Namaste.

New York City now has the only authentic Ayurvedically-oriented yoga studio in the nation. Located in a serene space in the heart of the city at 375 Fifth Avenue 5th Floor (at 35th Street), The Yogâyurveda Shala offers both private instruction and intimate classes which never include more than 10 students. Our telephone number is (212) 685-8600.

The studio is co-directed by Scott Gerson, M.D., Ph.D. (Ayu) and his longtime devoted Yogayurveda Shala instructors.

In Ayurveda, yoga asanas and pranayamas are modified according to the specific mind-body constitution and needs of each student. The instruction here draws upon Dr. Gerson’s extensive training while attending the Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya where he was researching the use of yoga practices for medical detoxification as part of his Ph.D. in Ayurveda. What he discovered was that an almost lost tradition of Ayurvedically-oriented yoga practices had existed for many centuries.

Today, we can all take advantage of this ancient wisdom which is being offered unaltered at The Yogâyurveda Shala. Just as one’s diet and herbal supplements must be individualized, Yoga instruction too should be according to your specific body type.

Our Philosophy

Everything is energy. Everything and everyone has a unique individual constitutional vibration which can exist in perfect harmony with the universal cosmic vibration.

Yoga and Ayurveda are the ancient tools for identifying and removing physical and mental imbalances and impurities which create disharmony. These are sister sciences which a joined together and are as inseparable as the light from the sun.

For convenience we can describe the energetic fingerprint of an individual in terms of its trifold nature.

Vata

Vata at a Glance

• Vata is the driving force which creates movements of all kinds in Nature.
  
• Its main qualities are movement, quickness, lightness, dryness, and roughness.
  
• Vata manifests in the nerves and muscles and rapidly travels throughout the body.
  
• Its main home is the colon. When excessive its toxic forms are intestinal gas, constipation, anxiety, fear, fatigue, and pain.

Vata individuals usually have a relatively low body weight and percentage of body fat. They commonly have elongated and thin bones and loosely knit joints. This allows for easy stretching and bending of the limbs. In addition, Vata types have rather under-developed musculature and very responsive nervous systems. These features makes them emotionally impulsive and lacking in physical stamina but also endows them with great speed and flexibility. Even at younger ages, Vata people tend to be slightly dry which causes them to fatigue easily and promotes stiffness if they do not practice yoga asanas regularly.

A slow, non-vigorous asana practice which is closely coordinated with the breathing is the best for those of Vata constitution. The Vata practice should be evenly balanced on the left and right sides as well as the front and back. Sudden and abrupt changes of positions should be avoided.
The evolution of a Vata excess is that is normally first accumulates in the locus of Apana Vata which is in the colon. From there it spreads through the srotas (channels) to the muscle of the back, the bones of the spine, the heart, and the nervous system including the brain.

Vata types will benefit greatly from the gentle, soothing massaging actions on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones created by most of the asanas but particularly forward bends and twists. Also, the gentler forms of inverted and backbending asanas will effectively release excess sympathetic nervous energy and promote harmony with parasympathetic energy throughout the physiology.

Pitta

Pitta at a Glance

• Pitta is the energy of digestion, transformation, and perception.
  
• Its main qualities are heat, slightly oily, acidic, sharp, and penetrating.
  
• Pitta manifests in the digestive juices, enzymes, hormones, skin, eyes, and blood.
  
• Its main home is the small intestine. When excessive its toxic forms are gastric acid, diarrhea, inflammation, anger, and irritation.

Pitta individuals have an abundance of energy and moderately developed muscles. Their bones and frames are of average dimensions and they possess a good degree of flexibility and strength.
They have luminous complexions, warm extremities, and slightly oily skin. Generally, they are willing to attempt and persist at any asana and will be successful in all but the most ‘pretzel-like’ because of their limited suppleness (compared with Vata types).

Pitta types will thrive from an asana practice that engages their desire to achieve while at the same time cooling the head, the circulation, the heart, and creating as complete a relaxation as possible. Pittas will be very reliable and disciplined students once they grasp the order and results of the practice. They can become surprisingly obsessive and aggressive with their asanas and are known to sometimes push too hard. Without guidance they will tend to select asanas that they like or which challenge them and avoid those that are too calming—which is exactly what they need.

Forward bends and seated twists practiced in an effortless, non-competitive manner are an excellent way to disperse excess Pitta dosha. In addition, most floor postures decrease both Vata and Pitta dosha to some extent. Asanas which combine bending or twisting with reclining (i.e. Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee Pose) or Paschimottanasana (Full Forward Bend)) are especially beneficial and can be held for longer periods of time with normal breathing to both cool and release tension. Given time, Pitta types will be naturally attracted to a meditation practice.

Kapha

Kapha at a Glance

• Kapha is the cohesive and binding force which creates strength, structure, and tissue mass.
  
• Its main qualities are heavy, sticky, oily, slow, cold, stable, and cloudy.
  
• Kapha manifests in the intra- and extracellular fluids, blood plasma, lymph, and fluids which support and nourish the tissues.
  
• Its main home is the stomach. When excessive it creates mucous and stickiness which circulates through the lymph and plasma throughout the body. It creates resistance to movement, solidity, attachment, congestion, and weight.

Blessed with shorter and thicker bones, Kapha individuals are generally stocky and lack the suppleness that is required for certain asanas. They have poor circulation and suffer in damp and cold conditions. On the other hand they have a tremendous amount of strength and the most stamina of all the constitutional types. Left alone, they may lack precision in their practice and can lose their motivation in the middle of a class. Also, Kapha types may experience difficulty in coordinating the breath with the asanas unless given clear and firm instructions. They may not learn new movements very quickly, but once established will persist with their practice for very long periods of time.

Kapha types tend toward becoming overweight and accumulating secretions which can congest the muscles, joints, respiratory organs, and digestive system. They require a stimulating and energetic asana practice. They will benefit most from standing poses, backbends, all inverted postures, headstands, and handstands. Before incorporating the latter two, care must be taken to first strengthen the neck, shoulders, and arms if necessary. Forward bend poses and floor postures tend to increase the Kapha dosha and should make up proportionately less of the practice.

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