How to Design a Yoga Routine for Each Dosha

In Ayurveda, a dosha refers to a person’s three primary energies. The three types: vata, pitta, and kapha, have their own unique characteristics and traits. 

By aligning your yoga routine with your dosha, you can help bring balance to your body, mind, and emotions, according to Yoga Journal. Learn how you can design your yoga routine for your dosha so that you can reap the full benefits of a mindful practice.

Step 1: Determine your dosha
Before designing a yoga routine for your dosha, you must determine which dosha dominates your inner being. You can do this by looking at physical traits, mental traits like your thought process, decision-making style), and emotional traits. You can also take this dosha quiz to help.

Step 2: Design your routine
Once you have determined your dosha, you can design your yoga routine accordingly. Each Dosha has specific needs when it comes to its yoga practice. According to the self-growth website Chopra there are type  of postures suitable for each dosha:

Vata: Light, gentle, and nourishing postures benefit Vata types. Flow through grounding poses such as virabhadrasana II (warrior II) and vrikshasana (tree pose).

Pitta: Cooling and calming postures benefit pitta types. To balance pitta’s passionate energy, you can practice bhujangasana (cobra), dhanurasana (bow), and matsyasana (fish).

Kapha: Stimulating postures benefit kapha types. Try uttanasana (standing forward bend) and parsvottanasana (pyramid) to balance Kapha’s heavy energy.

When designing your yoga routine, remember to include postures from all categories: sun salutations, standing postures, seated postures, inversions, arm balances, backbends, forward bends, and restorative poses.

Step 3: Integrate music into your flow
When practicing yoga, music encourages flow. Chopra suggests integrating music into your practice to balance your doshas. Check out the types of music that complement each dosha flow:

Vata: Calming, ambient music can help balance vata’s light energy.

Pitta: Cooling music, such as classical or new-age, can help balance pitta’s passionate energy.

Kapha: Energizing music can help balance kapha’s heavy energy.

Step 4: Schedule and Practice
To establish a regular yoga practice for your dosha, plan for it into your daily schedule.When determining the frequency of your practice frequency, consider your lifestyle. However, the Skill Yoga blog suggests practicing three to four times per week. Try not to overcommit yourself to avoid feeling overwhelmed. As for the time of day to practice, try to find a time that works best for you.