Exploring the Doshas in Advanced Yoga Teacher Training
Exploring the Doshas in Advanced Yoga Teacher Training
Enrolling in Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (RYT500) will give you the freedom to concentrate on one or more aspects of yoga that your initial yoga teacher training omits. The art and science of teaching yoga develop with additional education, such as the 300-hour RYT courses.
Of particular interest to study is Ayurveda and how this ancient healing process seamlessly integrates with your yoga teachings. Learning the fundamental principles of Ayurveda and the Doshas improves the relationship to your clients, as you can better serve their dosha balances and needs.
Introduction to Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient healing system, an excellent balance of science, tradition, and holistic wellness. The original text about Ayurveda is The Caraka Samhita, written between 1500 and 5 B.C.E. This holistic scripture discusses lifestyle, diet, disease, and even embryology.
Four purposes comprise life in Ayurveda, working together to achieve long-lasting health and life. These purposes are Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Dharma describes the following in a virtuous path, and Artha addresses collecting wealth. Kama addresses fulfilling your dreams and experiencing pleasures and desires. If all three of these are found and achieved, Moksha - achieving salvation - occurs.
The Doshas
Also within Ayurveda are the Doshas. Everyone and everything in the world has a basic constitution - qualities that make up that person or thing. In Ayurveda, air, fire, water, space, and earth combine in various combinations to create doshas. There are three doshas, and everyone is a unique blend of the three. Some people are tridoshic, meaning the doshas are equally balanced. When the doshas are highly imbalanced and extreme, the body and mind become unbalanced, and disease can set in.
Kapha is the earth and water dosha. Kapha also corresponds to the 1st and 2nd chakras of muladhara and swadhisthana respectively. Qualities of kapha include clear and sometimes oily skin, dark wavy hair, large eyes, and a strong body that tends to gain weight. This dosha is also associated with the winter season.
The Pitta dosha represents fire and water, and is associated with the 2nd chakra swadhisthana and the 3rd chakra manipura. Pitta characteristics include freckled and flushed skin, light or red hair, and light eyes. The body shape is balanced, and weight fluctuations are easy. Pitta is associated with the spring and summer seasons.
The Vata dosha represents air and links to the 4th chakra - anahata. Vata elements include dry and olive tinted skin, dark hair, and small eyes. The body is wispy and light, and hands and feet may be cold. Fall is the season associated with the Vata dosha.
Yoga and the Doshas
While teaching yoga, your clients are your guide. Their particular dosha composition, and the season, give you valuable feedback on what sequencing and poses are beneficial to bring the mind and body back into balance.
All aspects of Ayurveda - diet, asana, pranayama, season, routines, and meditation - vary from dosha to dosha. For example, the kapha dosha benefits from vigor, like a fast-pased vinyasa class or more challenging asana and complex sequencing. Pitta types benefit from cooling yoga practice, stressing inward reflection. Vata types find slow and restorative hatha practices beneficial.
Blending pranayama into your yoga teaching is another way to address the doshas. The kapha dosha relates to kapalabhati pranayama, and the breath of fire. Any time the breath can heat, as with suyra bhedana, the kapha imbalance subsides. The pitta dosha benefits from calming pranayama, avoiding the kapha positive pranayama. Focus instead on sitali or sitkhari pranayama. Vata types need to balance with kapalabhati in moderation and focus on jalandhara bandha to equalize.
Yoga and the doshas away from the yoga mat
Perhaps one of the most fulfilling roles of being a yoga teacher is giving your clients the tools to bring yoga and Ayurveda home. Use your newfound understanding of doshas to enable your clients to explore their doshas in-depth and find lifestyle solutions. Teaching routines, simple pranayama, and appropriate asana and encouraging them to practice away from you will solidify a habit that benefits many aspects of their physical and mental health.
Pursue Advanced Yoga Teacher Training and Learn More About Exploring the Doshas – Training Now Available Online!
Learning more about the doshas and Ayurveda in continuing education also gives you the knowledge to specialize your teachings, and conduct comprehensive Ayurvedic seminars and workshops.
As a yoga teacher, pursuing advanced teacher training will ensure a long career and help you reach more clients than before. To learn more about this topic, reach out to us at PremaYogaInstitute.com and we will be happy to help! Also, we’d love for you to consider enrolling in our next Online and RYT Accredited course below:
Online Education: Yoga Therapeutics Essentials:
Introduction to Ayurveda and One-on-One Yoga
Exploring the doshas (body/personality types) as inspiration in practice and teaching.
Adjusting the yoga practice for time of year, time of day, and time of life.
Bringing your practice off the mat in a practical, holistic way.
Using intake to personalize the yoga practice for your clients.
Yoga Therapeutics Essentials program format features:
Convenient self study hours
3 weeks of meaningful live hours with your faculty and cohort
Option to complete online or in person for selected hours at Pure Yoga in New York City
In-person registrants receive one month of complimentary yoga classes at Pure Yoga through February (for non-members only)
LEARN MORE AT: PREMAYOGAINSTITUTE.COM
Prema Yoga Institute is longer limited to New York City and is now available online with interactive trainings through 2022. PYI is an accredited program based in New York city, teaching students around the globe through online classes. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you advance your yoga practice and teaching!
If you found this information useful, visit our Blog often or subscribe to our Mailing List for similar content.
