3. Brief introduction
I received my AOS in Western Herbalism from
the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
4. Brief introduction
I received my AOS in Western Herbalism from
the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
I have been studying
herbs/aromatherapy/Ayurveda for over 15
years
5. Brief introduction
I received my AOS in Western Herbalism from
the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
I have been studying
herbs/aromatherapy/Ayurveda for over 15
years
I have over 750 hours in Yoga Teacher
Training
6. Brief introduction
I received my AOS in Western Herbalism from
the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
I have been studying
herbs/aromatherapy/Ayurveda for over 15
years
I have over 750 hours in Yoga Teacher
Training
I have an advanced degree from the school of
hard knocks!
7. Brief introduction
I received my AOS in Western Herbalism from
the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
I have been studying
herbs/aromatherapy/Ayurveda for over 15
years
I have an advanced degree from the school of
hard knocks!
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona
(and believe it or not, I still live there!)
8. Ayurveda – What is it?
(and how in the world do I pronounce
it?)
• Ayurveda is a way of living with
awareness, a time honored healing art
from India.
9. Ayurveda – What is it?
(and how in the world do I pronounce
it?)
• Ayurveda is a way of living with
awareness, a time honored healing art
from India.
• Two Sanskrit words (ayus = life or
lifespan) (veda = knowledge), so the two
words sewn together
10. Ayurveda – What is it?
(and how in the world do I pronounce
it?)
• Ayurveda is a way of living with
awareness, a time honored healing art
from India.
• Two Sanskrit words (ayus = life or
lifespan) (veda = knowledge), so the two
words sewn together
• Ayurveda means “life-knowledge” or
“science of life”.
11. Ayurveda – What is the body made
of?
Modern science
Ayurvedic science
12. Ayurveda – Some concepts
Ayurveda seeks to teach and manifest
balance, rather than pacifying or
suppressing symptoms.
1. Yoga (mental refinement)
2. Breathing techniques (Pranayama)
3. Massage
4. Diet (eating for health & balance)
5. Herbal medicine
6. Color therapy
7. Sound therapy
13. Everyone (and everything) has a
constitution
We look at 5 elements
(Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether)
We look at 5 senses
(Smell, Taste, Sight, Touch, Sound)
& 5 Organs
(Nose, Tongue, Eyes, Skin, Ears)
14. In addition…
3 gunas or fundamental attributes
Satva - the pure essence of reality
Rajas - change or movement
Tamas - the force of inertia
3 humors or Doshas (biological forces)
Vata (Air & Space)
Pitta (Fire & Water)
Kapha (Water & Earth)
7 tissues
16 channels
7 Chakras
Agni - fire
Ama – sticky residue
The Ayurvedic Anatomy: body, breath, mind, ego and
consciousness
15. In addition…
There are 7 basic tissues (dhatu), which are
plasma, blood, muscles, fat, bone, marrow and
nerve tissue, and reproductive tissue.
Ayurveda has historically divided bodily
substances into five classical elements: earth,
water, fire, air and ether.
There are also twenty qualities or
characteristics which are considered to be
inherent in all substances : heavy/light •
cold/hot • moist/dry • dull/sharp • stable/mobile
• soft/hard • non-slimy/slimy • smooth/coarse •
minute/gross • viscous/liquid.
19. Doshas: Vata
Vata: Cold, light, dry, irregular, rough, moving, quick,
changeable.
If Vata dosha predominates, movement and change are
characteristic of your nature. You will tend to always be
on the go, with an energetic and creative mind. As long
as Vata is in balance, you will be lively and enthusiastic,
with a lean body.
Physical Characteristics: Those with a predominance
of Vata dosha are usually have a thin, light frame and
excellent agility. Their energy comes in bursts, and they
are likely to experience sudden bouts of fatigue. Vatas
typically have dry skin and hair and cold hands and feet.
They sleep lightly and their digestion can be sensitive.
When the Vata dosha becomes imbalanced, it manifests
in the body as weight loss, constipation, hypertension,
arthritis, weakness, restlessness, and digestive
challenges.
