Vata Dosha is Upon Us: How do we stay balanced?

The temperatures are falling, the farmers have cleared their fields and prepared the soil for the cold winter months. We are feeling the cold in our bodies and in our bones. For some, one can begin to feel scattered and anxious throughout.

Of the Five Elements Vata is made up of Air & Space. The air that surrounds us in the fall is one of movement. The blustery days when you pull the collar up or wrap a warm scarf around your neck to stave off the cold. Air is light and so is easily moved. Air fills our lungs, fuels the body, bringing a sense of openness. 

When the Vata Dosha is balanced a person is creative, flexible/adaptable, and imaginative. On the other hand, what it is out of balance a person may have the feeling of being ungrounded, anxious, and have insomnia. 

I have read that the Vata Dosha (Ayurvedic Teachings) is the " Queen of Change:" our skins becomes dry, our digestion can become irregular, we begin the time of holiday celebrations which can be very unpredictable. As a result, we feel scattered, frenetic, and increasingly anxious; which can lead to constipation, anxiety, and poor circulation. To counter this feeling, to balance the effects of the Vata Dosha we need to become grounded, to stick to a routine. 

We can counteract the effects of too much vata by working with the opposing energy of the earth element in our yoga practice. Winter brings about the dry and windy elements of your body. Grounding poses, coupled with movements that can also support your lungs and ears, help ease the seasonal transition. Focus on slowly and steadily warming your body with standing poses and joint rotations, then ease onto the ground for stability and strengthening. Practice this gentle flow to help support both your mind and body throughout the season.

Do you need to balance Vata?

Vata dosha governs flow and motion in the body. Answer these questions to see if you need to balance Vata.

1. Is your skin dry, rough, thin?
2. Are you underweight?
3. Is your mind constantly in a whirl?
4. Do you worry incessantly?
5. Are you constantly restless or agitated?
6. Do you experience constipation?
7. Do you suffer from insomnia?
8. Do you suffer from vaginal dryness?
9. Do you have spells of forgetfulness?
10. Do you experience discomfort in the joints?
11. Are you easily fatigued?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you need to balance Vata.

How do we balance our bodies during this time?

• Eat

  1. Healthy fats. Ghee is every Vata's best friend, especially during windy and cool Vata season. Consume as many healthy fats as possible. This can include: raw milk, olive oil, nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), avocado, and of course the golden elixir of life, ghee.
  2. Warm, cooked and heavy foods. Stick to warm and easily digestible meals such as stews, soups, basmati or brown or wild rice, dahl, and cooked root vegetables.
  3. Hot, nourishing beverages. Spiced teas such as ginger, licorice, and cinnamon are balancing for light and airy Vata. To make a wonderful turmeric milk: melt 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/2 teaspoon of cardamon powder in one cup of warm milk, on the stove. When the spices have assimilated into the milk, add 1 tsp of raw honey. This delicious beverage helps with immunity and calms the nerves. It will also help with sound sleep.
  4. Spices. These exotic Ayurvedic spices not only taste amazing, they are also energetically warming and grounding - and Vata-pacifying. Additionally, they help with digestion, which Vata may struggle with. Try: turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, black pepper, or saffron.
  5. Broths. Sip on homemade vegetable broth, chicken broth, bone broth, as the weather cools. It is also a good idea to drink warm water throughout the day.

  Avoid

1. Raw foods and salads. These are difficult to digest in Vata season, and will unbalance you during this time. Summer (Pitta season) is the best time to eat raw vegetables.
2. Bitter, astringent and pungent foods. Indulge instead in sweet, salty and sour tastes, which will balance Vata.
3. Leftovers, raw foods, canned foods, processed foods - these will aggravate Vata. Eating fresh, homemade, sattvic meals is best for Vata types.
4. Coffee and caffeinated tea. Especially for Vata-dominant types, these are too stimulating. Consume in moderation.
5. Dry snack foods. This includes chips, popcorn, crackers, and dry, cold cereal

1. (Dietary Pointers taken from "Ayurveda Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Fall: Transitioning into Vata Season": https://www.naoayurveda.com/blog/2015/10/29/ayurveda-diet-and-lifestyle-tips-for-fall-transitioning-into-vata-season)

Resources

Vatta Chart: https://akhandayoga.com/blog/pacify-winds-fall-ayurveda/
What is Vata Dosha? :http://www.mapi.com/ayurvedic-knowledge/doshas/vata.html
https://www.naoayurveda.com/blog/2015/10/29/ayurveda-diet-and-lifestyle-tips-for-fall-transitioning-into-vata-season

"Get Grounded: An Autumn Yoga Sequence for Calm and Stability," https://www.balancegarden.co.uk/blog/autumn-yoga-sequence