Ayurvedic Yoga

A conversation about yoga between 👩🏽‍⚕️ (Dr. Poonam) and 🦍 (Scimmione).

👩🏽‍⚕️: Hello, Scimmione. They tell me you're curious about Ayurvedic Yoga?

🦍: Ooh ooh! Yes, Dr. Poonam! I see humans doing these funny poses all day, but I don't understand why they can't just swing from trees like me!

👩🏽‍⚕️: Ah, dear Scimmione, while swinging from trees might be perfect for monkeys, humans need different practices to maintain balance. Think of Yoga as a toolbox for taking care of your whole self - both your body and mind. It's like a combination of gentle exercise, stretching, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods that all work together. Imagine you're stretching like a cat when it wakes up - that's a bit like what yoga feels like!

🦍: Yes! My friend Lady Leopard does that every morning! I always think she would crack her back. I always pull her tail, as strong as I can, to help her out.

👩🏽‍⚕️: But it's more than just stretching. When you do yoga, you:

Move your body into different positions (called "poses" or "asanas") - some are as simple as standing tall, others might look like you're trying to imitate a tree or a peaceful warrior

Pay attention to your breathing - just like when you take deep breaths to calm down, yoga teaches you special ways to breathe that help you feel better.

Learn to relax and focus your mind - it's like giving your brain a mini-vacation from all its busy thoughts

🦍: Thoughts are not my problem. I have none most of the time.

👩🏽‍⚕️: Well, you too think. About bananas, for example. Yoga started thousands of years ago here in India

🦍: Really? I feel all Mystical now.

👩🏽‍⚕️: It's not just about mystical or religion. It's more like a practice that helps you:

- Feel more flexible and strong

- Stay calm when life gets stressful

- Sleep better

- Feel more connected to yourself

- Have better posture (no more slouching!)

The cool thing about yoga is that any Scimmione can do it - you don't need to be super flexible or strong. It's like learning to play an instrument - you start with the basic notes (or in this case, simple poses), and gradually learn more as you go along.

🦍: Good, since lately I did not move too much. 

👩🏽‍⚕️: Think of it this way: if your body and mind were a car, yoga would be like regular maintenance - it keeps everything running smoothly and helps prevent problems before they start.

The best part? Anyone can do yoga - you don't need to be super flexible or athletic. Whether you're 8 or 80, you can start with simple poses and gradually learn more complex ones. It's like learning to ride a bike - you start with training wheels and progress at your own pace.

Remember: yoga isn't about touching your toes; it's about what you learn on the way down! In Ayurveda, we recognize three fundamental energies called doshas.

🦍: Yes, you mentioned Doshas last time, but I remember nothing.

👩🏽‍⚕️: Think of doshas as different personalities in nature. We have Vata, which is like the wind; Pitta, which is like fire; and Kapha, which is like earth.

🦍: So which dosha am I, Dr. Poonam?

👩🏽‍⚕️: Well, with your quick movements and playful nature, you show a lot of Vata energy! For Vata types, we recommend grounding poses...

🦍: Grounding? But I love moving fast!

👩🏽‍⚕️: Yes, and that's exactly why you need balancing! Just as you wouldn't eat only bananas for every meal, we shouldn't practice only energizing poses. For Vata types, slow, gentle movements create stability.

🦍: What about the fire people - the Pittas?

👩🏽‍⚕️: Those with strong Pitta need cooling, calming practices. Imagine a peaceful lake rather than a blazing fire. They benefit from poses that promote relaxation.

🦍: [yawning] And the earth ones - Kapha?

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Kapha types need energizing practices! They're like a sleepy bear who needs to get moving. We encourage them to practice more vigorous sequences.

🦍: Oops! But Dr. Poonam, what about breathing? I'm very good at breathing while eating bananas!

👩🏽‍⚕️: Breathing, or pranayama, is crucial! Each pose becomes more powerful when combined with proper breathing. It's like... well, imagine how much better your banana tastes when you take time to smell it first.

🦍: Oh! That makes sense! So different poses and different breaths for different doshas?

👩🏽‍⚕️: Exactly! You're learning quickly, Scimmione. When we practice with awareness of our constitution - our natural tendencies - yoga becomes a powerful tool for health.

🦍: So that's why humans don't just swing from trees - they're trying to balance their doshas!

👩🏽‍⚕️: Now you understand! Every pose and breath in Ayurvedic yoga has a purpose - to bring us back to our natural state of balance.

🦍: Thank you, Dr. Poonam! Maybe I'll try some grounding poses... right after I finish pulling the tail of this very interesting leopard.

👩🏽‍⚕️: Remember, Scimmione, balance in all things - even tail pulling! That is a big cat,  if you irritate her too much, it might jump back at you…

🦍: Nah, I’m too cool for that.