Ayurveda and Exercise : Part 1 : Basics

 

In this series, we will try to understand importance of exercise as per Ayurveda texts.

Why exercise?

• Lightness of the body
• कर्मसामर्थ्यं – perfection in daily chores and duties
• दिप्थोग्नि – Digestive fire is improved
• Imbalance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha is reduced
• Firmness of mind and sturdiness of body

Who should not do exercise?

वातपित्तामयी बालो वृद्धो अजीर्णे च तं त्यजेत् ॥

Those who have Vata and Pitta predominant body constitution, who are too young or too old, and those suffering from indigestion  – they better avoid or do less of exercises.

Unfortunately, we are never taught to identify self prakriti. Nor we have expert Ayurvedacharya accessible to help. So mindless exercise goes on for petty benefits i.e. muscles and show-off.

This is also the reason why so many professional players retire too early. Too much exercise and too early to start in age.

Up to age 12, I would not force any child to get engaged in rigorous exercise. Yes, initiation and introduction is fine but not any force!

अर्धशक्त्या निषेव्यस्तु बलिभिः स्निग्धभोजिभिः ।

शीतकाले वसन्ते च मन्दमेव ततो अन्यथा । 

Who can do exercise?

• Those who have desi cow ghee/coldpressed oil is accessible

Modern Gym goers instead focus on protein powder. Utterly nonsensical as long as purpose of exercise is concerned.

Ideal season for rigorous exercise?

• Winter and Spring
• In rest of the season, do limited exercise. Preferably stretching only.

How long one should exercise?

Every one has different capacity. Identify your half-capacity. For how long you can sustain without difficulty in breathing. Find out and set the duration. Consider season while fixing duration for exercise.Till one is having heavy breathing with sweating from forehead, arms and thighs. till that time, it is advised to do exercise.

More on it in next part.