Every couple of months I will explain some of the Yogic and Ayurvedic concepts behind the practices I teach. I will also share insights from the perspective of being an Occupational Therapy student. I’m one year in and have three more years of study to go!

There are two Sanskrit words that come to mind when I think of the similarities between Yoga and Occupational Therapy. The first is Svastha. Svastha is a state of being balanced and healthful. The second Sanskrit word is Kriya.  Kriyas are actions or specific yoga practices. The practice of Kriyas is to bring about a state of natural harmony within us: that is the state of Svastha.

Yoga Therapy draws upon a wide range of yoga practices and applies these practices according to the Yogic view of the body. These practices are specific. For example, they may be chosen for an effect on an individual’s doshic constitution (vata, pitta, kapha) or for a specific kosha layer such as Annamaya (the physical body) or they could be practiced to affect the direction of a specific Pancha Vayu (the five pranas – sometimes translated as breath energies).

Likewise, Occupational Therapy draws on a wide range of scientific, evidence-based practices (Kriyas) that help people to regain, maintain or improve their wellbeing (Svastha) through activities that are meaningful to them.

Both Yoga Therapy and Occupational Therapy can be utilised to optimise our immediate health & wellbeing needs as well as preventing further pain (Dukkha) or disease in the future.

 

The doshas – vata, pitta and kapha are a useful way of understanding our nature and habitual tendencies.  Each dosha corresponds to an element and can relate to systems or parts of the body. They are also affected by the environment we live in: think of the foods you eat, the intensity of the seasons where you live, the types of activity (or lack of!!) that you do.

Vata is the element of air (and of course relates to breathing).  Its qualities are dry, cold and light. It is associated with the sense of touch. Excess vata accumulates in the large colon often causing constipation. Vata also has a greater influence over pitta and kapha. Breathing practices in yoga (pranayama) help to stabilise and balance this quality.

Pitta is the elements of fire/water. Its qualities are hot, light and liquid. It is associated with the sense of sight.  Excess pitta accumulates in the liver and small intestine.

Kapha is the elements of water/earth. Its qualities are heavy, cold and liquid. It is associated with the sense of taste. Excess kapha accumulates in the stomach and lungs as mucus.
Our body is made up of all elements.  However, usually one or two elements or doshas are dominant.
Ayurvedically speaking, when doshas are out of balance they are the cause of disease.

Knowing your dosha helps you to recognise what state of balance (or imbalance) is occurring. Yoga is often used to therapeutically balance doshas. However, there are many simple ways to re-balance yourself. Below is a list of activities that help to balance your dominant dosha. It is likely that just reading this, that you already know what your dosha is. However, if you are unsure, there are plenty of descriptions and questionnaires available online to give you a general idea of what you may be.