Ysynergy works closely with prominent Ayurveda centers to bring you insights into the 5,000 years of Ayurvedic science.    

What is difference between Yoga and Ayurveda?

While Yoga and Ayurveda have evolved side by side as sister sciences, their original aims vary slightly.

Yoga has been primarily concerned with liberation of the spirit. In the case of Hatha Yoga, physical postures (asanas) are used as a way of keeping the body supple and healthy. In this way the practitioner can more readily practice meditation and other spiritual practices - without the distraction of physical aches and pains - leading to a greater likelihood of liberation and freedom (moksha).

Ayurveda is also concerned with the soul's freedom, but its primary focus is to maintain physical health in the body. With this aim, a philosophy has evolved, which includes the use of herbal medicine (including commonly used kitchen herbs), dietary advice, Yoga asanas, cleansing techniques and body treatments such as massage.

Yoga practitioners can benefit from having an awareness of Ayurveda. The Shakti Spirit Trainings and Retreats aim to educate participants about the foundations of both Yoga and Ayurveda - and how to attain the maximum benefits from both.

When we practice Ayurveda and Yoga fully, we become more in touch with ourselves, including our bodies, thoughts and feelings, and begin to feel more integrated. On a physical level we gain strength and flexibility.

Our bodies become more balanced and our natural healing ability is enhanced. If we are doing something that is putting us out of balance, we get the message sooner. Our internal organs are squeezed and massaged in a way that invigorates them with fresh blood and oxygen. We help the body to eliminate toxins through sweat, through the skin and through keeping the digestive system toned and healthy.

On a mental and emotional level we experience more alertness and a greater clarity of mind. It is not uncommon to feel more open and spontaneous. As we begin to see who we truly are, beyond past habits and conditioning, we have an opportunity to lead more authentic, creative and empowered lives.

20 hour Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist program

The curriculum of the Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist certification builds on previous knowledge of posture details acquired by yoga teachers in their yoga training and adds an understanding of the doshic system.

For certified yoga teachers, our seven-session Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist program offers training in

- Customizing yoga classes for balancing the doshas
- Teaching one-on-one yoga sessions designed for specific students
- Sanskrit, the language of yoga
- Yogic psychology, the power of the mind in creating balance and health
- How to use yoga, meditation, and pranayama to address imbalances
- Dinacharya, or daily practice routines, including herbal self-massage, for health and well-being.

Sessions include:

Anatomy and Physiology for Ayurveda

Part I: The biological humors or doshas, including their qualities, actions, and sites; the 20 attributes; subdoshas; seven tissues; seven nutritive membranes; and the malas.

Part II: Agni and its 13 forms; ama, the srotas, and organs; and an introduction to the concepts of etiology and pathology. Dinacharya Practical Ayurvedic principles, including daily routines, seasonal routines, and disease prevention, and yoga for everyday health, including lectures on nutrition for balancing the doshas. History and Philosophy of Ayurveda The historical connection to the Vedas, the ancient texts that form the basis of Ayurveda; the historical background of Ayurveda in India and how it evolved into modern schools; and the cosmology of Ayurveda and where it stands in relation to other schools of yogic thought.

Psychology from an Ayurvedic Perspective

The biological humors; the three gunas-prana, tejas, and ojas—as they relate to the mind; and an introduction to spiritual therapies, meditation, mantra, gems, color therapy, aromatherapy, and Jyotish astrology.

Sanskrit

Training in the Sanskrit language, including the alphabet, rules, grammar, and use of Sanskrit dictionaries; includes one weekend intensive in the basics of Sanskrit; and additional training specific to Sanskrit’s use in Ayurveda in subsequent sessions.

Yoga and Ayurveda

The doshas and how they relate to asana and pranayama practice.