The Connection Between Ayurveda and Yoga

The short answer is that Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences. A longer answer is that Ayurveda encompasses the triad of mind, body, and spirit and includes the Shad Darshan, or six ancient Indian philosophies. Yoga is within the six ancient Indian philosophies and is not only a physical practice but also balances the mind and spirit. As an Ayurvedic pracitioner, I share the tools that yoga offers in order to restore balance and I honor all eight limbs of yoga as described by Patanjali. Here in the West, classes give much attention to asanas, or the physical postures and often leave out the other aspects. While the physical practice of yoga is immensely beneficial, I would be remiss in leaving out pranayama (breathing practices) and meditation in educating clients on how to restore balance. Yogic practices can be used to aid in a range of bodily ailments such as irregular digestion or stimulating a sluggish thyroid but can also have a profound impact on stress and anxiety, which have a direct correlation to health. And because Yoga means union, deepening ones practice brings awareness to our connection to each other and to the god or gods of our understanding, strengthening our spirituality.