लये संबोधयेत् चित्तं विक्षिप्तं शमयेत् पुनः।
सकशायं विजानीयात् समप्राप्तं न चालयेत् ॥

Transliteration:
laye saṃbodhayet cittaṃ vikṣiptaṃ śamayet punaḥ।
sakaśāyaṃ vijānīyāt samaprāptaṃ na cālayet॥

English Translation:
When the mind is in a stage of dullness, stimulate and awaken it. When the awakened mind thus becomes turbulent, calm it down. In the process, recognize the dirt that has surfaced. When the mind reaches a state of equanimity, do not disturb it further.​

14.1 Relaxation and Exercise

Relaxation is a state where you do not perform any physical or mental activity. You try to keep your mind away from all sorts of thoughts. You talk to yourself and your body to understand what all is going inside you. It is a form of talking to the Universe. It is essential to calming down your psyche.

Some beneficial relaxing exercises that you can practice to combat stress and achieve fulfilment are as follows:

• Chi Kung is a Chinese exercise for relaxation. It is a kind of moving meditation. It is done by coordinating slow-flowing movement along with deep rhythmic breathing in an open area. It is considered to be a great way to calm your mind and achieve a meditative state of mind.
• Jin ji du lin is also a Chinese exercise which was traditionally part of martial arts. However, this exercise has proved to be helpful in relaxation and fighting minor diseases and imbalances.
• Hugging a tree provides you with emotional relief. It awakens a sense of peace and calm inside you. It makes you feel connected to nature and makes you realise the power of nature. Hugging a tree is a great way of talking to nature and embracing your own self.
• Nadi Shodhana Pranayama is a simple and popular breathing exercise. Nadi means a subtle energy; shodhana means flow of movement; pranayama means breathing. This activity helps in clearing the blocked channels of energy in the body.

From the vast number of soul soothing exercises that exist, meditation is an effective and simple one. It holds healing benefits to both the mind and body.

14.2 Significance of Meditation

MEDIATION IS A PRACTICE IN WHICH YOU TRAIN YOUR MIND AND INDUCE IT TO CONSCIOUSNESS. IT IS DONE SO TO REALIZE SOME MENTAL BENEFIT OR FOR YOUR MIND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOUGHTS.

Meditation is really beneficial for everyone, throughout the year. However, there are times when you can easily refocus on your goals and life. Meditation helps to release the mind with all random thoughts, traumas of the past and expands your awareness. Meditation is the best way of self introspection and connecting your soul to the Universe.

Meditation primarily is laid upon the foundation of alignment of awareness with your inner Self. It deals with witnessing the movement of the body, senses of the mind and the silence of your soul. This helps you to detach yourself from the negative karmic patterns. Meditation helps you to witness your emotions- it helps in expressing them rather than suppressing them.

14.2.1 Meditation as per your Dosha type

Vata – Japa Meditation
Rhythmic meditation is one of the most effective forms of meditation. Establishing rhythms helps an overactive and restless mind. The japa meditation produces repetitive sounds which slows down your mind and improves focus. While using mala beads for this meditation is a great option, it can also be carried out without the same.

Pitta – Meditation through Breathing
People characterised by Pitta dosha seek peace and calmness. Excessive pitta leads to irritation and frustration, for which meditation through breathing is an effective tool that helps refresh the mind. It tends to drive you away from a typical planning and organizing state of mind and gradually puts your mind in a state of tranquility.

Kapha – Walking Meditation
Those characterised by Kapha meditation are generally heavy and thick, which can lead to sluggishness, lethargy and foggy thinking. Hence, using meditation techniques that have mobility are great for them. Walking meditation is one such mobile meditation which enhances focus and improves mental clarity.

Throughout each of these steps taken to better improve ourselves, it must not be forgotten that the individual and their environment is seamlessly interlinked. This does not only apply to immediate natural elements – such as the trees, birds and animals – but also to human beings with whom we interact. By this explanation, the concept of Karma (stating that ‘what goes around, comes around) is intrinsic to Ayurveda.

Another excellent tool that incorporates meditation and relaxation for well-being is Yoga. Chapter 15 which follows this one introduces certain asanas in yoga, which can have immense benefits on your mental and physical health. 

Take a look at the broader course outline here. 

Scroll down to ask questions relating to this chapter.