By now, everyone knows meditation is one of the greatest practices for wellness and personal growth.
You’ve surely seen the studies on how it decreases stress, calms you down, and boosts mental clarity.
But it now appears we may just be scratching the surface of what meditation can do for us – and the ancient science of Ayurveda holds the key to unlocking its full potential.
Let’s start with the science:
Modern science has found that meditation – when practiced correctly and consistently – can actually physically change your DNA.
In a study published in the Canadian scientific journal Cancer, the use of mindfulness meditation was shown to have a major impact on certain types of DNA in breast cancer patients.
Specifically, it was the length of telomeres, which are tiny protective caps on the end of chromosomes, which were physically altered as the result of mindful meditation.
Shorter telomeres tend to correlate with ailments like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
So, if we can manage to keep these microscopic structures from shrinking, our overall health is better off.
One of the key concepts in the ancient science of Ayurveda is that of the Doshas: everyone has a dominant Dosha – Vata, Pitta, or Kapha – that corresponds with the elements found in nature.
Your Dosha shapes your personal characteristics and behavior. It outlines your unique needs for healing and wellness. In short, it reveals the truth about you.
And according to Ayurveda, your Dosha also determines how you should meditate for the best possible results – including the aforementioned DNA upgrades!
Here are the ways Ayurveda advises you to approach meditation, depending on your Dosha (and if you don’t know your Dosha yet, go here to take our free Dosha quiz).
Vata is airy, creative and imaginative. It means thoughts can come and go easily, and the mind can be easily distracted. Body stillness can be hard.
As a Vata, try affirmations that ground you as you steady your mind – such as “I am focused.”
It is also helpful to focus on an anchor, such as hand mudras and the breath. Follow each breath in and out of the body, and count your breaths using a gentle tap of the thumb to each finger.
Remember, quieting your mind may take some time, but the peace and centered, grounded state you get from it, will be more than worth it.
Pittas are fidgety and full of fire, and may struggle with stillness despite being driven to achieve the proper meditation technique.
Taming your full Pitta energy will be important, so keeping a goal in mind may be helpful. Try reminding yourself of the benefits of meditation, and how your memory and productivity will improve by achieving your state of deepest calm.
Japa meditations or the repetition of specific mantras should help, as well as Pranayama for focusing the energy within the body.
Try deep full bodied breaths into your lungs and stomach, and like the Vata, following the breath in and out of the body. Remind yourself to meditate daily for a set amount of time to fully reap the benefits.
As a Kapha, you’ll likely take to meditation most easily, since you are already naturally grounded. Just be warned: falling asleep may also be just as easy as achieving stillness!
A great way to stay alert is through walking mindfulness meditations, or chanting out loud during meditation.
As with other Doshas, it’s important for you as a Kapha to remember to stay consistent with your daily meditation practice.
Your daily moments of focus will help stimulate your mind, which is often a great gift for Kaphas.
Winter is a wonderful time to start focusing on your meditation practice. If we follow the path of nature, the colder months allow us to go inward, just as bears hibernate, or trees shed leaves and wait for new growth in the spring.
And now that you know how to best meditate according to your Dosha, you too can start reaping the full rewards of this timeless practice.
Happy meditating, and may your telomeres be forever long.
Dr. Puja Shah is an award-winning author whose 93 year old grandmother swore by Ayurvedic remedies and practiced yoga into her last days. And so while her education includes 9 years of medical training as a dentist, 3 teaching qualifications in yoga, and dozens of courses in meditation, it’s no wonder that she always goes back to Ayurveda. Puja harnesses Ayurveda regularly with her children and husband Amish Shah, Founder of The Natural Law.
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