to take account of the time of y e a r and the imbalan ces that are pr esen t in your physiology. If you’re one
of the lucky few who are relatively well balanced you’ll probably find you are naturally following some
of these practices already.
It is worth bearing in mind that maintaining good digestion and ensuring a clean, fully-functioning colon
are the key to physical health, mental well-being, spiritual harmony and the absence of ‘dis-ease’. Eating
the right foods to balance your body-type is the key to proper digestion. Different body-types require
very different foods but once you know your Ayurvedic body-type you can tailor the foods you eat on a
regular basis to help keep the mind and body functioning properly and operating in perfect balance. The
key is moderation and maintaining an adequate supply of the foods that are good for you and reducing
those that aren’t so good. Also, the secret of attaining your perfect weight isn’t necessarily totally
dependant on regulating the amount you eat or the number of calories you consume, but m o r e o f t e n t h e
choice of foods you eat, the times at which they are eaten and the manner in which they are eaten.
In chapter two we introduce you to the natural cycles of nature and describe methods that can be utilised
for to keep your physiology in alignment with these ever-changing patterns of energy. Although we can’t
see these energy cycles we can feel their varying ‘flavours’ as day turns to night or summer turns to
winter. We can also witness the unpleasant effects of falling out of alignment with these cycles but,
conversely, can also enjoy the pleasure of keeping in tune with the rhythm of these energy flows. The
exercise and yoga routines will keep the body supple and free of toxins, while the breathing exercises and
meditation will help balance the mind. A balanced mind creates calmness, health and vitality.
Lifestyle and behaviour play another key role in maintaining balance and harmony in your mind and body
and again different bo d y-types require slightly different approaches. However, the exercise and yoga
routines we’ve included in this book can be followed by just about anyone and will have a beneficial
effect on the health and wellbeing of everyone who is motivated to putting in a little practice each day.
You should consult your GP before undertaking any physical exercise if you have, or have had, any
medical problems or feel unwell or unfit. As yoga is very popular nowadays it should be relatively easy
to find a competent Yoga instructor in your local area who can advise you further and tailor your practice
to suit your level of health, suppleness and fitness. However, always remember that yoga is not about
pushing, straining and contorting the body un-naturally – each posture should be eased into slowly,
gracefully and gently, leaving the body feeling refreshed and invigorated – not worn out and aching. The
adage, ‘no pain, no gain’ has no place in the Ayurvedic Yoga system.
Following our instructions for balancing the breath (pranayama) and settling the mind (meditation) are
powerful ways to begin to experience profound levels of inner peace and harmony in a very short space of
time. These techniques are now widely accepted as scientifically valid ways to improve health and reduce
stress on a deep psychological level. Many large corporations, especially in the USA and Japan, have
trained their key staff in these skills to help them cope with the ever-increasing pressures of the modern-
day work environment whilst also improving their competitive edge and resourcefulness. Of course t h e r e
are side-effects – reduced weight, stronger digestion, increased immunity and a peaceful, relaxed mind.
In chapter three we introduce the concept of ‘the detox’. From an Ayurvedic standpoint the digestive
tract is often the primary source of illness and keeping it balanced and fully-functioning is of utmost
importance. Eating the right foods for your body-type with reference to the seasons is the first place to
start. However, especially in the west and especially in today’s fast-paced society, getting adequate
nutrition at the right time of day and in the right environment can be very difficult. To compound this,
the food we eat is often refined, processed and lacking in the essential nutrients we need to maintain, let
alone improve, our bodies. A ‘detox’ is designed to gently remove impurities from the body in a way that
works in harmony with it. Detoxing should be an enjoyable experience that should leave the body feeling
light, vibrant and full of energy –‘no pain, no gain’ has no part in Ayurveda. Struggle, strain and