Enhancing Athletic Performance with Ayurveda

A New Take on Performance

Performance, we could argue, is in fact life itself. At some level, we're always performing—whether as a pro athlete trying to make a game winning shot before the buzzer, or as a loving parent balancing precariously on a step ladder to pull down a storage bin. Not to mention singing your favorite song in the shower, although I'm not entirely sure that qualifies as athletic.

As human beings, we conduct a myriad of tasks every day that require a symphony of movements to be properly harmonized using the exquisite equipment of our mind and body.

These movements are no more crucial or less scrutinized than in the field of professional sports.

I've had the pleasure of consulting with professional athletes for over a decade, and the principles of Ayurveda continue to prove to be powerful in the way they affect the mind and body, regardless of the person I'm helping or their level of prowess.

Although there are many deep levels of understanding covered in this beautiful science, here are some of the broader insights about vata, pitta, and kapha, the three main qualities of energy (doshas) we distinguish in Ayurveda that I hope will help enhance your inner athlete, regardless of your level of proficiency.

 

Vata and Movement

Vata is predominantly made up of air and is known as the king dosha.

Vata governs all movement—clearly a major factor in any athletic endeavor.

When out of balance, vata can cause havoc and turn a world-class athlete into a quivering mess. Having a strong influence on the central nervous system, excess vata can physically throw off timing and mentally create anxiousness and the all too common monkey mind.

We've all seen talented athletes “choke” just at that moment of truth. Although the root cause of this usually lies in deeper subconscious belief structures, vata's distracting vacillations in the mind can nonetheless take an athlete from being in the zone to being a zombie. If I had a buck for every time I've heard an athlete say, “If I could only get out of my own way...” Well, you get the point.

So what do they mean? What athletes (and anyone for that matter) are referring to is mainly getting out of the way of the negative dialogue (NOISE!) in their head that interrupts and often sabotages performance. The incessant diatribe of “don't miss,” “don't mess this up,” “what will they think of me,” “what happens if … (fill in the negative outcome),” and so on. Although this is all an intrinsic part of the human ego, when vata is out of whack, all this mental chatter gets exacerbated.

So the number one place to start enhancing your performance is to bring down vata so you can stay calm, focused, and most importantly PRESENT.

Signs That Your Athletic Performance Is Affected by Vata

• You're thinking about the results too much (getting ahead of yourself).
• Your timing is off, or everything seems to be moving quickly.
• You feel nervous or anxious, you feel dizzy or light-headed.
• You've lost consistency.
• You're experiencing degenerative issues—aches and pains, loss of strength, stability, and stamina.

Things That Increase Vata

• Lack of sleep
• Irregularity in meal, sleep, or training times and so forth
• Dehydration
• Stimulants (for example, caffeine)
• Dry/cold foods (like crackers or salads)
• Excess travel
• Excess talking
• Overuse of the senses (smart phone and social media addiction included)
• Resisting natural urges
• Exposure to cold
• Overexertion
• Multitasking
• Excess sex (sorry, I promise I'm trying to help!).

Things That Encourage Balanced Vata

• Quality rest
• Good routine (sleep, meals, regular bowel movements!)
• Meditation
• Time in Mother Nature
• Oil massage
• Eating fresh, warm, nourishing foods (soups and stews)
• Proper hydration
• Good friends and loving community
• Breeeeaaaaaathe and SLOW DOWN

 

Pitta and Transformation

Pitta is made up predominantly of fire. Have you ever seen an athlete get upset? (Or dare I ask, someone in your own house?) Never, right?! Welcome to pitta! Just like any dosha, pitta has its positives and negatives and is an intrinsic part of athletic performance.

Although a generalization, most athletes are pitta dominant. Pitta gives us the quality of drive and that competitive spirit—the desire to bury your best friend on a tennis court or achieve bragging rights in a “friendly” game of horse. Its tenacity can drive athletes to the top but its potency can equally lead to their demise.

Pitta “burns”—not only your opponent but also yourself if not kept in check.

In the world of athletic performance, pitta oscillates between the victor and the self-saboteur. The trick, as with anything in Ayurveda is balance. Driven and yet not maniacal, competitive but not tyrannical, focused but not obsessed. Pitta can give you that winning edge, but it can also cut you in the process if you get too intense.

Signs That Your Athletic Performance Is Affected by Pitta

• You're getting angry at virtually anything.
• Your performance is never perfect enough, from your perspective.
• You're obsessing over your activity and working too hard.
• You feel frustrated and are about to break something (assuming you haven't already!).
• You're experiencing inflammation—mentally and physically.

Things That Increase Pitta

• Too much heat (hot weather, hot yoga, too much computer work, and so forth)
• Late nights
• Alcohol
• Excess work
• Stress
• Skipping meals
• Food that is spicy or fermented
• Pressure situations

Things That Help Balance Pitta

• Chilling out!
• Coolness—cool weather, cool or cold showers or swimming, cool and soothing foods
• Meditation,
• Activities that inspire calmness
• Moonlit walks, moon gazing, or moonbathing
• Earthing (standing barefoot in good quality damp soil—that might sound whacky, but try it, you'll thank me for it!)
• Good hydration
• Loving relationships
• Fresh, organic, clean foods
• Soothing music

 

Kapha and Stability and Endurance

Ah, sweet, sweet kapha. Where would we be without you? (A ball of swirling flames!) Kapha is that grounding and soothing force in our lives. Think of that nurturing friend of yours who is always there for you, invariably with a cup of tea and some fattening treats.

Kapha is nourishing, lubricating, rejuvenating, and replenishing. It heals us after our athletic endeavors. Kapha gives stability and endurance to our body and steadiness to our mind.

Kapha athletes tend to be consistent. Trouble is, they can be consistently bad or good! It takes work to move kapha as it is the heaviest of the doshas. For that reason, kapha athletes equally tend to be bigger and slower, but also much stronger and with greater stamina than their fellow dosha counterparts. Think of the 300lb+ line backer versus the more speedy and nimble vata/pitta wide-receiver.

Regardless of your dosha, kapha is crucial for enhancing performance by providing routine, a strong foundation, and the fortitude to deal with adversity and losses.

Signs That Your Athletic Performance Is Affected by Kapha

• You don't even have any athletic performance (because you can't get motivated!)
• You feel lethargic and don't want to train.
• Your mind feels cloudy.
• You're getting depressed about your results.
• Eating and drinking seem way more appealing than competing.

Things That Increase Kapha

• Stagnation
• Laziness
• Lethargy
• Cold, heavy foods (dairy)
• Sweet foods
• Cold, damp weather
• Things in excess—overeating, over-drinking, and excess sleep

Things That Encourage Balanced Kapha

• Activity and exercise (get moving!)
• Get up at sunrise
• Eat light, hot, spicy foods
• Get out and about
• Take supportive herbs for energy
• Finding variety in life

The Doshas Working Together

From movement itself (vata), to the drive to exercise (pitta) and your endurance and ability to replenish after (kapha), all three doshas show up in powerful ways to either help you hit your goals, or create stumbling blocks along the way. All the more reason to tune into your doshas and your current state of balance!

When you keep them balanced and humming in sync, it’s that much easier to enhance your inner athlete, regardless of whether you’re a professional or just want to take better care of your body and mind.