Is "Vata" Giving You A Nudge?

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. 

Digging Roots, Building Immunity & Turning Inward

Being in the dirt has always calmed me & brought me peace (well, I am a Taurus).  And while I know getting elbow deep in garden beds isn't everyone's idea of a blissful afternoon there is definitely something about the Autumn season that brings us back into ourselves.  It makes us turn inward, dig deep into our spirits and assess things.

It doesn't only affect humans, all of Nature participates in this action in a way- the plants retreat back into their literal roots to sleep & await the Spring, as do the animals who hibernate through the colder season.

While Spring prompts you to BURST FORTH and create, play, explore, Fall prompts you to slow down, regroup, ground & turn inward.

Here are some of my favorite tips to ease you into the Autumn/Winter months to encourage a happier, healthier mind, body & spirit this coming Spring!

~Eat roots! Rooty veggies are super grounding, nourishing and help you to be very present, grounded and give us that super cozy full feeling in our bellies that we crave this time of year. Try a hearty stew, cassarole or bake!

~Make time for breath/meditation. Nothing grounds & centers you more than your own breath. And it's free! Whether it's 5 minutes a day of quiet breath work & reflection or simply remembering to breathe with intention throughout your day, it makes all the difference.

~Use Mantra. LAM (pronounced like "lama") is the Sanskrit sound for the root chakra.  The root chakra represents our foundation, what supports us, where we come from & our stability.  Chanting this sound in your mind upon waking in the morning or before resting at night will strengthen & balance your root chakra.

~ Make time for reflection. Journaling, meditation & prayer are all ways to clear our heads and make space for peace and quiet. When we still our minds, we get the most insight and inspiration for whatever is going on in our lives. Quietude is an essential part of  work of introspection.

~ Have fun with crystals & aromatherapy! One of my favorite ways to ground and center myself throughout my day is with a crystal in my pocket and an aromatic spritz in my space & on my face!
Crystals that can be helpful for grounding & strengthening the root chakra include: red calcite, petrified wood, pyrite, smokey quartz, red jasper & carnelian- or really any other red or dark colored stone. My favorite essential oils to ground (lately! My preferenceis always changing:)) are Patchouli, Palo Santo, Cinnamon, Cedarwood & Spruce. Think earthy, woodsy smells. These can be combined well with floral scents like Lavender & Clary Sage. But truly it's all about what scents ground YOU.
Whatever you decide use no more than 10-15 drops per ounce container you may be using to spritz yourself. A simple spray bottle filled with water or witch hazel does the trick! Have questions? Don't ever hesitate. (Btw. crystals, aromatherapy, prayer, Mantra, meditation & prayer go REALLY great together:))

~ Move. Nothing brings you more out of your chatter box brain and into your body than movement. Run, skip, dance, hula hoop, ski, snow shoe, ice skate, practice yoga, kick box, belly dance.... whatever speaks to your soul at the moment. But do move, especially during the time of year when it's extra challenging to get yourself up and moving! You'll be glad you did!

~ Make a healing root tonic! This tonic will help boost immunity, cleanse the liver & energize your whole body from the inside out!

Winter Tonic Recipe:
Equal Parts Dried or fresh:
Dandelion rt,
Burdock rt,
Sarsaparilla rt,
Ginger rt,
Yellow Dock rt,
 Braags Apple Cider Vinegar
32oz mason jar
*Optional (Horseradish, Turmeric, Solomon’s Seal, Astragalus, Ginseng…)
If the roots you use are fresh grate or chop them & fill the jar 1/2 way up. If dried fill the jar just about 1/4 way. Follow directions for tinctures above. Pour acv over the herbs just about to the top and poke around with a chop stick. Do your best to eliminate all air bubbles. Once all air bubbles have dispersed fill your jar the rest of the way up, cap tightly and store in a dark cool place for 6-8weeks. Shake daily and give it your love and good intentions! After after 6-8 weeks strain with a cheesecloth into a clean & sanitized 32 oz jar and store in a dark cool place. Take 1 tbs (adult) or 1 tsp (child, elder) daily for most benefit!

Follow all or some of these tips and I promise they'll serve you well through the Fall & Winter for a more grounded, balanced & rejuvenated you this Spring!

xo Amanda


Want more? Sign up for my e-newsletter HERE to receive health and wellness tips, recipes and musings..

*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. 

My Top 11 Tips To Ride Out "Vata Season" As Your Healthiest, Happiest You.

"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


Want more? Sign up for my e-newsletter HERE to receive health and wellness tips, recipes and musings..

*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. 

I Teach Because I Need To Learn Too.

I am always so humbled by the clients & students that I work with. I often learn more from them than any book I could read or any class I could take.
I was once told that teacher's teach what they most need to learn themselves. That's spot on for me.
If you ask any healthcare practitioner why they're so passionate about what they do, I bet they'll share a healing crisis story that they went through, which brought them to the healing arts.
That's how my story began. In fact without my own healing crisis, I don't know that I would have ever found Ayurveda, Herbalism or Reiki of my own accord. But going through the crisis, seeing how these modalities worked first hand AND seeing the amazing results was the best thing that could have happened to me.  That's why I look at disease and imbalance as a blessing in disguise. It's a teacher- one that won't let up until you listen.  Sickness and disease calls you out and makes you look at yourself, your life and asks you "What next? What do you want? It's your call- it's your choice, but something's gotta change." And of course we all answer those questions differently.
So, as I continue to learn and grow in my own personal life, my own healing path, I continue to teach. For me teaching isn't only a way to spread the word of self care and self empowerment for others, but also a reminder to myself- a check in on what I've let fall to the wayside in my own life.
I am by no means perfect. I have the tools and knowledge that I know "I should" do EVERY SINGLE DAY- but do I? No, not always. I fall off the "wagon" sometimes too. And that's part of learning as well. Knowing that health, healing and life is a journey and it's not always- or maybe even ever, perfect.
But every day is an opportunity to live your life in the way YOU want to live it, even if yesterday didn't go that well. The power is in knowing what to do, what tools are at your disposal to get you back on track. And that's what I have for myself and that's what I ABSOLUTELY ADORE sharing with others. I so desperately want people to know that it's ALL IN THEIR HANDS, HEARTS AND SPIRITS, if that's what they decide.  And each of us has to figure out what feels best to them- we all choose differently- and it's all good. We're all on our own path and it's a beautiful thing.
So I guess this rant is to really just take a moment to say THANK YOU to every student, client and drop-in that has ever crossed my path and asked for guidance. You are my mirror, my teacher, my ally and my strength to keep me on my own healing path and to help me to be an even better practitioner to help others. I'm forever grateful to be doing this work with all of you, as a team, as friends, as empowered human beings on this beautiful roller coaster of a ride called life. You fill my heart.
XO AMANDA

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