Tanja is very interested in Ayurveda and has developed different sequences according to the Doshas.
If you want to know about "Dosha Yoga" please feel free to contact her with any question
Here is an interesting link about yoga according to your Dosha.
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/yoga/
Yoga and Ayurveda, the book by David Frawley explains, that those are "two related spiritual and sacred sciences rooted in the Vedic tradition of India.
Ayurveda teaches that health is maintained by the balancing of three subtle energies known as Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Frawley says, “These three powers color and determine our conditions of growth and aging, health and disease. Dosha means a fault or a blemish and indicates the factors that bring about disease and decay.
Ayurveda teaches maintenance and protection of the whole person (mind, body and soul).
“An understanding of Ayurvedic constitutional types helps us adapt yoga practices according to individual requirements. The asanas, pranayama and meditation practices appropriate for one dosha type may not be useful for another.”
We have to adjust and personalize our yoga practice according to our dosha, so that we are able to balance ourselves. That way we are able to not only benefit our health but we are also able to actualize our entire human potential.
Aadil Palkhivala writes in his book “Fire of Love”, that a student who is predominantly kapha (lethargic, sluggish, overweight, loyal, stable, and loving) must generally practice more vigorously to balance their dosha.
A student that is primarily pitta (hot, angry, fiery, goal oriented, focused, high achiever) generally needs a more calming practice.
A student with overly vata condition (airy, unfocused, fickle, creative, exuberant, charismatic) need a grounding practice, a practice that brings them down to earth. Kapha, pitta and vata can all do the same Pose, warrior II in this case but each dosha needs to do the pose differently using breath, intention, and method. According to Palkhivala “…even though everyone appears to be doing the same poses at the same time, each student is working in his or her own way toward peace, toward wholeness, toward balance.”
Kapha:
Qualities of Kapha: Heavy, slow, steady, solid, cold, soft, and oily.
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 are out of balance, Kapha types may become overweight, sleep excessively, and suffer from asthma, diabetes, and depression.
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."
Key words for practice: stimulating, moving, warming, lightening, energizing, releasing.
Warrior 2 builds internal fire, opens up the chest and promotes clearing of congestion, and stimulates movement in the navel area and therefore reduces kapha.
Standing postures, such as Warrior 2 that opens the chest with arm extensions, either out to the sides or overhead are good for kapha. All standing postures are beneficial to kapha along with any pose that works the thighs and stomach area.
During Warrior II, breathe deeply, filling the body with prana with each inhalation. Release old holding patterns with each exhalation. The breathing needs to be faster for kapha. The intention during this pose needs to be to lift the energy of the pelvis upward, creating more fire in the body.
Kapha should not hold any pose for a long time but move quickly, except for standing poses. Kaphas do need to challenge themselves. Most of the standing poses are invigorating, especially if you hold them for a longer time. Try maintaining your asanas for up to 20 breaths.
Vata:
Qualities of Vata: Cold, light, dry, irregular, rough, moving, quick, and 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, hair, 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.
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?”
Key words for Practice: Calm, slow, steady, grounding, strengthening and consistent.
Standing poses like Virabhadrasana II (Warrior Pose II) build strength and stability.
Virabhadrasana II is grounding and stabilizing to vata. The student needs to “ground” the bones of the legs and have their feet rooted into the earth. Their intention has to be to create a downward movement, grounding into the earth to help reduce anxiety and stress.
Vatas need to hold this pose for a long time, while taking deep long breaths. They should practice slowly and deliberately. Vatas should also move very slowly in and out of warrior II, paying attention to the transition between poses performing them with conscious awareness rather than rushing on to the next pose.
Pitta:
Qualities of 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.
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. 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 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 are 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?”
Key words for practice: Cooling, relaxing, surrendering, forgiving, gentle, diffusive.
The pitta student’s intention should be to cool down the nervous system, doing the pose with a less powerful lift and a great sense of widening, spreading like water.
Pittas need to work briefly and vigorously to release the pent-up pitta energy, and then they need to hold other poses longer with an internal focus.
Pittas need to surrender into Warrior II. They need to relax but avoid overheating.
Pitta doshas benefit from cultivating a calm, relaxed attitude toward their practice, letting go of their competitive tendency. They need to resist the urge to compare themselves with others in the yoga class, and be gentle and patient with themselves.
Pittas should focus on their breaths while in Warrior II which will help calm their minds.
Resources:
The Chopra Center, http://www.chopra.com/articles/category/doshas/
Frawley David, Yoga & Ayurveda, Self-Healing and Self-Realization
Palkhivala, Aadil, Fire of Love, For Students of Life, For Teachers of Yoga
