Canyon Ranch (Massachusetts)

How does it fit? That's an important question whether deciding which jacket to buy - or which yoga class to take. In either situation, there are "off-the-rack" varieties, but there's nothing quite as luxurious as something specifically designed to fit you.

Ayurvedic yoga, related to Ayurveda, the traditional healing system of India, offers an approach to yoga that's tailor-made.

Ayurvedic yoga uses the same repertoire of postures as other types of yoga; however, the sequence of postures and the approach depends upon each practitioner's constitution, or dosha.

Ayurveda and its roots
First, a little about Ayurveda. This healing system is believed to be about 5,000 years old. The name comes from two Sanskrit words: "ayur," meaning life and "veda," meaning "knowing," - hence the usual translation, "science of long life." The primary focus of Ayurvedic medicine is to improve health and longevity, leaving the individual free to pursue spiritual matters.

Ayurveda is the oldest recorded intact healing system in the world, and it has influenced traditional healing systems around the globe. Although it is spiritually focused, the system also offers practical applications and benefits for all sorts of health issues.

Its primary methods for healing are natural: instead of relying on synthetic drugs for treatment of disease, ayurveda uses food, herbs, body treatments and lifestyle practices like yoga, relaxation and breathing exercises to cultivate health. Ayurveda is holistic, and ayurvedic yoga takes into account not only the student's state of body, mind and spirit, but the individual's exterior circumstances and surroundings. A person's age, the season of the year and even the time of day when she practices can be taken into account when designing an individualized ayurvedic yoga sequence.

What's your dosha?
When you embark on an Ayurvedic yoga journey, you are asked a series of questions to help determine your dosha, or doshas. (Most people have dominant traits of two of the three doshas.) The questions concern your physical attributes as well as your mental and emotional tendencies. These help identify whether you are predominantly vata, pitta or kapha, with the goal of balancing out any excess of one characteristic or another.

Vata
If you are a vata, you are often rushed. You are energetic and creative. However, you are also like a gust of wind that blows hard and then suddenly stops: You are high-strung and your energy is easily exhausted. Vata is cold in nature and benefits from warmth and comfort.

Pitta
Pitta is the most common constitution. Pittas are forward-moving, competitive and reactive. One of the main challenges for pittas is to learn to relax and not try to control things, since they tend to be very focused on achieving their goals. Pittas are hot by nature, and benefit from cooling, calming routines.

Kaphas
If you are a kapha, you have a strong, sturdy and well-developed body. You also have a strong immune system, and generally do everything without hurrying. However, you gain weight easily, and your digestion is slow. Kaphas benefit from warmth, stimulation and activity.

Yoga and doshas
Once your doshas have been determined, your yoga instructor will design a yoga routine for you. In general, here are some guidelines on how to approach your yoga practice, depending on your doshas:

Vatas and yoga
It's essential for you to slow down as you practice yoga and focus on the experience of the here and now. Slow, controlled breathing is important and you should hold bends longer and focus on grounding. Avoid repetitive, fast-moving sequences such as Sun Salutations. It is important for you to do yoga on a regular basis, daily if possible, and at the same time each day. Even though you don't like routine, this will have a calming effect on your life.

Pittas and yoga
If you're predominantly pitta, you tend to muscle your way through life, so you need to focus on slowing down and cutting down on the effort involved when you do yoga. Adequate shavasana (relaxation) is a must for a pitta person. This provides the time for pittas to use yoga for relaxation and to develop more inner awareness. Cooling postures such as forward bends and seated twists are especially beneficial.

Kaphas and yoga
If you are a kapha, you should begin your practice slowly and build gradually. Your goal is eventually to work up a sweat. An emphasis on backward bends and challenging poses such as Warrior and Awkward Pose will increase your circulation and metabolism.

Breathe and relax
By the way - don't forget to breathe and relax. This may sound elementary, but it's important to consciously focus on these two essential limbs of yoga: pranayama (breathing exercises) and shavasana (relaxation).

Pranayama involves becoming more mindful of the breath and learning to breathe more consciously. Most of us have little or no awareness of the way we breathe, but the breath is closely connected to our state of mind. When we are frightened, we tend to take rapid, shallow and irregular breaths; when we're relaxed we breathe more slowly and deeply. This connection works both ways: By breathing slowly and deeply, you can actually tell your brain and body that everything is okay. Slow, steady breathing relaxes the mind and brings brainwaves into an alpha-meditative state of mind that enables inner awareness.

Shavasana (dead body pose) concludes yoga practice and lasts for 10 to 20 minutes. It involves lying on the floor without moving and then consciously releasing every bit of tension from body and mind. It should never be skipped or rushed because it is the point of the practice. Ancient yogis didn't develop and practice asanas to develop awesome abs; yoga promotes a healthy, relaxed body in which the mind and spirit can be free. Yoga without shavasana is just exercise.

The path to health and serenity
Many people notice improvement in their mental and emotional state after just one ayurvedic yoga class. A regular ayurvedic yoga practice is also great for weight loss, strengthening the cardiovascular system and improving strength, balance and flexibility - in fact, it's a total fitness system for body, mind and spirit.

A still and quiet mind allows you to reflect upon your spirituality, enabling you to experience your natural being - which is already perfect. Ayurvedic yoga could be your pathway to this liberating understanding

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