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Amazing Ayurveda
Exercise Smarter, Not Harder
By Kelly Burgess
Working harder and getting fewer results? The problem may not be your age, energy level, metabolism, diet or exercise program. The answer may be to take a look at your "type" and take it a little easier – for better results.
Although that's a simplified take on the theory, you've just read the basic idea behind Ayurveda, a lifestyle approach that's more than 5,000 years old and gaining in popularity.
Ayurveda is an ancient system of preventive health care that was developed in India and literally means "knowledge of life." The idea behind Ayurveda is balance and moderation in every area of life, both of which strengthen the body's healing abilities.
Alex Reznick is the founder of Complete Body Personal Training in New York, N.Y., and a protege of Deepak Chopra. He explains that the main thing to understand about Ayurveda is that it's based upon the same principles as genetics. In other words, there is no "one-size-fits-all" diet or exercise program.
"Everything on this planet has five elements, and we all have a different amount of those elements within each of us," Reznick says. "When a person is born, they are given certain amounts of elements. When these elements are not in balance, that's when problems with health begin to arise."
Practitioners of Ayurveda believe that everything in the universe is made up of a combination of the five elements (Pancha Mahabhutas) Reznick talks about. It is your balance of these elements that determines your dosha. The five elements are
- Air (Vayu)
- Fire (Tejas)
- Water (Apa)
- Earth (Prithvi)
- Space (Akasha)
When these elements are in balance for your body type, you are healthy. When they are not, you may find you sleep poorly, gain weight and just don't feel right.
