AYURVEDA

As we age, we tend to sag in our abdomen, and the area becomes so lethargic that even our food does not digest well. This lethargy needs to be replaced with digestive fire. Just 3 minutes of Surya Namaskar every day, the simple traditional asanas that we do in class, and eating light and early dinners help us ignite the fire within and maintain our body weight.

Lethargy and dullness are traits of Tamasic nature. We must convert this into something more positive. Exhaling a bit more in our asanas helps us with it. When we use our breath in asana practice, we systematically open the muscles and nerves, and this is where you also start connecting to the deeper aspects of asana practice.

Any action needs fire, zest, and tapas. We must use the energy we create through our asana practice judiciously throughout the day to remain energetic and active.  Usually, we just exhaust it in our excitement within the first few hours.

The Bhagwat Gita mentions the importance of action. It says that the way we perform actions is very important. Our actions from the past should teach us, and we must move ahead with better actions. And if you doubt the present action, you lose good karma.

In Ayurveda, there is a mention of Sadhaka pitta; the fire generated through Sadhana is maintained and used to perform worthy actions.  To do any auspicious practice, you need a mind that has the ability to use this fire judiciously. Sadhana is all about how you maintain this fire. Sadhana is to maintain your body and the energy created so that you come back to the mat regularly to create this energy again.