatas must remember to focus on calming, grounding, stillness, strengthening, and balancing while doing their practice. Vinyasa or flow styles of yoga tend to move too quickly from one pose to the next and can aggravate the hyper-mobile quality of vata over time. Transitions should be done slowly and consciously.
Recommended Salutation/Series:
Sattva Namaskar: Salute to Inner Calm

Recommended Postures:
 Vrkasana (Tree)
 Bhujangasana (Cobra)
 Eka Pada Pavanamuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)
 Janu Shirshasana (Seated Head-to-Knee)
 Supta Balasana (Belly Soothing Resting Pose)
 Yogamudrasana (Sealing Pose)
 Savasana (Corpse)

Recommended Styles:
Kriya Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga and other structured techniques keep vata stabilized and focused.