"Vata", "Pitta" and "Kapha" are the 3 energies or "doshas" recognized in Ayurveda that show themselves in all areas of our lives including our physical, mental & spiritual selves, time of day, foods, herbs and even the seasons of the year. Vata Season begins from now until late winter.
Vata energy is erratic, cold, dry, creative, kinetic, fast, changeable & excited.
We can see these elements in the environment around us in the Fall especially if you live in the North East as the leaves change, the breeze picks up, the temperature drops and the fast pace of the impending Holidays are inching our way.
In the physical body Vata rules the colon & elimination as well the nervous system. In the mind Vata rules creativity & love of knowledge as well as fear, anxiety & worry.
Each one of us has Vata energy within us, just in varying degrees. If you have a lot of Vata energy in your physical and mental make up, it may look like this:
You may experience:
*Sensitivity to sound
*Dry hair, skin & nails
*Cracking achy joints
*Tendency to rush from project to project, running late for appointments
*Aversion to cold
*Scattered thoughts & forgetfulness
*You love reading books & have 5+ books started but none finished...yet:)
*Forget to eat & skip meals
*Insomnia or poor sleep
*Tendency toward worry & fearful thoughts
*Gas, constipation, dry hard stools
*Painful, erratic menstrual cycles
*Muscular spasms
Whether you have a predominance of Vata in your individual make up or not, when we move into Vata season, "Vata energy" is heightened in all of us.
During this time it's in our best interest to tame and balance our own Vata tendencies as best we can as we move through the Fall & Winter season.
How do we make peace with Vata?
Think all things warm, naturally sweet, cozy, grounded, easy, organized, well oiled, gentle, planned, peaceful...
1. Eat cooked food.
Put away the salad, get out the soup. Remember we are avoiding adding more of the cold, dry, raw Vata energy.
If you must have your raw greens, be sure to dress them with a good amount of oil in vinegar as this will make it easier and "warmer" for you to digest during Vata Season.
Naturally sweet, sour & salty foods are best for balancing Vata.
2. Turn up the heat.
Cook with warming spices: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin & turmeric... Don't skimp:)
These herbs are packed with antioxidants, antimicrobials, taste great and will aid in circulation, detox, digestion and energy.
3. Nix the Ice & HYDRATE
Drink Warm (or at least room temp.) water with fresh ginger.
Add lemon or lime too if you like.
This is the perfect beverage to amp up digestion, metabolism and move waste from the body. If nothing else get at lease 1 8oz. mug of ginger tea in before for you have anything else in the AM.
Whatever you do keep hydrated 1/2 your body weight in ounces ya hear?
4. Oil Up.
Self massage is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
Whether you can manage a quick head to toe oil rub down before hopping in the shower (any unrefined oil will do- warmed or room temp. is up to you), or if you can only manage to fit in a nice foot rub before hopping in bed at night- do it.
Abhyanga (self massage) soothes the nerves, strengthens the skin & aids in daily detox.
Eating healthy fats is also a key component in keeping your physical body well lubricated during the dry, cold vata season.
Focus on butter or ghee (clarified butter), avocados, olive oil, coconut in all its forms, hemp seeds, flax seeds, cod, mackerel, salmon and supplementing with Omega 3's.
5. Follow a Routine.
Your body wants a routine. Set alarms if you have to. Your most important meal is lunch- make it your largest and eat it before 2pm.
Our natural clock is at it's happiest rising no later than 7am and going to bed no later than 11pm.
This may sound wacky but give it a whirl.
Waking and retiring at specific times allows our bodies to detoxify & rejuvenate as we sleep.
Staying up past 11, is when we'll often get our "second wind". I know you know what I'm talking about:)
This "second wind" is really the energy our bodies need to allow our organs to detox- not have a night cap and answer a few more emails.
Eat consistently & sleep consistently. Try it you'll like it:)
6. Go Easy On the Caffeine.
Drinking too much caffeine isn't great for anyone, but especially those who have high Vata.
Try switching to green tea or yerba mate a few days a week- or go super green and try one of my favorite herbal allies Nettle- She'll give you the energy boost you need without the caffeine- MY PROMISE.
7.Make Friends With the Neti Pot.
It's really not scary.
It's something you just have to try, and then you'll realize how simple and easy it is.
The neti flushes excess mucous, microbes & bacteria from our sinus & nasal passages keeping all those nasty bugs & flus at bay.
Try it you'll be happy you did-especially those of you who are "sinus" imbalance prone.
8. Try Yoga.
Yoga (there are lots of kinds- so try more than one!) is a wonderfully grounding, peaceful yet powerful and cardio pumping practice (if you do it right!).
I find it particularly helpful for bringing more balance to the erratic, chaotic and sometimes crazy energy Vata can instill in our lives.
If you can't make it to class try a youtube video- it's free! And if not yoga, move your body in SOME way, any way for at least 15 min daily.
9. STOP and BREATHE
Whether it's a 30 minute meditation or 5 minutes upon waking or before you go to bed, intentional breath is of the utmost importance.
Anytime you think of it, stop and breath with intention- especially when you're stressed waiting in traffic, in line getting groceries or when you're have a difficult discussion. It makes all the difference.
10. Go Green:
Here are my favorite Vata herbal allies:(found at any good natural food store)
*Ashwagandha: take 8oz of milk (any milk will do your pick) a tsp of ashwagandha, add a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom & turmeric and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat add a bit of maple syrup or raw honey to taste and drink before bed. This brew will relax you to sleep while it rebuilds your reserves as you rest.
*Gotu Kola, Rose, Sacred Basil Tea: So to your natural foods store and buys these herbs in bulk. Add equal parts of each herb and mix together. Add 1 tsp per 8oz mug steeped at least 15min. This blend will ground, center & bring a peaceful disposition to your mind & body.
*Triphala: Probably the weirdest tasting of all Ayurvedic herbs but one of the most powerful. If you feel really out of whack and need a "reboot", take 1/2 tsp of triphala powder in 4oz of warm water drunk before bed. It will cleanse you from head to toe & is a gentle laxative. Please only use triphala when you are thoughtfully eating as well ie: cutting out sugar, alcohol, processed foods etc. as it's meant to aid in a gentle detox.
11. Breathe & Ride the Wave
Fall is a crazy busy time- no doubt. The most important thing we can do is focus on enjoying it right?
The country fairs, the foliage, the holiday cooking, time spent with friends and family. Soak it all up, leave the stress behind and breathe.
The more we breathe with intention and surrender to the moment - whatever it brings the more we can fully enjoy our crazy lives to the fullest. Focus on what's important and focus on what feeds your spirit. Forget about the rest:)
May your Vata Season be warm, cozy, peaceful, healthy and bliss-filled! xo Amanda
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*The information shared on this blog is for educational purposes only. If you are pregnant, nursing, have serious health condition or are taking prescriptive medication please consult your healthcare practitioner before using herbal supplements.