20. Doshas: Vata
Emotional Characteristics: Vatas love
excitement and new experiences. They are quick
to anger but also to forgive. When Vatas are in
balance, they are energetic, creative, and flexible.
They also take initiative and are lively
conversationalists. When unbalanced, they are
prone to worry and anxiousness and often suffer
from insomnia. When they feel overwhelmed or
stressed, their response is, “What did I do wrong?”
22. • Practice at a slow,
smooth & steady
pace.
• Explore fluidity in your
poses.
• Focus on the
foundation of the pose
to create stability.
• Focus on lengthening
your inhalation.
• Stay connected to the
earth.
• Engage your entire
body by hugging your
muscles to the bones.
• Be present in your
practice.
• Stay warm.
• Conclude your
practice with a long
25. Doshas: Pitta
Pitta: Hot, light, intense, penetrating, pungent, sharp, acidic.
Those with a predominance of the Pitta principle have a fiery
nature that manifests in both body and mind.
If Pitta dosha predominates, Pittas are usually of medium size
and weight. They sometimes have bright red hair, but baldness
or thinning hair is also common in a Pitta. They have excellent
digestion, which sometimes leads them to believe they can eat
anything. They have a warm body temperature. They sleep
soundly for short periods of time and have a strong sex drive.
When in balance, Pittas have a lustrous complexion, perfect
digestion, abundant energy, and a strong appetite. When out of
balance, Pittas may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations,
peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, and indigestion
Physical Characteristics: Pittas are usually of medium size
and weight. They sometimes have bright red hair, but baldness
or thinning hair is also common in a Pitta.
26. Doshas: Pitta
They have excellent digestion, which sometimes leads
them to believe they can eat anything. They have a
warm body temperature They sleep soundly for short
periods of time and have a strong sex drive. When in
balance, Pittas have a lustrous complexion, perfect
digestion, abundant energy, and a strong appetite. When
out of balance, Pittas may suffer from skin rashes,
burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat,
heartburn, and indigestion
Emotional Characteristics: Pittas have a powerful
intellect and a strong ability to concentrate. When
they’re in balance, they are good decision makers,
teachers, and speakers. They are precise, sharp-witted,
direct, and often outspoken. Out-of-balance Pittas can
be short-tempered and argumentative. When Pittas are
overstressed, their typical response is “What did you do
wrong?”
28. • Have fun in your
poses.
• Enjoy movement in
your poses.
• Allow freedom and
creativity in your
practice. Change it up.
• Practice in a
moderately cool space.
• Focus on the yoga
experience in your
body, not your brain.
• Work at 80% effort.
• Avoid being
judgmental and critical
of yourself.
• Focus on your
exhalation.
• Practice plenty of
twists and side body
31. Doshas: Kapha
Kapha: Kapha governs the structure of the body. It is the
principle that holds the cells together and forms the muscle, fat,
bone, and sinew. The primary function of Kapha is protection.
Physical Characteristics: Kapha types have a strong build and
excellent stamina. Large, soft eyes; smooth, radiant skin; and
thick hair are also important Kapha characteristics. Those who
are predominantly Kapha sleep soundly and have regular
digestion. But when Kapha builds to excess, weight gain, fluid
retention, and allergies manifest in the body. When they’re out of
balance, Kapha types may become overweight, sleep
excessively, and suffer from asthma, diabetes, and depression.
32. Emotional Characteristics: Kaphas are naturally calm,
thoughtful, and loving. They have an inherent ability to enjoy
life and are comfortable with routine. When in balance,
Kaphas are strong, loyal, patient, steady, and supportive.
People with an excess of Kapha tend to hold on to things,
jobs, and relationships long after they are no longer
nourishing or necessary. Excess Kapha in the mind
manifests as resistance to change and stubbornness. In the
face of stress, the typical Kapha response is “I don’t want to
deal with it.”
34. • Practice at a vigorous
pace and intensity.
• Focus on expanding
the posture.
• Practice in a warm
space.
• Use a strong forceful
breath during practice.
• Keep your chest and
shoulders open and
lifted as you practice.
• Feel a sense of
lightness in your
poses.
• Challenge yourself.
Keep moving.
• Enjoy a restorative
pose for final
relaxation.
• Be precise in your