Tool Box

Doshas

To maintain body element harmony, grasp your dosha and predominant element.

Doshas are not hidden, but must be observed.

They ensure the cohesion of elements for optimal body function. These forces uphold homeostasis.

VATA, the wind element, is cold, dry, and light, governing movement, the nervous system, and waste elimination.

PITTA, the fire element, is hot, wet, and metabolic, controlling digestion and metabolism.

KAPHA, the water element, is cold, wet, and heavy, preserving stability, structure, and moisture in body and mind.

Understanding your Ayurveda constitution empowers you to balance doshas through suitable diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices.

Koshas

The koshas, or sheaths, comprise five distinct layers surrounding the soul, which can be explored and connected with through yoga practices.

These layers are as follows:

1. Annamaya Kosha (physical sheath): Represents the physical body, including skin, organs, and material aspects. Balancing this sheath is best achieved through physical yoga poses (asanas).

2. Pranamaya Kosha (life force sheath): The energy body where subtle elements like nadis and chakras play a significant role. To balance this sheath, pranayama techniques (breathing exercises) are most effective.

3. Manomaya Kosha (mental sheath): Associated with the mind, encompassing thoughts, perceptions, and emotions. Balancing this sheath is achieved through practices like mantra chanting, affirmations, and meditation.

4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (wisdom sheath): A deeper layer of consciousness often linked to intuition and awareness. This sheath can be balanced through meditation and creativity.

5. Anandamaya Kosha (bliss sheath): The deepest layer, representing the innate blissful state we are born into. Accessing this sheath is more challenging but can be achieved through prayer, meditation, and surrender to a higher power.

Yoga practices aim to uncover these layers of the self and reveal the bliss sheath, which reflects the true essence of the soul. This subtle body map helps us identify imbalances within ourselves and address these issues within the corresponding layer or sheath of our being.

Asana

Our mind swings between past and future, from regret and anger to anxiety and fear, and from happiness to sorrow. Yoga asana helps us find balance.

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In Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, "sthira sukham asanam" emphasizes the balance of effort and ease in yoga asana. We put in effort to attain a posture and then relax, reflecting the broader balance it brings to life. It teaches us to act and then detach from the outcomes.

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Yoga involves breath and mindfulness. As we raise our hands during yoga, we first become aware of our arms, synchronizing with our breath.

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Patanjali's wisdom states that through giving effort and letting go, we expand our awareness, allowing infinity to dawn within us.

Pranayama
Breath Techniques

Pranayama, a set of breathing exercises, focuses on purifying, enhancing mental clarity, and promoting healing. It combines "prana" (life force energy) and "yama" (control or mastery) to manipulate the quantity, quality, flow, and direction of vital energy in the body. In simple terms, pranayama is often called "breath control."

Types of pranayama techniques include:

1. Dirga

2. Ujjayi

3. Sama Vritti

4. Nadi Sodana

5. Kapalabhyi

6. Shitali

Benefits of pranayama include stress and anxiety relief, improved sleep, enhanced relaxation, lower blood pressure, stronger lungs, better executive functions, addiction management, increased energy, improved immunity, and assistance in managing PTSD symptoms.

Philosophy/Education

"Philosophy" derives from "love of wisdom" and involves the pursuit of fundamental truths about existence, self, the world, and human relationships. It encompasses disciplines like metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and history.

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"Pedagogy" focuses on how knowledge and skills are conveyed in educational settings, exploring the dynamics of learning.

There are five pedagogical approaches:

1. Constructivist

2. Collaborative

3. Reflective,

4. Integrative

5. inquiry-based

By combining philosophy and pedagogy, you can enhance your understanding and apply your principles in practice.

Meditation

Meditation is like a mental workout, promoting relaxation, focus, and awareness. It's akin to physical exercise for the mind. It employs various techniques to heighten awareness and concentration, such as mindfulness, focusing on thoughts, objects, or activities. Meditation comes in diverse forms.

Our consciousness is often compared to a flowing stream, continuously changing as it moves through life's landscape. Meditation is a deliberate way to redirect this stream, altering how you perceive and react to the world. It cultivates mental calmness and introspection.

As Buddha said, "What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind."

Types of meditation include:

1. Yoga Nidra

2. Prana Nidra

3. Guided Meditation

4. Mantras

5. Chanting

6. Metta Meditation

7. Vipassana Meditation