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Yoga for your Type: An Ayurvedic Approach to Your Asana Practice
This is the first book that details how to choose Yoga asanas most appropriate for your unique body type according to the five thousand year old system of Ayurvedic medicine.
275 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
36 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
David Frawley
141 books311 followersDavid Frawley (or Vāmadeva Śāstrī वामदेव शास्त्री), b. 1950, is an American Hindu teacher (acharya) and author, who has written more than thirty books on topics such as the Vedas, Hinduism, Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology, published both in India and in the United States. He is the founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which offers educational information on Yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology. He works closely with the magazine Hinduism Today, where he is a frequent contributor.[1] He is associated with a number of Vedic organizations in several countries. He is a Vedic teacher (Vedacharya), Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), and a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 6, 2012
Ever wonder why some Yoga poses feel great and others make you feel weird or nervous? This book will have the answers. If you're into Ayurveda, have explored Yoga and are trying to find the connection between the two, this book is great. It shows Yoga poses and how they work with your Ayurvedic dosha.
I also like the large photos and simply explanations on how to do each pose correctly. This book was the missing link for me and made Yoga more enjoyable because I it gave me greater understanding of how it works with my body.
I also like the large photos and simply explanations on how to do each pose correctly. This book was the missing link for me and made Yoga more enjoyable because I it gave me greater understanding of how it works with my body.
December 28, 2007
Full of self-assessments and tangible information. Part magic 8-ball in that certain asanas are enjoyed by some and detested by others depending on their doshic-type and in my experience, it's pretty accurate. Easy to comprehend information about the doshas and what influence they have in one's life. We used this book in my yoga teacher training and it was a lot of fun to have in the curriculum.
March 25, 2012
not a fancy & slick yoga book, but full of excellent, clear, unharmful information and good photos (b & w). it is extremely useful if you have a basic understanding of your ayurvedic temperment, and, if you don't, will help you to learn this crucial study of self-care.
so many yoga students are injuring themselves by doing poses that are not appropriate for their bodies/doshas...this book will assist you in learning what's appropriate for your mind and body.
for example, if you're feeling nervous and have flighty energy, or computer-brain/monkey mind, you would not want to do a post that increases vata (air qualities), but rather one that reduces it.
so many yoga students are injuring themselves by doing poses that are not appropriate for their bodies/doshas...this book will assist you in learning what's appropriate for your mind and body.
for example, if you're feeling nervous and have flighty energy, or computer-brain/monkey mind, you would not want to do a post that increases vata (air qualities), but rather one that reduces it.
April 22, 2016
LOVE this book, particularly the break down and instructions of each pose. Don't know that I will use it for Ayurveda purposes; however, I will use it often in regular yoga classes. Great variations and helpful tips on standard poses. The precautions are good reminders. Illustrations excellent.
August 1, 2009
a must read for anyone practing any form of asana (yoga)
February 4, 2017
...great way to dig deeper into the self.
August 10, 2017
A clear concise explanation of utilizing this approach in your life.
January 11, 2020
I think it really work for my health.
March 5, 2020
I like this book on yoga a lot!
July 18, 2020
I haven't read this cover to cover but I return to it over and over.
January 20, 2017
Easy read.
BKS Iyengar once said it can take 10 years to learn the Triangle Pose, Trikonasana, correctly. There is plenty of time. Yoga is of the ages, not a temporary fad.
Guidelines for Effective, Safe Practice
- Eliminate striving; remove the pressure that pushes you
- Do less - be more
- Time goes into the preparation of the pose. There is no hurry
- Do not overpower the body
- Mistakes, repeated, are paid for - often repeatedly
- Stay fresh and observe yourself without judgment
- Let go of roles, categories and labels. Let go into the moment. Use the mirror of Yoga to see yourself and work in the unknown
- Your focus determines your behavior, which produces your results. To change the results, change your focus.
Ayurvedic rule in treatment - Treat Vata like a flower, Pitta like a friend, and Kapha like an enemy. Vata types are sensitive like a flower that easily wilts. They have much initial enthusiasm, and get easily frustrated and give up. They need special attention, care and encouragement. They require a gentle, warm and soothing practice, mindful of their sensitivity and volatility.
Pittas need the companionship and guidance of friends. They like to work as part of a team. They do best with a practice that is engaging and challenging, but ultimately relaxing, diffusing, and relaxing -- letting go after significant effort.
Kaphas need strong motivation, if not criticism, to put forth their best efforts. They do best with a practice that pushes them beyond what they think are their limits. Yet while Kaphas require more discipline to get their bodies moving, it needs to be increased consistently day-by-day.
Yoga is a discipline. It is a personal experience, not competitive either with others or yourself. Suspend judgment and remain in the present.
Rest when you need to, work when you can. Yoga should strengthen your energy, not deplete it.
For flu, forward bends help; easy chest openers and exercising the lungs
Asanas that reduce Kapha promote elimination of mucus from the upper body.
Asanas that reduce Pitta reduce heat, inflammation and infection in the mid-abdomen.
Asanas that reduce Vata counter dryness, agitation and debility in the lower abdomen.
Young people need more reduction therapy because they tend toward excess or heat; older people need more tonification therapy.
Asana practice that is quick, strong or forceful will be reducing. That which is slow and consolidating is tonifying.
BKS Iyengar once said it can take 10 years to learn the Triangle Pose, Trikonasana, correctly. There is plenty of time. Yoga is of the ages, not a temporary fad.
Guidelines for Effective, Safe Practice
- Eliminate striving; remove the pressure that pushes you
- Do less - be more
- Time goes into the preparation of the pose. There is no hurry
- Do not overpower the body
- Mistakes, repeated, are paid for - often repeatedly
- Stay fresh and observe yourself without judgment
- Let go of roles, categories and labels. Let go into the moment. Use the mirror of Yoga to see yourself and work in the unknown
- Your focus determines your behavior, which produces your results. To change the results, change your focus.
Ayurvedic rule in treatment - Treat Vata like a flower, Pitta like a friend, and Kapha like an enemy. Vata types are sensitive like a flower that easily wilts. They have much initial enthusiasm, and get easily frustrated and give up. They need special attention, care and encouragement. They require a gentle, warm and soothing practice, mindful of their sensitivity and volatility.
Pittas need the companionship and guidance of friends. They like to work as part of a team. They do best with a practice that is engaging and challenging, but ultimately relaxing, diffusing, and relaxing -- letting go after significant effort.
Kaphas need strong motivation, if not criticism, to put forth their best efforts. They do best with a practice that pushes them beyond what they think are their limits. Yet while Kaphas require more discipline to get their bodies moving, it needs to be increased consistently day-by-day.
Yoga is a discipline. It is a personal experience, not competitive either with others or yourself. Suspend judgment and remain in the present.
Rest when you need to, work when you can. Yoga should strengthen your energy, not deplete it.
For flu, forward bends help; easy chest openers and exercising the lungs
Asanas that reduce Kapha promote elimination of mucus from the upper body.
Asanas that reduce Pitta reduce heat, inflammation and infection in the mid-abdomen.
Asanas that reduce Vata counter dryness, agitation and debility in the lower abdomen.
Young people need more reduction therapy because they tend toward excess or heat; older people need more tonification therapy.
Asana practice that is quick, strong or forceful will be reducing. That which is slow and consolidating is tonifying.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews