*The content provided is purely educational in nature about Ayurveda and home yoga practices and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or take the place of advice from your primary health care provider.
The six therapeutic movement classes are inspired by the six therapeutic actions (Shat Upakrama) of Ayurveda (brmhana, langhana, snehana, rukshana, svedana, stambhana) which represent the nourishing, lightening, lubricating, drying, sweating and astringent Ayurvedic treatment plans.
Ayurveda recognises that the Dosha are the three systems of the body that become faulty and that combinations of these dosha can also be at fault (or even all three).
THE ANTI-AGING PRACTICE
The anti-aging practice is a practice that helps to look into the condition of Vata Vrddhi (or excess Vata dosha). It is called an Anti-Aging Practice because Vata dosha always increases in our bodies as we age AND because any premature aging in certain areas of the body can be defined by a Vata increase in that area.
You can choose an Anti-Aging practice when you are noticing that you are suffering from abdominal bloating, distension, gas/wind, grumbling/rumbling in the belly and/or constipation (dry colon). The previous may often come along with the feeling of a stiff low back (not the same as a muscle spasm causing a bad back) and stiff joints. You can also choose this class if you feel any of the previous symptoms and fatigue.
The ideal time of year to practice even more of the anti-aging practice is in the Early and Late Winter (particularly Late Winter) as the rough and cold qualities of the Season accumulate. The Anti-Aging practice can also be used in the Autumn to counteract the cold dry qualities of this time of year (adding in the Digestive Support practices in both Winter and Autumn can also be very helpful).
THE AKALISING PRACTICE
The alkalising practice is a practice that helps to look into the condition of Pitta Vrddhi (or excess Pitta dosha). It is called an Alkalising Practice because it is designed to anti-dote the Pitta dosha increase which brings on pressure, heat and acidity.
You can choose an Alkalising practice when you are noticing that you are suffering from heat and acidity and/or acid reflux and/or irritability. Also, if you are experiencing more thirst, body-heat and anger than usual. This practice can also be used to ease inflammatory issues.
The ideal time of year to practice even more of the alkalising practice is in the Summer to reign in the tendency of the building heat of the Summer days to over-heat the body causing inflammatory symptoms and, eventually, dryness and Vata dosha increase (vata vrddhi). The Anti-Aging practice can also be helpful in the Summer months.
THE DECONGESTING PRACTICE
The decongesting practice is a practice that helps to look into the condition of Kapha Vrddhi (or excess Kapha dosha). It is called a Decongesting Practice because Kapha dosha first accumulates within the chest giving easily recognised symptoms of congestion.
You can choose a Decongesting practice when you are noticing that you are suffering from indigestion along with congestion in the head/sinuses/nose/throat/chest, a feeling of heaviness (in body and mind) and lassitude/laziness and, along with the above symptoms, there is a mild feeling of nausea that is unexplained by other conditions.
The ideal time of year to practice even more of the Decongesting Practice is in the Spring as the heavy, cold, wet properties of Kapha accumulated over the Winter 'melt' and are eliminated giving rise to congestive symptoms. The traditional, Spring cleanse of both body and mind mirrors the body's natural attempts to purge these Winter excesses.
THE DE-STRESS PRACTICE
The De-Stress practice is a practice that helps to look into the condition of Kapha Ksaya (or decreased Kapha dosha). It is called De-Stress because when Kapha dosha decreases to a problematic amount it causes increase of VataPitta Dosha bringing with it typical symptoms of stress (sometimes called Dry-Heat).
You can choose a De-Stress practice when you are noticing traditionally recognised symptoms of stress and stress related conditions such as feeling overwhelmed (particularly via the five senses - want to be somewhere quiet, still, no bright lights or battling with cold/excess heat etc), feeling weak, brain-fog, panicky feelings or experiences, exhaustion/always tired and other symptoms such as poor digestion, IBS, unexplained dry mouth and cough.
The ideal time of year to practice even more of the De-Stress practice is during the Autumn months as the accumulated heat of the previous Summer months (that is naturally trying to find a release) and the cold, dry qualities of the Autumn Season give rise to both Vata and Pitta excess.
THE DIGESTIVE SUPPORT PRACTICE
The Digestive Support practice is a practice that helps to look into the condition of Pitta Ksaya (or decreased Pitta dosha). It is called Digestive Support because when Pitta dosha decreases to a problematic amount it causes increase of VataKapha Dosha bringing with it typical symptoms of Ama (symptoms of digestive weakness and blockage)
You can choose a Digestive Support practice when you are noticing symptoms of indigestion such as weak digestion, indigestion, appetite changes along with un-refreshing sleep (still tired when wake even though slept through night), lethargy, feeling of loss of strength, brain-fog, forgetfulness and feeling cold all the time for no explained reason and/or your skin has lost it's lustre and glow.
You can practice the Digestive Support practice any time of year there are digestive weakness symptoms occurring. Amapachana is a digestive support remedy that is often given before other treatments. The Digestive Support practice, like Amapachana, can be done before other therapeutic classes or, alternatively, in conjunction with them to provide even more benefits.
THE ANTI-DOLDRUMS PRACTICE
The Anti-Doldrums practice is a practice that helps to look into the condition of Vata Ksaya (or decreased Vata dosha). It is called Anti-Doldrums because when Vata dosha decreases to a problematic amount it causes increase of PittaKapha Dosha bringing with it typical symptoms of low mood and lack of enthusiasm and motivation.
You can choose an Anti-Doldrums practice when you are noticing a low interest and intellect for things that used to stimulate and interest you, slow activity of body and mind (even finding it tiring to talk), feeling blocked at moving forward, noticing a loss of relish over once loved meals when eating and loss of power of digestion.
The ideal time of year to practice even more of the Anti-Doldrums practice is in between Early and Late Winter when the Kapha has accumulated and the ongoing dry-cold has aggravated Vata.
All of the 'daily dose 20 minute practice' therapeutic movement videos can be found on https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fiveelementfitness
The information given regarding each practice is a short introduction to using movement in a therapeutic setting. If you would like to start using the 6 therapeutic practices via assessment of your prakrti/vkrti (body-type and symptoms), please email me for availability for a consultation welchsonia3@gmail.com.