Ayurveda and modern medicine both know that sport is important for health. Exercise not only prevents illness, but also helps us to remain calm during stressful phases. It therefore makes sense to not just do sport sporadically, but to integrate it firmly into our lives. This is best achieved with a sport that really suits you and your constitution. But what is best suited to Vata, Pitta and Kapha? We want to get to the bottom of this question here.
Lots of exercise for the Vata type
Vata constitutions can be compared to an agile racehorse: fast, agile and energetic. However, this type tires relatively quickly and is prone to injury. Due to its affinity to space (ether) and air, forms of movement with music are particularly interesting: dancing alone, in pairs or in a group is particularly good for Vata.
Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong and yoga ground Vata. Ball sports and similar sports such as tennis or badminton are also suitable. In sports such as soccer and the like, this type must be particularly careful not to injure itself. Vata loves the community, individual sports are not his thing and are quickly abandoned. He also loves change, so Vata should not be limited to one type of sport. Rather, he should give himself permission to change from time to time and explore new areas.
For grounding and discipline, I also recommend that Vata does some form of strength training / muscle training on a permanent basis. On the one hand, it builds up substance that it can draw on in old age. (Vata increases in old age!) On the other hand, it trains its unsteady mind in impulse control, which is important for mental health.
Sport for the Pitta constitution
Pitta has the speed of Vata and the stamina of Kapha and this gives it the potential for excellent athletic performance. Pitta likes individual sports, e.g. climbing, bouldering, skiing, parachuting. He likes to challenge himself and unfortunately always overtaxes himself. He loves competition and - when in balance - is a good leader.
Pitta benefits from team sports because he has to learn to pass the ball, work together and share successes with others. Pitta likes to overextend itself and quickly loses interest if, for example, there is no success in a competition or the odds are not good enough. He also likes to push himself to his limits in yoga. The right balance is also needed here.
The right training for Kapha
Kapha usually blossoms late in life. It is naturally more relaxed, calm and collected than the other types. It needs motivation and support. The greatest reward for the Kapha type usually has less to do with winning than with playing itself.
Strength training is particularly suitable for Kaphas because it helps them to positively influence the ratio of lean mass to body fat and keep it stable. Otherwise, gentle forms of endurance training with little strain on the joints are beneficial (cycling, gentle walking, swimming, aqua fitness). If he enjoys going to classes with others, he should pay particular attention to proper technique in fast, dynamic dance classes, otherwise there is a risk of injury (knees/back).
Endurance sports to combat stress
Thefollowing applies to all constitutions: disturbances always have priority, i.e. a training program should always take the current situation(Vikriti) into account. An experienced trainer accompanies the client so that they gradually come closer and closer to their true constitution(Prakriti) and find the optimal training in the medium to long term. It is therefore possible that the training recommendations may change in the first few months.
In our modern society, all constitutions are exposed to two major dangers: sitting and stress. Both increase Vata. Since many people suffer from a Vata disorder, moderate basic endurance training in whatever form is strongly recommended for all constitutions.
Endurance training reduces stress hormones and at the same time improves both the metabolism and the cardiovascular system. It makes almost no difference what you do: a brisk walk, walking, jogging or swimming.
Article by Win Silvester
