I love Ayurveda. It's what propelled me into the world of health & healing, and well, it just makes perfect sense.
In a very brief nutshell, according to Ayurveda, there are 3 major energies/qualities that are present in all of life:
Vata, pitta & kapha.
Every person, plant, animal, season, time of day, color, food, herb... you name it - they're ruled by & contain these three "doshas" in some way, shape or form.
Right now we are in the thick of "vata" season which runs from the end of September until around March.
Vata is made of the elements air & either. This makes the energy of vata very changeable & sometimes erratic. Vata energy is un-grounded, dry, cold, erratic, creative, fast paced, excited and irregular.
We can see the energy of Vata this time of year in our environment as the leaves have changed, dried out and fallen off of the trees. The air is cold & dry, and the wind that tends to predominate this time of year gives us the feeling of that un-grounded erratic, excited movement of vata.
When we are in the season of a specific dosha, it tends to be the case that the same dosha within us will become out of balance if we're not mindful. So because we're in vata season presently, we're more apt to see vata imbalances in our lives.
Because vata rules & controls the balance of the other doshas, pitta & kapha when we focus on supporting and balancing our vata dosha as best we can, it also serves our other 2 doshas as well- yay!
So what does imbalanced vata dosha look like in our day to day lives?
Vata rules the colon first and foremost in our physical body as well as having a strong connection to our nervous system- which let's face it touches every aspect of our body!
If vata is giving you a "nudge" that it needs some lovin' care it may look like:
-constipation & or IBS with constipation
-digestive cramping/gas
-sharp pains in the body
-dry, cracking joints & arthritic conditions
-dry hair, skin & nails
-irregular menses/painful menses
-spasms in the body (ie: muscle cramps, restless leg syndrom)
-insomnia/unsettled sleep
-anxiety/worried/fearful mental state
-hyperthyroidism
-exhastion/adrenal fatigue
-random weight loss
-sensitivity to sound
Here are some sure ways to bring your vata to a more balanced & peaceful state:
-Follow a routine
Vata is erratic so adhering to even just a little bit of a routine will help to ground this "run around with your head cut off" energy that vata rules. Simple things like when to wake up & retire is a good place to start.
-Eat
Skipping meals is one of the worst things to do during vata season. Get 3 meals in every day - at the same time of day preferably and stick to naturally sweet (yams, corn, chicken, rice), salty (celery, seaweeds, olives, unprocessed sea salt), and sour (cranberries, pomegranate, citrus, sauerkraut, kombucha) foods. These flavors calm & support vata dosha. Oh- and cook your food! Vata needs all it can get for warmth & fire as it's already cold & dry. Raw foods are best left out of the picture especially if you veer toward gas and hard bunny pellet like stools (typcial vata). Think soups, casseroles, stir fries & paninis this time of year!
-Oil up
On the inside & outside! Remember vata is dry and brittle so adding moisture in all forms is key. Healthy fats/oil are one of the best things to lubricate vata. Start eating more avocados, unrefined oils like coconut, olive, hemp, flax, butter & ghee, nutbutters & soaked seeds..
Abhyanga is the external application of oil to the skin before showering each day - or at least to your feet before you retire.
Sesame oil is the more nourishing and grounding for vata, but coconut or sunflower is a little bit lighter and more easily absorbable if you find sesame to heavy.
Simple apply a thin coating of oil from head to toe by pouring quarter sized amounts of oil into your palm and rubbing in brisk up and down motions into your skin toward your heart. Hop in the shower & let the heat & water open your pores up to absorb the oil into your skin- no need to wash off. Just rub it in- remember oil is a wonderful cleanser:) Use soap & water on your armpits & nether regions only.
If nighttime works better for you simply apply a quarter to silver dollar amounts of oil to each foot, rubbing it in thoroughly. Put on socks if you have fancy sheets, and off to sleepy land you go. Rubbing your feet can be extremely nourishing & calming to the nervous system- this is a must for those experiencing insomnia & anxiety daily.
Relax & Breathe
Because people high in vata imbalance are usually running around like a crazy person ( you might not even notice this because you're so used to it!) Stopping, sitting and breathing can be so very important- for everyone- but especially when vata dosha is running a muck.
Whether it's making time to just breathe 5-10 deep full inhales & exhales first thing in the morning before you even get out of bed, or just before you close your eyes to go to sleep, intentional breathing is so important.
What is intention breathing? It means bringing awareness to your breath, to breathe on purpose. Obviously, we don't need to think about breathing, but when we do, it becomes that much more powerful & healing to our bodies. When we breathe we are literally communicating to all the cells in our body, especially our nervous system, that all is well. Stuck in traffic? In line at the grocery store? Breathe, breathe, breathe.
Move Your Body-But Not Too Much!
People with a "cranky" vata dosha often work out TOO much. Veer toward movement & exercise that is calming and grounding Yoga, Tai Chi, swimming, walking or lite jogging. Try not to be excessive as if you have a high vata presence in your life- you're already in overdrive! It's time to slow down... just a tad:)
Drink Water
Vata is dry remember? 1/2 your body weight in water is a must - but especially during the Winter/vata season.
Add fresh grated or chopped ginger to taste & lime with warm water first thing in the morning before you drink or eat ANYTHING else. This will wake up your "digestive fire" or agni, warm up your circulation, clear out toxins, boost metabolism, and give your colon a little "push" to get things moving in the AM even BEFORE that cup of coffee!
Drink this all day if you like - but please do get that water in ( No ice please! Save that for the Summer:))
Play
Vata is creative, imaginative & innovative and loves to learn & explore. Make time for this- cause we're all still kids at heart after all.
Dance, craft, cook, read, take a class, create! Do whatever feeds your spirit. Give your inner vata child a place to let loose & be free.
Here's to happy vata season! xo Amanda
Questions? Comments? Curiosities? Don't hesitate.
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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.
