6 Ways to Love Your Body with Ayurveda
“When we decide that people’s bodies are wrong because we don’t understand them, we are trying to avoid the discomfort of divesting from an entire body-shame system.”
The term “body positivity” is commonly misunderstood and as a result, our understanding of body positivity has been diluted– especially on social media. While it’s great to see people celebrating bodies of all sizes, it's also crucial to remember the movement's roots and the diverse voices it was meant to amplify.
I recently sat down with Kelsey Ellis, a certified fitness trainer, registered holistic nutritionist, and anti-diet educator, to discuss the body positivity movement. In our conversation, Kelsey shared the movement's history which challenges Eurocentric beauty standards to promote a more inclusive view of beauty. I was struck by the many parallels to Ayurveda, going beyond appearance to embrace overall well-being and self-acceptance.
The Intersection of Body Positivity and Ayurveda
Body positivity and Ayurveda share a foundational belief: each person is unique and deserves respect and care tailored to their individual needs. This approach is a powerful antidote to the one-size-fits-all standards often imposed by Western society.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, body positivity aligns with the holistic appreciation of one's unique constitution and the journey towards balance and health. Ayurveda has always recognized the uniqueness of each individual's prakriti (constitution), emphasizing balance over uniformity. Our prakriti is a combination of the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and it dictates our physical, mental, and emotional tendencies.
Ayurveda understands that we need distinct routines, practices, and remedies to support our unique constitutions. For example, a Vata-dominant individual may thrive on grounding routines and warm, nourishing foods, while a Pitta-dominant person might benefit from cooling practices and a calming diet. Recognizing and respecting these differences allows us to embrace our bodies and our needs.
6 Tips for Embracing Body Positivity Through Ayurveda
#1 - Abhyanga (Self-Massage)
This practice involves massaging warm oil into your skin, which not only nourishes the body but also soothes the nervous system and the mind.
Choose oils that align with your constitution or energy type—sesame oil for Vata, coconut oil for Pitta, and almond oil for Kapha. If you’re new to Ayurveda, I don’t recommend focusing on your dosha. But it can be useful, after understanding the basics, to decode your dosha’s traits and qualities.
#2 - Daily Routine (Dinacharya)
Establish a daily routine that includes practices like tongue scraping, oil pulling, and meditation. These rituals ground your day in self-care and reinforce a positive relationship with your body. By creating a routine that respects your body’s natural rhythms, you cultivate a deeper connection and appreciation for your unique self.
#3 - Listen to Your Body
Ayurveda teaches us to eat according to our hunger and to choose foods that balance our doshas. Notice how different foods make you feel and adjust your diet to support your body’s needs. This mindful approach to eating fosters body positivity by encouraging you to honor your body’s signals and nourish it appropriately. Learn more about the Principle of Ayurvedic Eating to align your meals to nature’s rhythms.
#4 - Eat Seasonally
Just as our bodies change, so do our needs throughout the year. Embrace seasonal foods that align with the current season’s qualities, which helps maintain balance and harmony within the body. Seasonal eating promotes respect for your body’s changing needs, reinforcing the body positivity message of self-acceptance and adaptability.
#5 - Personalize Your Exercise Routine
Choose physical activities that suit your body type and current state of balance. For example, a Kapha person might benefit from vigorous exercise, while a Vata person should opt for more grounding practices like yoga or walking. This can change seasonally too. In hotter months, it’s best to do slower movements and workout in the coolest parts of the day, for example. Personalized exercise supports body positivity by encouraging you to engage in physical activity that feels good for your body rather than conforming to external standards.
#6 - Joyful Movement
Engage in activities that bring you joy and make you feel good about your body. This could be dancing, hiking, swimming, or any other form of movement that you enjoy. I always recommend yoga, of course. That said, don’t be fooled by the idea that only athletic people can practice yoga! On the contrary, if you can breathe, you can practice yoga.
Joyful movement helps you celebrate what your body can do, fostering a positive relationship with your body and enhancing self-acceptance.
Body positivity is about more than just accepting your appearance; it’s about embracing every aspect of yourself. It also means celebrating bodies that aren’t traditionally valued by society.
I hope you’ll accept this invitation to treat your body with compassion and cultivate a profound sense of communal acceptance.
Be well,
Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD
